Cruise Directory - Hebridean Island Cruises

Transcription

2016
C ruise D irectory
Highlands & Islands of Scotland
Northern Ireland & The Isle of Man
By appointment to HM The Queen
Provision of cruise holidays on Hebridean Princess
All Leisure Holidays Ltd, trading as Hebridean Island Cruises
Welcome to the 2016
Hebridean Princess Cruise Directory
With around 65% of our guests returning each year to sail on board Hebridean
Princess, it is imperative that our standard of service never falls short of what is
expected – exceptional.
For us, guest enjoyment is paramount to the success of Hebridean Island
Cruises and this includes the enviable reputation that Hebridean Princess has
come to enjoy during her 27 seasons of operation.
Over the years I have had the pleasure of meeting many guests and from the
comments and feedback provided on After Cruise Questionnaires, it is pleasing
to learn that we appear to be getting most things right.
We cannot, however, be complacent and we know that we must strive to improve our product. This winter, during our annual refit and maintenance period,
we seized the opportunity to refurbish many of the public areas on board including the Tiree Lounge, the Conservatory, the Look-Out Lounge and the Library.
We pride ourselves on everything we do and our common goal is to ensure that
each and every guest is provided with the highest quality of service, care and
attention to detail in every possible way.
We very much look forward to welcoming you on board in 2016.
Best regards
Ken Charleson
Chief Operating Officer
Contents
Genuinely fully-inclusive
2
Crew
3
Life on board – public rooms
4-7
Dining and cuisine
8-9
Going ashore
10-11
Themed cruises, guest speakers
and guides
12-13
Partnerships
14
Belmond Royal Scotsman train
15
Islands A-Z
16-19
Cruise itineraries
20-97
Cabins
98-104
Good connections
105
On board A-Z
106-107
What you need to know
108
Cabin facilities
109
Deck plans
110
99% of our guests have told us they
had an enjoyable holiday
98% have told us they would consider
cruising on Hebridean Princess again
99% of our guests would recommend
Hebridean Princess to others
* Percentages are based on our 2014 cruising season and are
calculated from the total of returned After-Cruise Questionnaires
Hebridean Princess, Loch Linnhe
Hebridean Princess
Genuinely fully-inclusive
and more...
Each cruise includes
Meals and drinks
Port taxes
All pier and harbour dues.
All meals on board and ashore, snacks
Gratuities
and picnics as shown in the itineraries
Hebridean operates a ‘no tipping’
and fresh fruit from baskets around
policy.
the ship. Champagne, wines (excluding
wines on the Library Wines list), plus
A celebration
beers, spirits, soft drinks, tea, coffee
If you plan to mark a special occasion
and other hot drinks.
on board, perhaps a wedding
Shore visits
anniversary or birthday, we will be
only too happy to help you celebrate
Entrance fees to all castles, gardens
by arranging for Champagne, a cake
and other places of interest, as well
or canapés, to enjoy in the privacy
as transfers between the ship and
of your cabin, or maybe share with
each destination ashore, as shown in
family and friends in the Library.
the itineraries.
To celebrate these happy moments
Guides and guest speakers
Knowledgeable guides accompany
in true Hebridean style, please place
a special request through our
reservations staff.
all cruises, both on board and on the
tours ashore, with three experienced
guides on the Footloose walking
itineraries. Guest speakers feature on
Not included
• Travel to and from our private
coach transfer points
selected cruises.
• Wines on the Library Wines list
Bicycles
• Any private shore visits organised
Use of the ship’s bicycles to
by request which are not part of
explore ashore.
the cruise itinerary
Internet
• Personal telephone calls
Free Wi-Fi access and use of the
• Items purchased from the
ship’s iPads, located in the Library.
Hebridean Princess shop
Transfers and car parking
• Personal laundry
Private coach transfers from the local
Travel with family and friends
airport or train station to and from
Hebridean Princess. For those
wishing to drive, secure parking is
provided at the port.
Insurance
Single trip travel insurance.
Restrictions may apply.
If you would prefer to holiday with
your family and friends, why not
invite them to join you on board
Hebridean Princess, for the supreme
cruising experience?
Charters
Alternatively enjoy the ultimate
Extra activities
At no extra charge, your holiday can
be made even more enjoyable with
fishing trips and speedboat rides,
which can be arranged on request.
2
private party afloat and charter
Hebridean Princess for up to
50 guests.
Crew
At Hebridean Island Cruises we believe it is simply not possible to
look after large numbers of guests properly and give them the really
personal service that differentiates an extraordinary holiday from a
merely good one. That is why, on Hebridean Princess, you will find
only 50 like-mined souls and no fewer than 38 crew to look after you.
If you would like to be known by
Discreet service is the bedrock of
your name within moments of
our reputation and the uncannily
coming on board, to have your
accurate anticipation of your needs is
smallest preferences remembered,
a skill that our crew has developed
then mass-market style cruising will
into almost an art form.
never be a satisfactory alternative.
For us, resoluteness in the pursuit of
Everything we do receives the same
perfection is something for which, in
level of care and attention; from the
our view, there is no alternative.
carefully conceived shore visits to the
Behind the scenes we will be striving
spectacular overnight anchorages,
day and night to ensure that yours is
the exquisite menus and the unique
the best holiday you have taken.
and individually designed cabins,
every little detail aims to ensure that
Your job is to simply sit back, relax
and slow down – Hebridean style!
the whole experience is so complete
that you will never even notice.
Captain Richard Heaton
Captain Trevor Bailey
3
Tiree Lounge
Life on board –
public rooms
After an energetic walk ashore,
Having recently undergone a major
providing cosy areas grouped
the comfort and homeliness of
makeover by renowned interior
around perhaps the most extraordinary
designers John Dick & Son, the public
feature of the ship – a brick
rooms on board Hebridean Princess
inglenook fireplace!
Hebridean Princess welcomes
you back as though to your own
offer a truly cosy and welcoming
home; and that is how we, and
atmosphere.
have described Hebridean Princess
more importantly our guests, like
The Tiree Lounge, with its intimate
for many years and remain true to the
bar, is the social focal point;
original description. Fifty like-minded
‘Like home but better’ is how she
beautifully designed and filled with
guests mix in a convivial atmosphere
has previously been described.
soft armchairs and welcoming sofas
and create a house party mood.
to think of this unusual little ship.
4
‘A Floating Country House’ is how we
Tiree Lounge
Conservatory
Library
Tiree Lounge
5
Library
Look-Out Lounge
6
Library
Library
In the peaceful wood-panelled
Painted, rattan furniture brings a
Library a masculine feel has been
casual feel to the Conservatory
created, using leather, unique
and the natural look has been
upholstery and dark woods and
complemented by the beautifully
should a spot of solitude appeal,
restored teak flooring. A wonderfully
there is a fine selection of reference
calm space to enjoy the scenery.
and general interest books to
be enjoyed.
The emphasis on low key
entertainment is complemented by
The soft tones furnishing the Look-Out
the gentle art of conversation and
Lounge flow seamlessly from the
the certain knowledge that fellow
colour palette in the foyer areas,
guests have chosen this style of
creating a relaxing space to take in
holiday as much for what it doesn’t
the stunning views.
offer as for what it does.
