Scotland:Lord of the Glens – 8 day cruise (Secrets of the Highlands and Islands) 1242
Scotland:Lord of the Glens – 8 day cruise (Secrets of the Highlands and Islands) 1242
8 Days Starting and ending in Inverness, UK
Visiting: Muirtown Basin Marina, Inverness, Loch Ness, Culloden, Clava Cairns, Fort Augustus, Urquhart Castle, Corpach, Glenfinnan Viaduct, McCaig's Tower & Battery Hill, Oban, Duart Castle, Tobermory, Isle of Iona, Eigg, Inverie, Sound of Sleat, Eilean Donan, Clan Donald Centre, Armadale, Kyle of Lochalsh
Tour operator:
Tour code:
BLSW
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
6 - 25
Age range:
1-99
Special diets catered:
Meat, Vegans, Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Tour Overview
This seven-night cruise combines both fresh and saltwater cruising, as the Lord of the Glens sails through the Caledonian Canal from Inverness to the islands of Skye and Mull and the bustling harbour of Oban, featuring some of the remote and breathtakingly beautiful scenery of Scotland’s west coast, and concluding in Kyle of Lochalsh.
Highlights include Loch Ness, Loch Oich and Loch Lochy and Thomas Telford’s engineering masterpiece Neptune’s Staircase, a series of eight interconnected locks that takes vessels back to sea-level near Fort William. In between our cruising, there is also a full programme of shore excursions including visits to Armadale on the Isle of Skye, the little islands of Eigg and Iona, colourful Tobermory on the Isle of Mull, romantic Eilean Donan Castle, the Glenfinnan Monument, Culloden Battlefield and prehistoric Clava Cairns.
The MV Lord of the Glens has 26 beautifully appointed and well-equipped state cabins, all with windows and en-suite facilities. The ‘Robert Louis Stevenson’ restaurant presents cuisine using local and freshly sourced produce whilst the ‘Sir Walter Scott’ bar and lounge on the upper deck provides for magnificent all-around panoramic views of the Highland scene. With all meals and excursions included this cruise offers excellent value for money, a summer treat to be savoured.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1
Location: Muirtown Basin Marina, Inverness
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Dinner
Travel under own arrangement to Inverness (rail/air connections can be arranged on request). A coach transfer is provided from Inverness Airport (approx. 15.15hrs) or Inverness city centre (approx. 16.00hrs) to Muirtown Basin, Inverness, where we embark the MV Lord of the Glens.
This evening we will be joined by members of the crew for a welcome reception before dinner. We moor here overnight.
Day 2
Location: Loch Ness, Culloden, Clava Cairns, Fort Augustus, Urquhart Castle
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast this morning we depart by coach on an excursion to the National Trust for Scotland’s Visitor Centre at Culloden, the scene of the last battle fought on British soil in 1746, and the Clava Cairns, a group of exceptionally well-preserved burial cairns that were built about 4000 years ago. We set sail this afternoon on the Caledonian Canal, built between 1803 and 1822 to connect Loch Ness with the Great Glen’s three other lochs. This most famous of Scottish lochs is 23 miles long, a mile wide and up to 600ft deep, which is a lot of water in which to hide if you are a monster! Whether ‘Nessie’ is a relic from the age of dinosaurs or just a carefully cultivated myth remains to be seen, but keep a careful look out just in case! On the way we pass by the ruins of Castle Urquhart, which provides the perfect photo opportunity.
We ascend an impressive flight of locks that runs through the heart of Fort Augustus, where we moor this evening.
Day 3
Location: Corpach, Glenfinnan Viaduct
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast this morning we sail through the tree-lined section known as Laggan Avenue and into Loch Lochy, where we continue until we descend Neptune’s Staircase, a set of eight interconnected locks. We arrive in the village of Corpach, nestled in the shadow of Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain. In the afternoon we depart by train along part the West Highland railway, travelling over the impressive Glenfinnan Viaduct, which found world-wide fame after it appeared in the Harry Potter films.
We moor overnight in Corpach.
Day 4
Location: McCaig's Tower & Battery Hill, Oban
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today after breakfast we enter the ocean, passing mysterious lochs and islands until we reach Oban, the seafood capital of the Highlands. Join us for a walk around the town and (if you wish) up to McCaigs Tower, dominating the skyline of the town with great views over the bustling harbour and towards the isle of Mull. We moor overnight here.
Day 5
Location: Duart Castle, Tobermory, Isle of Iona
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Following breakfast this morning we sail to Craignure, the main ferry port of Mull, with a chance to take photographs of Duart Castle, the 13th century home of the Chief of Clan MacLean. We depart by coach for a visit to the Isle of Iona, the last resting place of some 50 Scottish Kings and the place where St Columba introduced Christianity to Britain. The tiny island has a unique sense of peace and tranquillity. This afternoon we sail to Tobermory. Tobermory’s most famous and striking feature is the row of brightly painted houses that lines the waterfront, originally built by the British Fisheries Company for £20 pound each to house its workers.
We moor in Tobermory overnight.
Day 6
Location: Eigg, Inverie
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Enjoy your breakfast this morning as we depart on an early morning sail to the tiny island of Eigg, where you get a sense of what life is like for the 90 or so people who live on this island, which came into community ownership in 1998. Look out for marine animals and birdlife, including Atlantic seals, minke whales, dolphins, porpoises and a variety of seabirds.
