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Scotland
Navigate the locks and canals that cut through the Scottish Highlands and sail to the Inner Hebrides, visiting charming coastal villages and ancient castle ruins.
Overview
A truly unforgettable voyage
Venture deep into the Scottish Highlands with its indigo-blue, moody lochs to verdant hills and rounded glens to see firsthand why nature is at the center of the Scottish Gaelic language. Sail through locks and canals to the heart of the Highlands aboard our luxurious ship aptly named and designed just for the Scottish channels, Lord of the Glens.
Join us on a voyage steeped in history and tradition with visits to centuries-old castles, battlefields of the Jacobite rebellion and sacred stone ruins dating back to the early Bronze Age. Raise a wee dram of whisky (slàinte!) and cruise with us through this vibrant land of legend and lore.
Dates
June 8–17, 2024Duration
10 daysPrice
From $12,395 per person
Trip size
43 participantsMinimum age
18 yearsFaculty leader
A different kind of classroom
With renowned Stanford faculty and scholars leading the way, every Travel/Study trip is a one-of-a-kind educational experience.
Buzz Thompson, ’73, MBA ’76, JD ’76
Stanford Law School
The Robert E. Paradise Professor of Natural Resources Law and a senior fellow at the Woods Institute for the Environment, Buzz is a scholar of rivers, their histories and the critical role they play in shaping the countries and regions through which they flow.
“Buzz is a fantastic lecturer with so much knowledge to share. Plus, he has a great talent for getting the audience to participate, and then he links together their various points of view. Exceptionally enjoyable.”
— Sarah Allen, ’72, MA ’75
Itinerary
Cruise through the Scottish Highlands and the Inner Hebrides
Starting in Inverness, cross the Scottish Highlands on an intimate cruise on the Caledonian Canal. Sail through scenic lochs and navigate impressive locks, visiting whisky distilleries and ancient sites along the way. Continue along the coast to explore medieval ruins and stunning castles on Iona, the Isle of Skye and other islands of the Inner Hebrides.
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Inverness, Scotland
Arrive in Inverness and transfer to the hotel for a welcome reception and dinner with fellow travelers.
Accommodations:Kingsmills Hotel
Included meal: DinnerCawdor / Inverness
Enjoy a hearty Scottish breakfast at the hotel before venturing to Cawdor Castle, built for the third Thane of Cawdor at the end of the 14th century. After lunch, visit Leanach Farm, a working sheep farm, and watch a sheep dog demonstration before returning to Inverness for a free evening.
Accommodations:Kingsmills Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast and lunchEmbarkation
Spend the morning exploring Inverness on our own before gathering for lunch at a local pub prior to embarking Lord of the Glens.
Accommodations:Lord of the Glens
Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinnerCulloden / Clava Cairns / Loch Ness / Fort Augustus
Before we set sail on the Caledonian Canal, venture to Culloden, the battlefield where Bonnie Prince Charlie’s Jacobite forces were defeated in 1746. Learn about the mass expulsion of Catholic clansmen that followed, known as the Highland Clearances. Afterward, visit nearby Clava Cairns to see the standing stones and passage tombs of this sacred burial site from the Bronze Age. Return to our ship and set off for Loch Ness, where we 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.
Accommodations:Lord of the Glens
Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinnerLaggan 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 there, drive to Glenfinnan to explore the spectacularly scenic location now famous for Harry Potter, or choose to explore Loch Linnhe by kayak from our moorings in the shadow of Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain.
Accommodations:Lord of the Glens
Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinnerLoch Linnhe / Oban
We sail through Loch Linnhe today to reach Oban, set on a picturesque bay on the Firth of Lorn. Explore the lively town on foot, visiting a whisky distillery and McCaig’s Folly, a monument on a hill overlooking the town and bay that was inspired by the Roman Colosseum. Gather onboard this evening for a whisky tasting.
Accommodations:Lord of the Glens
Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinnerSound of Mull / Iona / Tobermory
This morning, sail to the Isle of Mull in the Inner Hebrides. Drive across the island and catch a ferry to Iona to visit the medieval abbey ruins and rebuilt church, then stroll through St. Oran’s Chapel and the royal graveyard where Scottish kings, including Macbeth, are buried. Back on Mull, visit Duart Castle, the ancestral home of Clan MacLean that was built in the 13th century and is still lived in by the MacLean family. Re-join our ship in the afternoon and set sail across the dramatic Sound of Mull for our overnight berth at the picturesque fishing community of Tobermory.