Look-Out Lounge
Conservatory
Conservatory
7
Columba Restaurant
Dining and cuisine
The Columba Restaurant, with its cherry-wood panelling, fine artworks and discreet lighting is a romantic
venue to enjoy the genial ambiance. Single-sitting dining means that your designated table for two awaits and,
for solo travellers, the senior Officers invite guests to join them in convivial groups.
8
It is said that sea air stimulates the
Dinners and most lunches are served
with fresh fruit, home-baked breads,
appetite and it is certainly our
in the elegant Columba Restaurant,
cooked Scottish fayre and of course,
experience that, after a morning or
through whose large windows the
Chef’s own take on that Scottish
afternoon ashore, guests are eager to
scenery glides by as you dine. On
staple (porridge), with or without a
be taken to the very finest destinations
occasions, lunch may be served al
wee dram!
of haute cuisine created by a talented
fresco and, on certain cruises, Chef
brigade of chefs and lead by
will take his skills ashore and produce
Our Gala Dinners are sparkling
Scotland’s finest culinary artists.
a legendary Hebridean picnic – an
occasions, from the Champagne
extraordinary contrast to the rugged
reception in the Tiree Lounge to
scenery in which it will be served.
a gourmet dinner – and no cruise
Only the freshest and finest
would be complete without a
ingredients are used in our menu
choices, most of which are procured
Breakfasts are informal and are as
traditional recital of Robert Burns’
from local suppliers.
healthy or as hearty as you choose
Address to the Haggis!
9
Going ashore
Unlike most cruise ships, a Hebridean Princess cruise includes a large number of
shore visits. From cultural to historical, serious walking and biking to simply
strolling around the bay, the opportunities to experience the peace are endless.
10 Main image: Footloose on Rum; Insets left to right: Shona, our tender; Inverewe Garden; Our speed boat
On most days Hebridean Princess
Some of the islands we visit are so
Our long-standing connections in this
berths or anchors in different
off the beaten track that no landing
remote corner of the kingdom enable
locations both morning and
place is available. We will then use our
us to arrange visits to privately
afternoon, whilst the ship’s tenders
special beach landing craft for an
owned castles and garden, with an
are on hand to operate a shuttle
exciting chance to wander an
opportunity to talk to the owners
service ashore. Should you choose
uninhabited island or headland.
and enjoy the different dimension of
a visit that is utterly personal.
to wander at will, the small boats are
always available to transport you
The effects of the Gulf Stream bring
back on board if the yearning for a
a warmth and a fertility to this region
glass of something or chef’s afternoon
that make it quite unlike any other in
ensure that visits ashore are fascinating,
tea prove too hard to resist.
the British Isles.
instructive and utterly enjoyable.
Small numbers and common interests
11
Themed cruises,
guest speakers
and guides
Themes
Whilst our ‘Footloose’ walking
programme has been a feature of
our sailing calendar for many years,
Brodick Castle
Talisker Distillery
its success has inspired the inclusion
of other themed itineraries for 2016.
Charles MacLean
Spirit of Scotland
15th to 22nd March 2016
Page 26-27
NT
T
NK
& DR
I
OD
I
Footloose walking cruises are accompanied
by three highly experienced guides, two
of whom are specialist walking guides
with an intimate knowledge of the terrain.
These exhilarating itineraries cater for all
whether you are a seasoned walker,
prefer to stroll, or to vary the pace from
day to day.
FO
Footloose Walking
ERES
RDEN
GA
IN
Flavours of Scotland
5th to 12th April 2016
Page 32-33
Castles and Gardens
of the North
TE R EST
12th to 19th April 2016
Page 34-35
Gardens
G
Relish the magnificent splendour of
some of Britain’s most beautiful gardens,
cossetted by the warming effects of the
Gulf Stream; a true horticultural
extravaganza.
Footloose through the
Inner Isles
U ISE
26th April to 3rd May 2016
Page 38-39
A LK I N
W
CR
Sarah Staniforth
Northern Ireland Explorer
Classical Music
Nat
u
& Wil
d
re
e
lif
Explore the Inner Hebrides with classical
music recitals in some of the most
inspiring locations imaginable, including
Fingal’s Cave on Staffa, the inspiration for
Mendelssohn.
17th to 24th May 2016
Page 44-45
In t
ere st
Call of the Wild
24th to 31st May 2016
Page 46-47
Food and Drink
Scotland is renowned for some of the
freshest and most mouth-watering
cuisine throughout the world and this
cruise will introduce you to some of the
finest restaurants in the Western Isles.
Whisky
12
H
ER
I TA G
E
St Kilda, Islands on
the Edge
31st May to 7th June 2016
Page 48-49
Jim Gardiner
RDEN
GA
Scotland in Colour
IN
TE R E
ST
A LK I N
W
G
Scottish whiskies are regarded by many
as the world’s most revered drink. Their
differing tastes are influenced by peat,
smoke and even the sea and may be
classed as works of art in their own right.
On this cruise we explore some of the
greatest distilleries on the west coast
of Scotland.
ORLD
W
CR
U ISE
7th to 14th June 2016
Page 50-51
Footloose in the
Outer Isles
14th to 21st June 2016
Page 52-53
Knowledgeable guides
No cruise on board Hebridean Princess
would be complete without our
Village Bay, St Kilda
Ring of Brodgar, Orkney
specially selected guides, who have
sailed with us for a number of years,
contributing their particular spheres of
expertise and interest to enrich your
ORLD
W
H
ER
I TA G
E
The Hebridean Outposts
of St Kilda
stay on board and make your holiday
28th June to 5th July 2016
Page 56-57
experience even more special.
A highly knowledgeable and
IC
US
CLA
S
AL
SIC M
IN
TE R EST
Hebridean Symphony
5th to 12th July 2016
Page 58-59
experienced guide accompanies guests
for the duration of each cruise, with
three on ‘Footloose’ walking itineraries,
always there to offer information and
an occasional helping hand. Single
VA
NA L
HI
ST O
RY
Rear Admiral John Lippiett
Following the Grand Fleet
12th to 21st July 2016
Page 60-61
guests can enjoy their company at
dinner, when they join an Officer’s
table in the Columba Restaurant.
After-dinner talks, over coffee and
petit fours, are enjoyable moments,
G
A LK I N
W
U ISE
TORICA
IS
L
H
CR
Footloose in the Far North
outlining the next day’s activities and
30th July to 8th August 2016
Page 64-65
shedding fresh light on the unique
Professor Jane Downes
Julie Gibson
Enriching
guest speakers
Stone Age Scotland
IN
TE R EST
8th to 16th August 2016
Page 66-67
regions through which we sail.
The enrichment of discovery and thrill
of knowledge put Hebridean Princess
I
NT
T
FO
NK
& DR
I
OD
ERES
4th to 11th October 2016
Page 84-85
cruises in a category of their own.
Our on board speakers are chosen
precisely because they are among
some of the best authorities in their
field. Passionate about their subject,
Highland Heritage
these captivating orators bring each
11th to 18th October 2016
Page 86-87
cruise alive and are delighted to share
their knowledge with their fellow
guests – a true meeting of minds.
TECHTU
HI
T
I
N
L
RA
ARC
Miranda Krestovnikoff
TERES
Call of the Clyde
During our 2016 season Guest
25th October to
1st November 2016
Page 90-91
specially selected cruises.
