Scotland's Highlands & Islands Cruise - Peregrine Travel Centre

Description

Selected as a National Geographic Traveler magazine “Tour of a Lifetime” for its authenticity, immersion, sustainability, and connection, our Highlands and Islands expedition offers the most encompassing way to explore Scotland.

The highlights and seldom-seen Scotland
The only expedition of its kind, you’ll explore Scotland as few people have on an encompassing and enchanting voyage. Purpose-built for these waters, our gracious ship, Lord of the Glens is able to fit through narrow canals and stepped locks in the heart of the country and also navigate among the islands and their small communities along the coast. The result is a panoramic voyage, a rare expedition that offers an immersive, in-depth experience at a comfortable pace. See what it’s like.

Experience the sweep of history
You’ll walk among ancient stone monuments, weave your way through ruins of fantastic castles, and stroll through a sacred abbey. Learn the legacy of 1,300-year-old clans and visit the cemetery of Scottish monarchs. Experience the charm of modern Scotland through live music on board and a special visit to the tiny Isle of Eigg, home to about 90 souls. Your cultural experiences.

Travel in excellent company
Explore under the sure guidance of a veteran expedition leader, a historian, and a naturalist. Their knowledge and passion for Scotland is the key to your once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Trip Name

Scotland's Highlands & Islands Cruise

Days

Overview

Vessel Type: Luxury Small Ship Length: 46 metres Passenger Capacity: 48 Built: 1985 Until recently, size-limiting locks prevented travelers from seeing the Highlands from the remarkable vantage point of the inland waterway that links Scotland's most famous lochs. Now, with the style of a classic luxury yacht, the 48-guest Lord of the Glens journeys through this spectacular countryside in spectacular style. The moment you step aboard the Lord of the Glens you are surrounded by the rich mahogany finishes of the reception area and lobby. The ship is magnificently appointed and brings to mind that one is in a stately country manor rather than a five-star ship. Cabins: Cabins are tasteful, comfortable and spacious with wonderful outside views. Most cabins have large picture windows (four have two large portholes). Facilities include a private bathroom with shower, individually controlled air-conditioning and heating, satellite television, music system, hairdryer, telephone, safety deposit box, bathrobes and toiletries. Public Areas: With all round teak decks, hardwood finished interiors and fine fabrics, the Lord of the Glens offers a stylish and relaxing ambience. The two lounges and two open-air viewing areas are social hubs aboard shop, and the small library and cozy bar are a refuge for the more solitary. Meals: Served in the elegant single-seating Dining Room. Chefs create healthy, delicious cuisine served by an attentive staff. Some deck plans vary, please check for detials.

Itinerary

Day 1 - DAY 1: Inverness

Arrive in Inverness, and embark Lord of the Glens to the strains of a highland piper. Tonight, enjoy a reception and dinner on board while docked in Inverness. (D)

Day 2 - DAY 2: Culloden/Clava Cairns/Loch Ness/Fort Augustus

Visit Culloden, the infamous battlefield where Bonnie Prince Charlie’s Jacobite forces were defeated in 1746. The battle was brief but bloody and decisive, with as many as 2,000 Jacobites killed or wounded. It had drastic consequences for the Scotland Highlands and was followed by the infamous Highland Clearances that saw the mass explusion of Catholic clansmen from their homes, and in many cases, from their country. Our visit includes both the battlefield and the award-winning visitor center, the National Trust for Scotland's flagship site. See the standing stones and passage tombs of Clava Cairns, dating from the early Bronze Age. The impressive structures of this sacred site were developed for over a thousand years. This afternoon, set sail on the Caledonian Canal, built between 1803 and 1822 to connect Loch Linnhe with the three other lochs that lie in the slip fault of the Great Glen. Enter Loch Ness, where we’ll learn about the legendary monster said to inhabit the loch. Ascend an impressive flight of locks that run through the heart of Fort Augustus to moor at the top of the village. Set out on a hike this evening. (B,L,D)

Day 3 - DAY 3: Laggan Locks/Corpach/Glenfinnan

Continue along the Caledonian Canal, ascending to 106 feet at Laggan Lock, after gliding along the tree-lined canal known as Laggan Avenue. Sail onward across picturesque Lochs Oich and Lochy before descending Neptune's Staircase, a set of eight interconnected locks dropping 64 feet to the sea loch at Corpach. From Corpach, drive to Glenfinnan to explore the spectacularly scenic location now famous for Harry Potter, or chose to explore Loch Linnhe by kayak from our moorings in the shadow of Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain. (B,L,D)

Day 4 - DAY 4: Loch Linnhe/Oban

Lord of the Glens descends Neptune’s Staircase, a set of eight interconnected locks, and continues through Loch Linnhe to the town of Oban, set on a picturesque bay on the Firth of Lorn. We’ll have time to explore this lively town on foot, visiting a whisky distillery and McCaig’s Tower, a monument on a hill overlooking the town and bay that was inspired by the Roman Colosseum. (B,L,D)

Day 5 - DAY 5: Sound of Mull / Duart Castle / Iona / Tobermory

This morning we sail to the Isle of Mull, in the Inner Hebrides. Visit photogenic Duart Castle, an impressive fortress (with a dungeon!). Drive across Mull, then cross to Iona by ferry to explore this picturesque island. Visit the medieval abbey ruins and the rebuilt abbey church, and learn about the ecumenical movement based there. Stroll through St. Oran’s Chapel and the royal graveyard where generations of Scottish kings are buried, and enjoy a brief walking tour of Iona. Continue on to the picturesque town of Tobermory, with time in the evening to explore this colorful place if you wish. (B, L, D)

Day 6 - DAY 6: Tobermory/Isle of Eigg or Isle of Rum/Inverie

This morning, explore Tobermory’s lively quayside on your own or on a walk led by our staff. Then we sail north to tiny Eigg, catching glimpses of the islands of the Inner Hebrides along the way. At Eigg you can get a sense of what life is like for the roughly 90 people who live on this island community. Look for marine animals and birdlife, including Atlantic seals, minke whales, dolphins, porpoises and a variety of seabirds. Alternatively, we may visit the Isle of Rum, renowned for spectacular Kinloch Castle. Then sail to the tiny village of Inverie, where you can have a drink at the most remote pub in the British Isles. (B,L,D)

Day 7 - DAY 7: Isle of Skye/Kyle of Lochalsh

Continue north to the Isle of Skye. At the Museum of the Isles, trace the legacy of the 1,300-year-old Clan MacDonald, the Lords of the Isles, who once ruled the west coast of Scotland. See the ruins of Armadale Castle, ancestral home of the MacDonalds, and take a walk through the beautiful woodlands and gardens. Then sail for Kyle of Lochalsh, where afternoon options include a guided walk on Balmacara Estate or explorations of Eilean Donan Castle. Celebrate your voyage with a farewell dinner onboard. (B,L,D)

Day 8 - DAY 8: Kyle of Lochalsh/Disembark/Inverness/Depart

Disembark in Kyle of Lochalsh and drive through the highlands to Inverness. Then transfer to the airport for your return flight home. (B)

Day 9 - Please Note:

All day-by-day breakdowns are a sampling of the places we intend to visit, conditions permitting.

Trip Dates

Start	End	Price From	Room Type

Inclusions

Sail through the heart of Scotland via the Caledonian Canal that bisects the country, plus explore remote and beautiful islands of the Inner Hebrides
Kayak Loch Ness, see the storied battlefield of Culloden, beautiful Glenfinnan, the historic Isle of Iona, and the isles of Mull, Eigg, and Skye
Travel to hauntingly beautiful moorlands, grand castles, sacred abbeys, and sweeping mountains.