Lord of the Highlands, Orcadian Adventure ex Wick to Inverness

7 Night Cruise sailing from Wick to Inverness aboard Lord of the Highlands.

World Heritage Interest Cruise

Ruled by the Scandinavian crown until 1468, when the archipelago was ceded to Scotland under a marriage settlement, Orkney remains Nordic in culture. In the comfort of Lord of the Highlands, experience its magical prehistoric sites, extraordinary birdlife and incredible seascapes on a stunning summer cruise around the beautiful Orkney Isles.

Steaming the Pentland Firth, we head for Stromness where Skara Brae awaits. Orkney’s finest Neolithic settlement gives a remarkable picture of life 5,000 years ago. Covering thousands of years of history, Skaill House is renowned for its contribution to Orkney’s diverse and exciting past.

Around 5,000 years ago, the prehistoric people of Orkney began building monuments out of stone and many still survive today. Explore the stone circles and chambered tombs at the Heart of Neolithic Orkney. The Scapa Flow Museum tells the story of Orkney’s military involvement during both world wars and houses a major collection of wartime artefacts.

Visit the Churchill Barriers, built by Italian prisoners of war, and their enduring memorial, the delightful Italian Chapel, constructed out of two Nissen huts. Britian’s most northerly cathedral, St Magnus in Kirkwall is known as the ‘Light in the North’, whilst the Bishop’s and Earl’s Palaces are regarded as two of the finest examples of architecture in Scotland.

Explore the hidden gem of Gordon Castle Estate, situated between the River Spey and the Moray Coast. Contrast the magnificent turreted Brodie Castle, ancestral home to the Brodie Clan for over 400 years, and the romantic Highland 14th century home of the Thanes of Cawdor.

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.