Speakers will accompany seven
David Winpenny
Grand Houses and Castles
of the Clyde
1st to 8th November 2016
Page 92-93
13
Partnerships
Inveraray Castle
Strachur
Strachur House
Ardkinglas House
Crarae
NADFAS
ne
h
Fy
Rhu
Hill House
c
Lo
Hebridean Island Cruises is proud to be associated with
GREENOCK
NADFAS, a prestigious association which has great synergies
Finlaystone
House
with Hebridean. Not only are members entitled to a 5%
I N V E R C LY D E
saving on any Hebridean Princess cruise*, they will also be
BUTE
Largs
Ardgowan House
Kelburn Castle
helping to support NADFAS by booking a Hebridean cruise.
Our NADFAS recommended cruise in 2016 is Grand Houses and Castles
of the Clyde, featuring NADFAS lecturer, David Winpenny, who has a
ARRAN
Firth of
Clyde
fascination with architecture and garden history.
Troon
Dumfries House
Dundonald Castle
Please refer to pages 92-93 for full details of this cruise.
*Not combinable with any other offer.
Campbeltown
Glenbarr Abbey
OBAN
National Trust
Craobh Haven
Arduaine Garden
JURA
Tayvallich
As part of All Leisure Holidays, Hebridean Island Cruises has
teamed up with the National Trust to offer members a
wonderful range of cruises in 2016. Not only will members
be entitled to a 5% saving off any Hebridean Princess cruise*,
they will also be helping to support the National Trust.
Our National Trust partnership cruise, Northern Ireland Explorer, features
Sarah Staniforth, former Museums and Collections Director of the
Cushendun
Ballycastle
Giant’s Causeway
Carrick-a-Rede
Rope Bridge
Belfast
Titanic Exhibition
National Trust.
Strangford Lough
Glenarm
Glemarm Castle
Bangor
Mount Stewart House
Please refer to pages 44-45 for full details of this cruise.
Derrymore House
*Not combinable with any other offer.
Warrenpoint
Sea-Changers
The preservation of the cruising environment in which Hebridean Princess
operates, and the marine life which it supports, is of great importance to
Hebridean Island Cruises. For that reason we are delighted to continue our
dedicated partnership with the marine conservation charity, Sea-Changers.
Sea-Changers is a charity with the mission of raising funds for marine conservation,
primarily in the UK. Their vision is to create a world where seas and shores are clean and
healthy, marine species are protected and where, far from damaging the oceans, those
who use the sea for travel or their leisure pursuits, positively contribute to the
sustainability of the marine environment.
Since the partnership began, Hebridean guests have raised well over £10,000 to support
marine conservation work in the UK.
For more information on Sea-Changers please call our reservations staff
on 01756 704704 or visit www.sea-changers.org.uk
14
Registered Charity England and Wales No 1142119 and Scotland No. SCO43922
Carlingford
Lough
Belmond Royal Scotsman
Scotland’s Luxury Sleeper Train
Hebridean Princess and Belmond Royal Scotsman, Scotland's Luxury
Sleeper Train, have teamed up to offer the ultimate luxury tour of Scotland.
A journey on Belmond Royal Scotsman takes you straight to the heart of the
Scottish Highlands.
The train’s interior is designed as a
luxurious home from home and just
36 guests travel through Scotland’s
finest countryside in private cabins
decorated in country style. There are
glorious views from every window,
but to get really close to the scenery
and feel the bracing air, head to the
open deck observation carriage at
the rear.
Belmond Royal Scotsman Journeys:
• 3 or 4-nights on the Belmond Royal
Scotsman, as specified, including all meals,
wine, alcoholic and non-alcoholic
beverages, visits and entertainment;
• Post-train journey accommodation, as
indicated*, at the 5-star Balmoral Hotel,
Edinburgh on a bed and breakfast basis;
• A chauffeur driven transfer from the
Balmoral Hotel to Hebridean’s private
coach on the day of cruise embarkation;
Life on board this luxury train is relaxed
and indulgent, with gastronomic
dining in the two dining cars where
you will be treated to the delicious
* Please note that some journeys do not require
accommodation between the end of the train
journey and commencement of the cruise.
cuisine of the on board chefs.
Itinerary Highlights:
Service is attentive, but never intrusive
and colourful touches, such as being
(all journeys start and end at Edinburgh
Waverley Railway Station)
welcomed on board at Edinburgh
Waverley Station by a Highland Piper,
Western Journey (3 nights)
add to the thrill of the experience.
Rannoch Moor · Morar · Glenfinnan · Nevis Gorge
· Weymss Bay · Isle of Bute · Mount Stuart House
Along the way, guests disembark to
meet local personalities, talk to
experts on subjects from salmon
Classic Journey (4 nights)
fishing to whisky and take part in fun
Idyllic town of Keith · Glen Ord Distillery ·
Luib Summit · Plockton · Eilean Donan Castle ·
Ballindalloch Castle · Strathspey Railway ·
Rothiemurchus Estate · Glamis Castle · Tay Bridge
activities; a truly Scottish rail
vacation par excellence.
For more information or to book
a cruise extension contact our reservations
team on 01756 704704 or email:
reservations@hebridean.co.uk
Departure Date
Journey Name
22nd April
29th April
6th May
13th May
20th May
2nd June
10th June
17th June
24th June
2nd September
16th September
23rd September
6th October
Western Journey
Western Journey
Western Journey
Western Journey
Western Journey
Classic Journey
Western Journey
Western Journey
Western Journey
Western Journey
Western Journey
Western Journey
Classic Journey
Balmoral
Hotel
Nights Nights
3
3
3
3
3
4
3
3
3
3
3
3
4
1
1
1
1
0
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Hebridean
Princess
Departure Date
Hebridean Princess
Cruise Itinerary
Page
26th April
3rd May
10th May
17th May
24th May
7th June
14th June
21st June
28th June
6th September
20th September
27th September
11th October
Footloose through the Inner Isles
Westward to Harris and Lewis
Voyage to the Outer Isles
Call of the Wild
Scotland in Colour
Footloose in the Outer Isles
Manx Heritage
The Hebridean Outposts of St Kilda
Argyll's Atlantic Islands
Highland Heritage
38-39
40-41
42-43
44-45
46-47
50-51
52-53
54-55
56-57
74-75
80-81
82-83
86-87
15
Kisimul Castle, Barra
Scottish Islands A-Z
The wildly beautiful coast of Scotland is scattered with hundreds of islands and islets shaped by the
relentless pounding of the sea and the ever-changing weather. Sublimely secluded, all are unique,
forming a world apart that is little-known and accessible to the very few – yours to explore from the
comfort of our delightfully small ship, Hebridean Princess. Experience their magic and mystery; revel in
their rich diversity from the Firth of Clyde to the Inner and Outer Hebrides, and over the Pentland Firth
to the Northern Isles with their distinctive Nordic feel. Come and discover these precious island gems.
Arran
Please see pages 20, 23, 24, 26, 94 and 97
Colonsay
Firth of Clyde Islands
Influenced by the mild North Atlantic
Drift, Arran is a wildlife haven rising to
high peaks, including four Corbetts.
At the foot of the highest, Goatfell,
nestles 16th century red-sandstone
Brodick Castle, close to Brodick town.