Accommodations:Lord of the Glens
Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinnerIsle of Eigg or Mull / Inverie
Sail north to either Eigg or Rum, depending on weather conditions. The islands have small populations of fewer than one hundred people. Watch for marine animals and birdlife, including Atlantic seals, minke and humpback whales, and dolphins. On Eigg, walk or cycle around the island trails, enjoy views of the imposing crag of Sgurr and talk with the local residents. Alternatively on Rum, we visit fanciful Kinloch Castle. Then sail to the tiny village of Inverie, where we enjoy a drink at the British Isles’ most remote pub, the Old Forge.
Accommodations:Lord of the Glens
Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinnerIsle of Sky / Kyle of Lochalsh
Journey north today 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. Visit the ruins of their ancestral home at Armadale Castle before continuing on to Kyle of Lochalsh. There, opt for a guided coastal walk or an excursion to nearby Eilean Donan Castle. Toast our voyage this evening with a farewell dinner onboard the ship.
Accommodations:Lord of the Glens
Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinnerKyle of Lochalsh / Disembarkation / Inverness / Home
Disembark in Kyle of Lochalsh and transfer to the airport for homeward-bound flights or continue on to Edinburgh to join the post-trip extension.
Included meal: Breakfast
Make the most of your trip
Want more time to explore? Get the most out of your stay in this region when you sign up for an optional trip extension.
Post-trip Extension: Edinburgh
Visit the capital’s historic sights on expertly guided tours and enjoy time on your own to explore the city’s winding streets and lively restaurant scene. See the Scottish Crown Jewels and explore Edinburgh's old and new towns, together designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Experience a specially arranged traditional High Tea aboard an elegant and historic long ship.
Dates
June 17–20, 2024Duration
4 days/f/103430/5208x3472/10bbbd7881/scotland-edinburgh-skyline-night.jpg)
Disembark / Edinburgh
After disembarking the Lord of the Glens in Kyle of Lochalsh, drive south to Edinburgh. Begin our exploration with a guided visit to the Royal Yacht Britannia, one of the most famous ships in the world. Launched April 16th, 1953, the ship has taken members of the Royal Family and their guests more than a million nautical miles. Check in to our luxury hotel located in the heart of Edinburgh, and enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure.
Accommodations:Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh – The Caledonian
Included meal: LunchEdinburgh
Start the day with a hearty Scottish breakfast followed by a panoramic view of Edinburgh, including a stop at Arthur's Seat, the peak of an extinct volcano. Visit Edinburgh Castle, and view Scotland's Crown Jewels and the Stone of Destiny—recently returned from London after 700 years. From the castle, stroll in the footsteps of Scottish royalty along the Royal Mile to St. Giles Cathedral, where reformer John Knox preached his fiery sermons. After lunch walk to the Palace of Holyrood House, the Queen's official residence in Edinburgh and once home to Bonnie Prince Charlie, Mary Queen of Scots and many more. Enjoy more independent exploration this afternoon.
Accommodations:Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh – The Caledonian
Included meals: Breakfast and lunchEdinburgh
Nearby to Edinburgh is Rosslyn Chapel, founded in 1446 by Sir William St Clair. The beauty of its setting, in rural Midlothian, and the mysterious symbolism of its ornate stonework have inspired, attracted and intrigued writers, artists and visitors ever since. Return to Edinburgh to visit the Scottish National Gallery, home to one of the best collections of fine art in the world. Gather this evening for a festive farewell dinner.
Accommodations:Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh – The Caledonian
Included meals: Breakfast and dinnerEdinburgh / Home
Transfer to Edinburgh airport for flights home.
Accommodations:Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh – The Caledonian
Included meal: Breakfast
Trip details
Start preparing for the trip of a lifetime
From top to bottom, we’ve taken care of all the details, so you can enjoy a no-stress, worry-free travel experience.
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Tobermory, Inner Hebrides
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Pricing
Secure your spot today
The price of your trip covers a comprehensive educational program in addition to meals, accommodations, tours and excursions. Continue reading for a full list of what’s included.
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Category A
Cabins with two portholes (Wyatt Deck) or picture windows (Roberts Deck) featuring a double bed or two single beds.
Cabins: 104, 106, 209, 211, 212
Double: $12,395 per person
Category B
Cabins on Roberts and Bell Deck featuring a picture window and two twin beds, or a double bed (cabins 210, 218, 219—for solo travelers only).
Cabins: 201–208, 210, 214, 216–219, 301–306
Double: $13,895 per person
Single: $17,995 per person
Join us in Scotland
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