We then sail to the town of Inverie in Loch Nevis, one of the most remote locations in Scotland with a famous pub which can only be accessed by boat. We moor in Inverie overnight.
Day 7
Location: Sound of Sleat, Eilean Donan, Clan Donald Centre, Armadale, Kyle of Lochalsh
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
As we enjoy breakfast this morning we sail across the Sound of Sleat to Armadale on the Isle of Skye. Here we will visit the Clan Donald Centre, before we sail to Kyle of Lochalsh this afternoon to visit Eilean Donan Castle. This must be one of the most photographed castles in Scotland, with its impossibly romantic setting on Loch Duich. The beginnings of Eilean Donan Castle reach back into the early mists of time – evidence of a pictish fort was found in vitrified rock uncovered during excavations, some of which has been kept for visitors to see.
In the evening we will be joined by members of the crew reception and dinner, and moor here in Kyle overnight.
Day 8
Location: Inverness
Meals Included: Breakfast
Following breakfast we disembark. A coach transfer will take you back to Inverness city centre (approx. 11.30hrs) and Inverness Airport (approx. 12.00hrs). Alternatively you can travel independently via the scenic railway line to Inverness.
What's Included
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Accommodation
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Meals as per the itinerary
What's Not Included
Check out our Q&As
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
No
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Are flights included in this tour?
No
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
Yes
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Will I receive more details of the holiday before I travel?
You will receive detailed joining instructions around 10 days prior to you departure, but you are of course welcome to contact us at any time should you have any queries.
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What facilities do your coaches have?
Generally, our coaches have reclining seats, air-conditioning and toilets, however this cannot always be guaranteed as sometimes we have to use smaller vehicles. Toilets are recommended for emergency use only and regular comfort stops will be made throughout your holiday while travelling around.
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Do I have to go on the included excursions?
Absolutely not. You are more than welcome to spend the day at your hotel or exploring independently should you wish. All we ask is that you inform your Tour Manager, so they are not left waiting for you to join the group.
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Is there time to relax?
Although our itineraries may seem jam-packed, boasting access to some of the most exclusive sites across the UK and beyond, a Brightwater Holiday is just that: a holiday. Each trip will counter in more than enough free-time for you to explore places at your own leisure. And with most nights and the majority of meals being included in our tour prices, you can relax in hand-picked accommodation.
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Do I need to be an expert?
Absolutely not! Although some of our tours are specifically focused on one thing, all you need to enjoy a Brightwater holiday is interest and bags of enthusiasm! Even on our most specialist tours, we take travellers from all skill levels, from experts to beginners.
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How fit or active do I need to be for one of your holidays?
You need to be able to get on and off the coach unassisted, and most – but not all – coaches have a kneel facility that lowers the front step for ease of boarding
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Do you have self-drive holidays?
Yes, we do – tailored to your exact requirements!
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What’s the luggage allowance on your coaches?
There’s no fixed limit, but we generally say one large suitcase to go in the luggage compartment and a smaller bag that you can take onto the coach with you. For flight-inclusive holidays, we include a luggage allowance of at least 20kg.
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Where are your departure points?
UK garden holidays generally depart from London, with additional pick-ups depending on the route of the coach, while holidays to Scotland depart from Glasgow, Edinburgh and Perth, with Dundee, Inverness and Aberdeen sometimes included. All Eurostar holidays depart from London St. Pancras and flight-inclusive holidays depart from one or more of the main London airports, with regional flights .
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What about the company that will be kept?
For single travellers, those with a companion or even those travelling in a larger group, you'll find that the signature of any Brightwater Holiday is the company. You won't ever be travelling with a group of strangers, instead, you'll find yourself surrounded by like-minded people with a strong shared interest who will soon become your firm friends.
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What is a Brightwater Holiday?
Bursting with enthralling, educational and enlightening itineraries, a Brightwater Holiday, by its very nature, is packed with bucket-list-worthy destinations, behind the scenes passes and expert-led experiences. From creating bespoke quality garden and special interest tours for groups and individuals alike, we have made it our business to make our guests' travel dreams come true.
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Why is there a single supplement?
Unfortunately, single room supplements are charges that are often imposed on us as a company when we book rooms for group holidays. However, most hotels do charge less for single occupancy, and we always pass this saving on to our solo travellers in the form of a modest single supplement.
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How much are your optional excursions?
Prices start from as little as £20, but please contact our friendly team for questions about specific itineraries or excursions.
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Can I pre-book my coach seats?
Yes, you can. In the case of front seats, guests with limited mobility are given priority. Please get in touch with our friendly team to discuss any requirements you may have.
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How to get there? Easy!
With a Brightwater Holiday, the journey is just as important as the destination and we make getting you to your tour start point easy. From organising group flights and individual travel plans, to offering accessible local departure and pick-up points, we go out of our way to ensure that your journey is as convenient and hassle-free as it can be.
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Do I need to have travel insurance?
Travel insurance is required for all overseas holidays and is also strongly recommended for UK holidays – primarily to protect yourself against cancellation charges should you be unable to travel.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Brightwater Holidays allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform brightwater holidays, 25 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Brightwater Holidays requires a minimum deposit of 15% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of brightwater holidays charges.
At 40 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 7 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.