Fifteen miles (24 km) to the north, the
14th century ruined castle of Lochranza
was once a royal hunting lodge.
Canna, Small Isles
Inner Hebrides
Another bird-haven, home to some
200 bird species including the elusive
corncrake, and 400 species of flora,
Colonsay is a landscape of many
contrasts from machair to woods,
moors to green fields and rocky to
sandy cliff-backed shores. Its finest
beach is dramatic Kiloran Bay and
inland lie the exotic woodland gardens
of Colonsay House.
Please see pages 20, 23, 26, 90 and 94
Barra
Outer Hebrides
Named after a 6th century saint and
world-famous for its unique beach
airport, Traigh Mòr, Barra is a beautiful,
tranquil island with a fascinating
history. Golden beaches backed by
sandy, wild flower-dotted machair
surround a more rugged interior. The
main centre is the once prosperous
herring port of Castlebay, where the
Macneil’s medieval fortress, Kisimul
Castle, perches on a rock outcrop
offshore.
Inner Hebrides
Joined to Sanday by a causeway,
secluded Canna lies less than 5 miles
(8 km) off Rum. Dubbed the ‘Garden of
the Hebrides’, this elongated, green
and grassy isle is capped by magnetic
Compass Hill at 458 feet (140 m) in the
north. Canna was one of the earliest
Christian settlements, associated with
St Columba, who was later adopted
as its patron saint.
Cumbraes
Coll
Please see pages 43, 52, 56, 69, 70, 78 and 82
Bute
Crossed by the Highland Boundary
Fault, Bute is an isle of distinctly
contrasting landscapes from the bare,
rounded and craggy uplands of the
north to the lower, undulating and
fertile south. Golden beaches fringe the
west coast, many with views over the
Sound towards Arran. The Victorian
resort of Rothesay is the only town.
16
Coll
Inner Hebrides
The rocky, wild and virtually treeless
island of Coll was first settled in
the Stone Age. Dotted with ruined
cottages, this bird haven is
picturesquely clad in flower-dotted
machair, fringed by silver-white
beaches, and offers refreshing bike
rides and walks.
The contrasting Cumbraes afford fine
views to the mainland, Arran and Bute.
Green and undulating Great Cumbrae is
home to the only town at Millport,
elegantly lining Millport Bay. Here the
tiny but beautiful Cathedral of the Isles,
regarded as Britain’s smallest cathedral,
seats only 100 worshippers. Rough and
rocky Little Cumbrae, held by the
Hunters and later by the Montgomeries,
was maintained as a royal hunting
forest. Its surviving ruins include the
castle demolished by Oliver Cromwell’s
army in 1650 and a small chapel
dedicated to St Beya.
Please see pages 20, 23, 90 and 94
Eigg, Small Isles
Handa
Inner Hebrides
Bought out by its islanders in 1997,
Eigg has been settled since prehistoric
times and was once the seat of the
Lord of the Isles. Its rich past is marked
by Iron Age forts, a 6th century church,
Viking burial mounds and a graveyard
that
is a moving testament to the 395
MacDonalds massacred in a cave by
the MacLeods in 1577. Rising sheer
above the plateau of this wildlife
reserve, columnar pitchstone An Sgurr
adds magic and mystery.
Inner Hebrides
This small, rock isle sits across the
Sound of Handa from the wildly
beautiful west coast of Sutherland.
Magnificent, horizontally stratified
rocks of Torridonian sandstone to the
north-west, weathered through time
into ledges, form a perfect habitat for
nesting seabirds, making Handa one of
the largest colonies in north-western
Europe. Puffin have returned, and other
species include the red-throated and
black-throated diver, eider and shell
duck. The island was abandoned by its
eight resident families in 1847.
Please see page 46
Eriska
Inner Hebrides
‘Water-nymph Island’ in Gaelic, Eriska is
a flat tidal 300 acres (121 ha) island at
the entrance to Loch Creran, linked by
bridge to the mainland. Privatelyowned, it is run as a luxury hotel, based
at Scottish Baronial Eriska House, built
in 1884 by the Stewarts of Appin, in
wooded grounds.
Eriskay
Fair Isle, Shetland
Northern Isles
Fair Isle’s landscape of high red-sandstone
cliffs descends to a low coastline in the
south. Archaeological sites bear witness
to its occupation since the Bronze Age.
An important watch-point for migrating
birds, Fair Isle has been the site of a
permanent observatory since 1948.
The island is also synonymous with its
unique geometric knitting, of possible
Spanish or Scandinavian origin.
Inner Hebrides
Erstwhile seat of the MacDonalds,
Lords of the Isles, mild Islay is
renowned for the peaty single malts
of its eight operating distilleries. Islay
abounds in birdlife at the RSPB Loch
Gruinart Nature Reserve, hub of a
barnacle geese colony and historic
treasures from the 18th century round
church at Bowmore to the late
9th century High Cross of Kildalton.
Jura
Luskentyre beach, Harris
Islay
Please see pages 33 and 84
Outer Hebrides
The reputation of the tiny, hilly yet
well-populated isle of Eriskay extends
far beyond its shores. Home to a rare
pony breed, once used in the mines, it
was here that Bonnie Prince Charlie
first stepped onto Scottish soil in 1745.
Eriskay is also famed as the site of the
sinking of the SS Politician offshore in
1941, which inspired Compton
MacKenzie’s novel and the 1949 film,
‘Whisky Galore’.
Kildalton Cross, Islay
Harris
Outer Hebrides
Historically and geographically apart
from Lewis, Harris is a small region of
many contrasts, offering wonderful
walks and the beauty of Luskentyre
beach on its sandy western shores.
Rodel boasts the finest Pre-Reformation
church in the Western Isles and the
Harris tweeds produced here are
world-famous. Although tenacious
Gaelic strongholds today, Harris and
neighbouring Lewis were the last of
the Hebrides to adopt the language.
Hoy, Orkney
Northern Isles
Measuring 55 square miles, Hoy is
the second largest island of the
Orkney archipelago and is connected
to neighbouring South Walls by a
causeway called The Ayre. Hoy is home
to some of the highest sea cliffs in the
UK as well as the impressive and
famous sea stack, the Old Man of Hoy.
Inner Hebrides
Crowned by the landmark Paps, Jura is
a place of wild beauty offering a haven
to a wide range of wildlife, including
some 6,500 red deer. Glaciated raised
beaches are a marked feature of its
western shores, with the treacherous
Corryvreckan Whirlpool to the north.
Jura has one tiny village of 200
residents, Craighouse, where the small
Jura Distillery has produced a unique
single malt since 1810.
Kerrera
Inner Hebrides
Tiny Kerrera tranquilly guards the
entrance to Oban from its two sheltered
harbours at Ardentrive Bay and Horse
Shoe Bay. Historically a stepping-stone
for cattle drovers between Mull and the
mainland, this fertile and hilly isle is
crowned by the Renaissance MacDougall
stronghold of Gylen Castle.
Please see pages 26, 29 and 55
Holy Isle
Located across Lamlash Bay, Holy Isle
has a long history as a sacred site; a
spring or Holy Well held to have
healing properties, the hermit cave of 6th
century monk Saint Molaise and
evidence of a 13th century monastery
can be found here and there is
evidence of some runic writing on the
roof of the cave of Saint Molaise.
