Lord of the Highlands, The Lure of Loch Ness ex Oban to Inverness

6 Night Cruise sailing from Oban to Inverness aboard Lord of the Highlands.

We head for The Highlands, rich in heritage and surrounded by dramatic mountain scenery, the Great Glen cuts right through the heart of Scotland. We transit this geological fault, via the manmade sections of the Caledonian Canal and four immense lochs, Loch Lochy, Loch Oich and most famous of all, the legendary Loch Ness and Loch Dochfour.

Day 1: Oban - Embarkation.

Day 2: Oban – Walking tour and McCaig’s Tower. Tobermory, Mull – Free time.

Our walking tour of Oban takes in the panoramic vistas from McCaig’s Tower at the top of Battery Hill before we sail to Craignure on Mull, for a tour of Duart Castle, seat of Clan Maclean.

Day 3: Craignure, Mull – Visit to Iona.

Visit sacred Iona, where St. Columba introduced Christianity to Scotland. Later, sail to the island capital of Tobermory where brightly painted houses line the waterfront.

Day 4: Sail Loch Linnhe to Corpach. Corpach – Glenfinnan Monument Visitor Centre.

We cruise the Sound of Mull and Loch Linnhe to Corpach at the entrance of the Caledonian Canal.

At the Glenfinnan Monument Visitor Centre, we discover the story of Bonnie Prince Charlie and the moving tribute to those who died fighting for the Jacobite cause.

Day 5: Ascend Neptune’s Staircase and sail the Caledonian Canal to Fort Augustus.

Today Lord of the Highlands ascends the spectacular eight interconnected locks of Neptune’s Staircase to Banavie in the shadow of Ben Nevis.

Onwards through Loch Lochy in the heart of the Great Glen and the tranquil tree-lined Laggan Avenue, to Loch Oich, the highest point on the canal at just over 100 feet above sea level, to Fort Augustus.

Day 6: Sail the Caledonian Canal and Loch Ness to Inverness. Inverness – Culloden and Clava Cairns.

Shrouded in mystery, Loch Ness is deeper than the North Sea; binoculars at the ready to search for the elusive local resident. Arriving at Inverness, our final visit is Culloden, the powerfully emotive and atmospheric battlefield where the 1745 Jacobite Rising came to a tragic end.

Oban - 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.