Scotland

Upon arrival in Edinburgh, transfer to the hotel and get settled. Meet fellow travelers tonight at a welcome reception and dinner.

Begin the morning in Old Town with a visit to Edinburgh Castle. Marvel at the glittering Crown Jewels and imposing Mons Meg, a siege cannon of the 1400s. Enjoy lunch and the remainder of the day at leisure for independent exploration.

Storied Scone was an ancient gathering place of the Picts, the site of an early Christian church, and from the ninth century on, the crowning place of the kings of Scotland. The modern palace, made of red sandstone, was completed in 1807. Tour the palace, which contains needlepoint created by Mary Queen of Scots, a desk used by Marie Antoinette, and the bedroom where Queen Victoria slept while visiting. We also stroll the grounds—100 acres of informal woodland gardens, including a pinetum containing rare conifers and a star-shaped maze, all patrolled by peacocks. After lunch at a local restaurant, visit Blair Athol distillery for a tour and tasting. Then, transfer to Inverness port for embarkation on the Lord of the Glens. Enjoy the Captain’s welcome reception and dinner this evening.

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. 

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 take a train ride along part of the famed West Highland Railway. Glide over the spectacular Glenfinnan viaduct, curving high above the waters of Loch Shiel. This scene will feel familiar to fans of the Harry Potter films as the route of the Hogwarts Express.

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.

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. Spend the evening docked in Craignure, the main ferry port of Mull.

Early this morning, set sail for Tobermory, where brightly painted houses line the waterfront that was built by the British Fisheries Company to house its workers. Sail north to either Eigg or Rum, depending on weather conditions. Enjoy free time to explore the town on our own. Reboard our ship for lunch and a talk by a local ranger who shares the history of the area and explains the hydroelectric power that fuels this remote community without any road access. This afternoon, sail north to the Isle of Eigg, pending weather conditions and watching for marine animals and birdlife, including Atlantic seals, minke and humpback whales, and dolphins. On land, we have the opportunity to walk or cycle around the island trails, enjoy views of the imposing crag of Sgurr, and talk with the local residents. Then sail to the tiny village of Inverie, where we enjoy a drink at the British Isles’ most remote pub, the Old Forge.

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 captain’s farewell dinner onboard the ship.

Embark on a breathtaking journey through Scotland’s rugged landscapes on our way to Urquhart Castle, located on Loch Ness and once one of Scotland’s largest castles. Climb the tower, stroll the remains of the great hall, and even peer inside a prison cell. Continue to Inverness for a brief introductory walk and lunch at leisure before checking in to our hotel. Later this evening, gather to toast our journey at a farewell dinner.

Transfer to Inverness Airport to begin the journey home.