Achamore House Gardens, Gigha
Iona
Gigha
Inner Hebrides
Three miles (4.8 km) west of Kintyre,
green and fertile Gigha, ‘God’s’ or
‘Good Island’, is now owned by its
community. In addition to dairy
farming, goats are reared to produce a
distinctive, fruit-shaped cheese – one of
the isle’s main exports. Ardminish is the
only village and site of Achamore
House set in
50 acre (20 ha) gardens planted by
Sir James Horlick.
Inner Hebrides
The exiled Irish prince and missionary
St Columba reached Iona in 563 to
found his community, landing at pebbled
St Columba’s Bay in the south, as the
legend goes. Originally dating from the
12th century, the restored abbey remains
a much-revered place of pilgrimage. An
enjoyable walk across the windswept
machair leads to the Bay at the Back of
the Ocean, with its Spouting Cave,
facing the open Atlantic and America.
Callanish Standing Stones, Lewis
Lewis
Outer Hebrides
Lewis is the largest and most northerly
of the Hebrides, forming one island
with Harris. Most of its wild landscape,
rising to 1,800 feet (549 m) in the south,
is cloaked in peat bog – hence its Gaelic
name ‘Leodhas’, meaning ‘marshy’.
The Callanish Standing Stones and
well-preserved Carloway Broch 5 miles
(8 km) to the north stand testament to
its occupation since prehistoric times.
The port of Stornoway is the only town.
Please see pages 40, 46, 49, 52, 56, 60, 66,
70 and 81
17
Lunga, Treshnish Isles
Inner Hebrides
Designated a Site of Special Scientific
Interest, Lunga is rich in plant life with
many rare and endangered species
native to the island. Described as a
‘green jewel in a peacock sea’ Lunga
was inhabited until 1857 and the
remains of the ruined village and its
blackhouses can still be seen today.
Please see page 69
Village Bay, St Kilda
Mainland, Orkney
Mull
Northern Isles
Home to the burgh of Kirkwall, the
Orcadian capital, and more recent
Stromness, dating from the 16th century,
Mainland is the most densley populated
of the Orcadian isles. Its fertile soil
attracted settlers from prehisoric times,
as witnessed by the UNESCO World
Heritage Neolithic Heart of Orkney, and
later Pictish remains. As with the whole
of the archipelago, the influence of the
Norsemen was strong.
Inner Hebrides
Fringed by an indented 300 miles
(480 km) coastline, Mull is an island of
sweeping moors broken occasionally
by picturesque clearings. Colourful
Georgian-fronted Tobermory is the
capital and Craignure the main port,
south-east of which lie Scottish
Baronial Torosay Castle and ancient
Duart Castle, seat of the Macleans.
Please see pages 30, 33, 34, 38, 43, 46, 49,
50, 59, 69, 82, 84 and 87
Raasay
Inner Hebrides
Located between Skye and the
mainland, Raasay, ‘Isle of the Roe Deer’,
is relatively low-lying in the north and
mountainous in the south, rising to
1,453 feet (443 m) on central Dun Caan.
Visited by Boswell and Johnson in 1773,
the island is most famous as the
birthplace of Scottish Renaissance poet
Sorley Maclean. The main village is
Inverarish.
Sumburgh Head, Shetland
Mainland, Shetland
Rum, Small Isles
Northern Isles
Home to Shetland’s only burgh of
Lerwick, Mainland is the third-largest of
the Scottish Islands. The long peninsula
of South Mainland, south of Lerwick,
consists mainly of mixed farmland and
moorland with many important
archaeological sites, including Sumburgh
and Scalloway. Blessed with varied
scenery ranging from the charming to
the wildly dramatic, the island is a
paradise for birds and wildlife from
otters to orcas.
Inner Hebrides
Capped by Askival (2,664 ft/ 812 m) in
the rocky Cuillin, the wildlife haven of
The Quiraing, Skye
Mingulay, Berneray and Pabbay
Outer Hebrides
At the south tip of the Hebrides, these
three uninhabited Bishop’s Isles, swathed
in white sandy beaches and flowerscattered machair, are awe-inspiring
from the sea. Around Berneray 600 feet
(183 m) cliffs, nested by thousands of
seabirds, tower up dramatically from
the sea. In the north, the Lewisian
gneiss ‘Hermit Island’ of Pabbay, settled
by an early Christian community, as its
Old Norse name implies, is an ideal spot
on which to land.
Muck, Small Isles
Inner Hebrides
The flat and fertile Isle of Muck
scattered with wild flowers and rimmed
by silver shell-sand beaches, is a
peaceful haven for puffin, kittiwake,
fulmar, shearwater, sea-eagle and the
porpoises that swim off its shores. Port
Mòr is the only village, where the
tearoom and craft shop serves
delicious home baking.
18
Rum is a National Nature Reserve and
research centre. Owned by Scottish
Natural Heritage since 1957, it was
bought by the Lancashire industrialist
John Bullough in 1879. At the turn of
the 20th century, his playboy son,
Sir George built the folly of Kinloch
Castle, which remains a time-capsule
of those headier Edwardian days.
Bay of Newark, Sanday
Sanda
Sanda, ‘Sandaigh’ in Gaelic, is a small,
privately-owned island off the southern
tip of the Kintyre Peninsula. An
important bird migration and breeding
point, it is a Site of Special Scientific
Interest (SSSI), housing the first bird
observatory on the west coast of
Scotland. Although the island is treeless
today, north-western Wood Hill
indicates that this was not always so.
Please see page 23, 26, 90 and 94
Sanday, Orkney
Staffa
Inner Hebrides
Staffa, named ‘Stave’ or ‘Pillar Island’ by
the Vikings, lying 6 miles (10 km) west
of Mull, was formed volcanically at the
same time as the Giant’s Causeway,
cooling into mainly hexagonal black
basalt columns. Cliffs rising to 131 feet
(40 m) are riddled with caves, the most
famous of which is Fingal’s Cave at
Staffa’s southern tip, discovered by
Sir Joseph Banks on 13th August 1772
en route to Iceland and named after
legendary Irish hero, Finn MacCool.
The Uists
Outer Hebrides
A paradise for walkers, the tranquil
Uists abound in geological and
historical contrasts. The low-lying birdhaven of North Uist, scattered with
green-blue lochans, is Norse and
Protestant by tradition, and a world
apart from the Catholic and Gaelic
stronghold of South Uist. The secondlargest of the Outer Isles, South Uist’s
softer, undulating landscape is carpeted
in flower-decked machair and fringed
by dunes.
Stroma, Orkney
Northern Isles
The most southerly of the islands in the
Pentland Firth, Stroma lies between
Orkney and Caithness. The island's
population fell from 375 people in 1901
to just 12 by 1961. The last native
islanders left at the end of the following
year, while Stroma's final abandonment
came in 1997 when the lighthouse
keepers and their families departed.
Langais Stone Circle, North Uist
Grobust beach, Westray
Westray, Orkney
Northern Isles
‘Queen of the North Isles’, Westray is
one of Orkney’s most prosperous islands,
engaged in farming and fishing. Its wide
array of archaeological sites range from
prehistoric settlements to medieval
kirks. Wildlife and flora flourish, with
seals and the extraordinary bird cliffs at
Noup Head, nested by Arctic tern,
gannet, guillemot, corncrake, razorbill,
fulmar, teal, shoveller, tufted duck and
puffin.
