Lord of the Highlands, Highlands in Bloom ex Kyle of Lochalsh to Inverness

Garden Themed Cruise

Guest Speaker: Jim Gardiner - Jim Gardiner VMH is a former Director of Horticulture and is a Vice President of the Royal Horticultural Society. He has worked and trained in horticulture all his life including the RBG Edinburgh, Curator of the Harold Hillier Gardens and the RHS Garden Wisley. He has written books on magnolias and flowering shrubs, sits on the RHS Woody Plant and the IDS Education and Scientific Committees and is a Trustee of the Tree Register of the British Isles.

Scotland boasts a diverse collection of gardens which are home to a vast collection of plants from around the world, in spectacular natural settings. Experience the rich diversity of Scotland’s west coast gardens and explore botanic beauty on this horticultural extravaganza. Visit some of the area’s best kept secrets including Attadale in Wester Ross and Ardchattan Priory.

Attadale Gardens were skilfully restored by their owner Nick MacPherson as an artist’s garden after the 1980 storm, with an impressive sculpture collection scattered throughout the 20 acre site. Sail the coast of Sutherland to Gairloch to visit Sir Osgood Mackenzie’s masterpiece, Inverewe Garden, home to over 2,500 exotic and tropical species of plant and shrub. Originally laid out by Lord Macdonald in the early 19th century, the woodland gardens at Armadale Castle allow you to wander amidst 40 acres of trees, shrubs and flowers and take in panoramic views in a peaceful oasis. Ardchattan Priory Garden, originally planted by medieval monks, affords breathtaking views over Loch Etive to Mull and Ben Cruachan. After sailing Loch Linnhe, you reach the Caledonian Canal at Corpach and ascend the eight locks of Neptune’s Staircase. Onwards through Lochs Lochy and Oich before transiting the tranquil, tree-lined Laggan Avenue to your overnight berth at Fort Augustus. A scenic sail of Loch Ness leads you to your final visit at Cawdor Castle Gardens, forever immortalised in Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth.’ The castle boasts three very different gardens each with their own unique history and appearance. Displaying a wealth of flora and fauna, the gardens at Cawdor Castle are ever changing with the seasons.


Itinerary:

Day 1:
Kyle of Lochalsh – Embarkation.

Day 2:
Kyle of Lochalsh – Attadale Gardens.
Sail to Gairloch.

Day 3:
Gairloch – Inverewe Garden.
Sail to Inverie.

Day 4:
Armadale, Skye – Armadale Castle Gardens.
Sail to Craignure, Mull.

Day 5:
Oban – Ardchattan Priory Garden.
Sail Loch Linnhe to Corpach.

Day 6:
Transit Neptune’s Staircase and cruise the Caledonian Canal to Fort Augustus.

Day 7:
Cruise the Caledonian Canal and Loch Ness.
Inverness – Cawdor Castle Gardens.

Day 8:
Inverness - Disembarkation.

The challenge as with her sister vessel ‘Lord of the Glens’ was to craft a vessel that could both transit the intricate waters of the Caledonian Canal as well as navigate the sheltered waters around Scotland’s hauntingly beautiful fretted west coast, the result being the splendid ‘Lord of the Highlands’. Its elegance calls to mind that of a luxury yacht.

There are 19 outward facing state cabins spread over two decks each named with references to John Buchan’s “THIRTY-NINE STEPS”. Each cabin is finished in hardwood finishes, plush carpeting, dressing table, stool, wardrobe, satellite tv, and en suite facilities with shower, wc and washbasin. All state cabins are air conditioned and heated with an internal telephone and picture windows.

All sailings are made during daylight hours and overnight moorings are alongside with no tendering required. At each port of call there is time to independently explore as well as a programme of included shore visits. Dependent on the itinerary these include Culloden & Clava Cairns, West Highline Line to Glenfinnan, Isle of Iona, Clan Donald Centre on Skye and Eilean Donan Castle.

The cuisine is excellent, freshly prepared onboard by a loyal and long serving brigade of chefs, drawing on the rich bounty of locally sourced produce. What could be more delightful than to awake to the prospect of a full scottish breakfast and for early risers to take advantage of the complimentary hot beverages that await in the lounge and for that matter for the rest of the day as well?

Lord of the Highlands was constructed by Spanish craftsmen in Vigo for completion in July 2019 but will only enter passenger service in May 2020.

Hebridean Island Cruises has been setting the benchmark for luxury cruising since 1989. Featuring some of the finest Privately Escorted Tours, our small, five star luxury cruise ship – Hebridean Princess – affords our guests the highest standards of luxury cruise ship accommodation, together with a level of service from an almost forgotten era.

Each all-inclusive cruise is carefully planned by our own highly experienced researchers, whose brief is to capture the cultural essence and historical significance of each port of call.

Hebridean Princess, the small cruise ship which re-introduced the ‘Golden Age of Cruising’ nineteen years ago, will show you the dramatic coast of Scotland and the Western Isles and Norway from the best possible vantage point.

Outstanding service, fine cuisine, unusually spacious cabins and some of the most elegant public rooms afloat, the Hebridean Experience offers you the most relaxing luxury holiday you could wish for. An all-inclusive tariff, the very best in personal service, and some of the finest Privately Escorted Tours all tailored to be as individual as you are.