Please see page 60
Whalsay, Shetland
Unst, Shetland
Inner Hebrides
Situated off Mull, the tiny isle of Ulva
is a traffic-free haven covering barely
2 square miles (5 km2) and home to
only 16 permanent residents. One of
the most ancient settlements in the
Western Isles and erstwhile seat of Clan
MacQuarrie, the island is now privately
owned by the Howard family. Ulva’s
past is well documented at Sheila’s
Cottage Museum on the west coast.
Northern Isles
Lying off the east coast of Shetland’s
Mainland, a little east of Voe, Whalsay,
from the old Norse for ‘Whale Island’ is
the 6th largest of the Shetland islands.
Better known to Scottish fishermen as
‘The Bonnie Isle’, fishing is the foremost
local industry with the main fishing fleet
based at Symbister, the principal
settlement. A museum has been created
in the restored Symbister Pierhouse,
also called the Hanseatic Booth, to
exhibit details of fishing from centuries
past, when German merchants from the
Hanseatic League traded for the cured
fish which were caught from open boats.
The impressive Georgian mansion,
Symbister House, overlooking
Symbister harbour was built by the
Bruce family in the early 1800s. The last
resident laird died in 1944 since when
the house has been the home of
Whalsay School.
Please see page 63
Northern Isles
Measuring just 46 square miles, Unst is
the most northern of the inhabited
British Isles and the third largest of the
Shetland Islands. Baltasound is the
capital town and the second largest
fishing port of Shetland after Lerwick.
Vat of Kirbister, Stronsay
Stronsay, Orkney
Northern Isles
One of the Orcadian isles, Stronsay was
dubbed ‘Star Island’ in Old Norse after
its irregular, multi-pointed coastline.
This fertile and flat isle of rich farmland
with excellent grazing for cattle supports
an array of rare plant species, including
the blue-flowered oyster-plant. The Vat
of Kirbister in the east, near Odin Bay,
is a spectacular feature of a varied
coastline, with a number of pristine
beaches. The present population of 380
is mainly based in the northern village of
Whitehall.
Please see page 64
Tanera Mòr, Summer Isles
Highland Isles
Tanera Mòr is the largest of the
Summer Isles, a cluster of scenic islets
located off the coast of Ullapool. Atop
a lush, grassy hill, the flat summit of
Meall Mòr commands panoramic views
over the surrounding area. The unique
private post office issues its own
stamps, and opens out of hours especially
for our visits.
Ulva
Vatersay
Outer Hebrides
The most southerly of the inhabited
Outer Isles, Vatersay is sliced in two
by a narrow bar of sand and machair.
With dramatic beaches, spectacular
wildlife and a history dating from the
Bronze Age, this beautiful isle has much
to offer. The population of just over
70 residents is centred mainly around
Vatersay town in the south.
Yell, Shetland
Tiree
Inner Hebrides
Enjoying long hours of sunshine, mild,
fertile Tiree is the most westerly of the
Inner Hebrides. This wild flower and
birdlife haven, with shell-sand blown
machair and surf-washed beaches, is
much favoured by artists for its natural
beauty and colour. Duns and brochs bear
witness to its ancient history, while the
white Thatched House Museum in Sandaig
reveals its more recent crofting past.
Yell, Shetland
Vatersay
Northern Isles
Inhabited since Neolithic times, the
North Isle of Yell is the second-largest
of the Shetland isles. Its coast is rocky
in the west and low-lying and sandy in
the east, with a central region of thick
peat, the habitat of wild orchids. Noted
for its otters, Yell is also home to a
diverse bird population, including great
and Arctic Skua at Lumbister RSPB
Reserve in the north-west. Burravoe in
the south-east is the main settlement.
Please see page 63
19
Greenock – Greenock
Inveraray Jail
Loch
Goil
Strachur
Crarae
Loch
Ardkinglas
Long
e
House
n
y
Benmore
F
Botanic Garden
ch
o
L
Holy Loch
Tarbert
Doon the Watter
Portavadie
Rothesay
Rothesay
Castle
BUTE
Tuesday 1st to Monday 7th March 2016
GREENOCK
I N V E R C LY D E
GREAT CUMBRAE
Cathedral of the Isles
6 nights including 2 Gala Dinners
As spring awakens, join us at the start of the
ARRAN
Brodick
Firth of
Clyde
2016 season exploring the Argyll lochs where we
visit a castle, grand house, Victorian garden, jail
and courtroom complex as well as Britain’s
smallest cathedral.
From Greenock we sail to the beautiful island of Great
Cumbrae, home to Britain’s smallest cathedral, the
Hebridean Highlights
Cathedral of the Isles, commissioned by the 6th Earl of
G
Glasgow, George Boyle. Sailing to the Isle of Bute we
G
Inveraray Jail and Courtroom Complex
visit Rothesay Castle, recognised for its unusual circular
G
Ardkinglas House
design and history dating back to the 13th century.
G
Benmore Botanic Garden
G
Loch Long and Long Goil
Our next port of call is the largest of the Clyde islands,
Arran, where we enjoy a scenic tour of this once popular
island retreat before cruising Loch Fyne and visiting
Inveraray Jail, described as one of the best preserved jail
and courtroom complexes in the world.
Onwards to Ardkinglas House, built in 1907 and
considered to be architect Sir Robert Lorimer’s
masterpiece, this was the former home to Johnny Noble,
founder of Loch Fyne Oysters. From here we stretch our
legs in the picturesque fishing village of Tarbert before
visiting Portavadie, a place of great contrast with its
modern marina and which owes its sheltered anchorage
to an ill-fated attempt in the 1970s to regenerate the
area by building oil platforms.
Travel Plan – 6 nights
Please refer to the 2016 Cruise Diary & Tariff for prices
Tuesday 1st March – Greenock - Embarkation.
Wednesday 2nd March – Morning; Great Cumbrae –
Cathedral of the Isles.
Afternoon; Rothesay, Bute – Rothesay Castle.
Thursday 3rd March – Morning; Brodick, Arran – Island tour.
Afternoon; Cruise Loch Fyne.
Friday 4th March – Morning; Crarae – Inveraray Jail.
Afternoon; Strachur – Ardkinglas House.
Saturday 5th March – Morning; Tarbert, Loch Fyne – Village walks.
Afternoon; Portavadie – Walks ashore.
Sunday 6th March – Morning; Holy Loch – Benmore Botanic
Garden.
Afternoon; Cruise Loch Long and Loch Goil.
Monday 7th March – Greenock – Disembarkation.
At Holy Loch we discover Benmore Botanic Garden, with
its avenue of Giant Redwoods and refurbished Victorian
fernery, ahead of our last afternoon taking in the breathtaking scenery as we cruise Loch Long and Loch Goil
running deep into the hills of Argyll.
20
Main image: Hebridean Princess, Arran and Great Cumbrae from Largs; Images left to right: Ardkinglas House; Benmore Botanic Garden; Tarbert Castle 21
22 Main image: Brodick Bay, Arran; Images left to right: Northern Gannet; Cathedral of the Isles, Great Cumbrae; Rothesay Castle
GREENOCK
I N V E R C LY D E
BUTE
Rothesay
Rothesay Castle
GREAT
CUMBRAE
Cathedral of
the Isles
Islands of the Clyde
Monday 7th to Friday 11th March 2016
4 nights including Welcome Cocktail Party and 1 Gala Dinner
ARRAN
Brodick
Island Tour
Firth of
Clyde
This cruise also departs on 8th November 2016
The elegance of Hebridean Princess allows us to
sample the beauty of the Clyde islands in comfort
with this wonderful four night itinerary that takes us
to Britain’s smallest cathedral and a privately owned
SANDA
AILSA CRAIG
ISLAND
Site of Special
Scientific Interest
island, designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
Steaming from Greenock we sail towards Britain’s
smallest cathedral on the delightful island of Great
Cumbrae. The cathedral was commissioned by the
G
6th Earl of Glasgow, George Boyle, designed by
G
Sanda Island – Site of Special
Scientific Interest
G
Ailsa Craig
G
Rothesay Castle
William Butterfield and completed in 1848. Arran is the
largest of the Clyde islands and plays host to our next
port of call where we enjoy a tour of this once popular
island retreat.
Onwards to the privately owned Sanda Island,
designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest for its
Monday 7th March – Greenock – Embarkation.
importance to both migrating and breeding birds and
which is home to the first bird observatory on the west
coast of Scotland.
An afternoon sail allows us to circumnavigate the
imposing island of Ailsa Craig, once quarried for its blue
hone granite used in the making of curling stones, but
now home to vast numbers of gannets and an increasing
Tuesday 8th March – Morning; Great Cumbrae – Cathedral of
the Isles.
Afternoon; Brodick, Arran – Island tour.
Wednesday 9th March – Morning; Sanda Island – Walks ashore.
Afternoon; Circumnavigate Ailsa Craig.
Thursday 10th March – Morning; Bute – Island tour.
Friday 11th March – Greenock – Disembarkation.
population of puffins.
Cruising to Bute we take a tour of this island of distinctly
contrasting landscapes ahead of our last visit to
Rothesay Castle, previously described as one of the
most imposing castles in Scotland owing to its long
standing history and unusual circular design.
23
Scenic Cruising
Fy
ne
Scenic Cruising
Loch
Goil
Loch
Long
Lo
ch
Holy Loch
Argyll Mausoleum
Historic Kilmun
Loch
Striven
GREENOCK
I N V E R C LY D E
Lochs of Argyll
Tarbert
Tarbert Castle
BUTE
Rothesay
Ascog
Fernery
Friday 11th to Tuesday 15th March 2016
This cruise also departs on 12th November 2016
ARRAN
Firth of
Clyde
Escape to the tranquillity of some of the most
beautiful and peaceful lochs of Argyll with this four
night cruise encompassing village walks, a restored
fernery once forgotten by time and a mausoleum
built to house the Dukes and Earls of Argyll.
Lying on the geographical fault of the Highland Line, the
island of Bute is home to our first visit, Ascog Fernery.
Dating to around 1870 this Victorian fernery was
G
Ascog Fernery
rediscovered and restored by its current owners and is
G
Tarbert Castle
believed to house the oldest fern in the United
G
Loch Striven and Loch Fyne
Kingdom – Todea Barbara or ‘the thousand year old fern’.
G
Historic Kilmun and Argyll Mausoleum
G
Loch Long and Loch Goil
An afternoon cruise continues through the narrow Kyles
of Bute and Loch Striven; during World War II the loch
was used for training the X-Craft midget submarine
crews, deployed to attack the Tirpitz.
Ashore at the fishing village of Tarbert, with its ruined
castle once occupied by Robert the Bruce, we stretch
our legs before enjoying a scenic cruise of Loch Fyne.
Located on the shores of Holy Loch we visit Historic
Friday 11th March – Greenock - Embarkation.
Saturday 12th March – Morning; Rothesay, Bute – Ascog Fernery.
Afternoon; Cruise Loch Striven and Kyles of Bute.
Sunday 13th March – Morning; Tarbert, Loch Fyne – Village
walks.
Afternoon; Cruise Loch Fyne.
Mausoluem was constructed to house the remains of the
Monday 14th March – Morning; Holy Loch – Historic Kilmun and
Argyll Mausoleum.
Dukes and Earls of Argyll, Chiefs of the Clan Campbell
Tuesday 15th March – Greenock – Disembarkation.
Kilmun and Argyll Mausoleum. Built in 1790 the Argyll
and their families. Records indicate that Clan Campbell
chiefs have been buried here since the 15th century and
the last burial was that of the 10th Duke in 1949.
Our final afternoon is spent cruising Loch Long and
Loch Goil where we can enjoy the wonderful remoteness
of these lochs, yet so close to the once industrial Clyde.
24
Main image: Ascog Victorian Fernery; Images left to right: Loch Fyne; Argyll Mausoleum at Kilmun; Tarbert 25
Greenock – Oban
MULL
KERRERA
OBAN
Oban Distillery
Ardfern
Arduaine
Garden
Spirit of Scotland
JURA
Rhu
Glengoyne Distillery
Hill House
Loch Striven
GREENOCK
Loch na Mile
Jura Distillery
ISLAY
Bowmore
Distillery
Kildalton Cross
Tuesday 15th to Tuesday 22nd March 2016
Scotland is renowned for some of the best whiskies in
the world and this new cruise will take us to some of the
BUTE
Lochranza
Arran Distillery
Port Ellen
Laphroaig
Distillery
ARRAN
finest distilleries in the Western Isles, with the option of
alternative visits to houses, castles and gardens.
Coach transfers will be provided from Glasgow Central Railway Station and
Glasgow International Airport to Greenock at the start of the cruise, and from
Oban to Glasgow International Airport and Glasgow Central Railway Station at
the end of the cruise. Car parking is available at Greenock and a complimentary
transfer will be provided from Oban to Greenock on the day of disembarkation
for guests wishing to utilise the car parking facility in Greenock.
26
Rothesay
Rothesay Castle
Bute Museum
Mull of
Kintyre
Campbeltown
Springbank Distillery
SANDA ISLAND
Main image: Laphroaig Distillery, Islay; Images top to bottom: Sanda Lighthouse; Bowmore Distillery; Arduaine Garden
Leaving Greenock en route for Oban, our first visit is to the
Glengoyne Distillery where whisky has been produced
continuously since 1833. Alternatively, visit one of Charles
Rennie Mackintosh's most famous works, Hill House at
Helensburgh.
Onwards to the Isle of Bute and the 13th century Rothesay
Castle, famed for its circular design, then an afternoon tour
Guest Speaker
Charles MacLean
Charles MacLean, Master of the Quaich, has
published over a dozen books about Scotch
whisky. He acts as a consultant to the whisky
industry, travels extensively talking about and
tasting whisky, and recently achieved celebrity
for playing himself in Ken Loach’s awardwinning film The Angels Share.
of the Isle of Arran beckons or, for whisky lovers, a tour of
the Arran Distillery.
The privately owned Sanda Island is designated as a Site
of Special Scientific Interest for its importance to both
Tuesday 15th March – Greenock – Embarkation.
migrating and breeding birds. At Campbeltown our
Wednesday 16th March – Morning; Rhu – Glengoyne Distillery
or Hill House. Afternoon; Cruise Loch Striven.
third distillery is Springbank.
After rounding the Mull of Kintyre, the whisky isle of Islay
plays host to the first of two distillery visits, Laphroaig,
famous for its peaty single malts. A guided tour to the
historic Kildalton Cross may be preferred.
Our exploration of the whisky isle continues with a tour of
Bowmore, the first recorded distillery on Islay and founded
over two centuries ago in 1779. Sailing to neighbouring Jura
Thursday 17th March – Morning; Rothesay, Bute – Rothesay Castle.
Afternoon; Lochranza, Arran – Arran Distillery or Island tour.
Friday 18th March – Morning; Sanda Island – Walks ashore.
Afternoon; Campbeltown – Springbank Distillery.
Saturday 19th March – Morning; Cruise the Mull of Kintyre.
Afternoon; Port Ellen, Islay – Laphroaig Distillery and
Kildalton Cross.
Sunday 20th March – Morning; Port Ellen, Islay – Bowmore
Distillery.
Afternoon; Loch na Mile, Jura – Jura Distillery or walks ashore.
we explore the Jura Distillery, before sailing further north to
Monday 21st March – Morning; Ardfern – Arduaine Garden.
Afternoon; Kerrera – Oban Distillery or walks ashore.
visit the plantsman’s paradise of Arduaine Garden.
Tuesday 22nd March – Oban – Disembarkation.
With Oban almost upon us, we enjoy walks on the island of
Kerrera or take the small boats to the Oban Distillery.
27
28 Main image: Iona Abbey; Images left to right: Plockton; Coll; Ardtornish Estate Gardens
Oban – Oban
SKYE
Plockton
Kyle of Lochalsh
Eilean Donan
Castle
Armadale
Clan Donald Centre
Easter in the Hebrides
RUM
Kinloch Castle
Tuesday 22nd to Tuesday 29th March 2016
Experience the tranquility of the holy Isle of Iona
and its restored abbey on Easter Sunday and
marvel at one of the most photographed castles
MUCK
Loch
Sunart
COLL
Loch
Tuath
ULVA
Sheila’s
Cottage
Inverie
The Old
Forge Pub
EIGG
Lochaline
Ardtornish Estate
Gardens
MULL
IONA
Iona Abbey
KERRERA
OBAN
in Scotland – Eilean Donan, before exploring a
modern day highland estate.
The Small Isle of Rum is our first stop on this Easter
cruise, where we visit Kinloch Castle, once the summer
G
Kinloch Castle
G
Clan Donald Centre
At Armadale, located on the south east of Skye, we
G
Eilean Donan Castle
explore the Clan Donald Centre and learn the history of
G
Conservation Village of Plockton
this once powerful clan, before enjoying the picturesque
G
The Old Forge Pub
conservation village of Plockton from Kyle of Lochalsh.
G
Iona Abbey – Easter Sunday
G
Ardtornish Estate Gardens
home of Lancastrian industrialists, the Bullough Family.
We tour the iconic Eilean Donan Castle, which lay in
ruins from 1719 until it was fully restored in 1932, before
sailing to Inverie for an afternoon visit to The Old Forge,
the remotest pub on the UK mainland.
Tuesday 22nd March – Oban – Embarkation.
On Coll we explore on foot before steaming to the Isle of
Ulva, home to Sheila’s cottage and one of Telford’s
parliamentary churches. Our journey continues and on
Easter Sunday morning, weather permitting, we land on
the holy isle of Iona and join the Easter Sunday service
at the restored abbey, followed by an afternoon cruise of
Loch Sunart.
During the last full day of our cruise we enjoy Ardtornish
Estate Gardens on the Morvern peninsula, boasting over
25 acres of gardens and wonderful vistas of sea and
mountain. Finally, we stretch our legs on the pretty island
of Kerrera, which protects the entrance to Oban Bay.
Wednesday 23rd March – Morning; Loch Scresort, Rum, –
Kinloch Castle.
Afternoon; Armadale, Skye – Clan Donald Centre.
Thursday 24th March – Morning; Cruise the Narrows and
Kyle Rhea.
Afternoon; Plockton – Walks ashore.
Friday 25th March – Morning; Kyle of Lochalsh – Eilean
Donan Castle.
Afternoon; Inverie – The Old Forge Pub.
Saturday 26th March – Morning; Isle of Coll – Walks ashore.
Afternoon; Ulva – Sheila’s Cottage.
Sunday 27th March – Morning; Iona – Benedictine Abbey.
Afternoon; Cruise Loch Sunart.
Monday 28th March – Morning; Lochaline – Ardtornish
Estate Gardens.
Afternoon; Kerrera – Walks ashore.
Tuesday 29th March – Oban – Disembarkation.
29
Oban – Oban
MUCK
COLL
TIREE
Escape to the
Highlands and Islands
Skerryvore
Lighthouse
Museum
Fort William
Salen
Ancient Sunart
Oakwood
Aonach
Mòr
Loch a’Choire
Ballachulish
Kingairloch
Glencoe
Estate
Visitor
MULL
Centre
Craignure
Duart Castle
OBAN
Ardmaddy
Castle Garden
IONA
Iona
Abbey
Tuesday 29th March to Tuesday 5th April 2016
Corryvreckan
COLONSAY
Colonsay House
Gardens
The Inner Hebrides form a wonderful tapestry of
landscapes in the sheltered waters off the west coast
of Scotland. Experience the diverse landscapes and
amazing wildlife that make these islands unique.
From Oban we cruise Loch Linnhe to Fort William where
we have the opportunity to ride the Gondola to Aonach
Mòr in the Nevis Range. At Ballachulish we wonder at
G
Gondola Ride – Nevis Range
the majesty of Glencoe whilst discovering its tragic
G
Kingairloch Estate
history at the visitor centre.
G
Ardmaddy Castle Garden
G
Colonsay House Gardens
Cross Loch Linnhe to Loch a’ Choire and Kingairloch
G
Iona Abbey
Estate for a guided walk as we learn how the estate has
G
Skerryvore Lighthouse Museum
adapted to modern times. Cruising south to Seil Sound
G
Duart Castle
we visit Ardmaddy Castle Garden before sailing west
through the Corryvreckan Whirlpool, the third largest
whirlpool in the world, and on to the island of Colonsay
and Colonsay House Gardens owned by the Strathcona
family for over 100 years.
On the sacred isle of Iona we explore the beautifully
restored Benedictine Abbey and on Tiree we visit
Hynish, where we learn about the construction of the
Skerryvore Lighthouse, a legacy of remarkable 19th
Tuesday 29th March – Oban – Embarkation.
Wednesday 30th March – Morning; Fort William – Aonach Mòr.
Afternoon; Ballachulish – Glencoe Visitor Centre.
Thursday 31st March – Morning; Loch a’Choire – Kingairloch Estate.
Afternoon; Seil Sound – Ardmaddy Castle Garden.
Friday 1st April – Morning; Cruise Corryvreckan.
Afternoon; Colonsay – Colonsay House Gardens.
century engineering.
Saturday 2nd April – Morning; Iona – Benedictine Abbey.
Afternoon; Tiree – Skerryvore Lighthouse Museum.
After a stroll or perhaps an invigorating cycle on Coll
Sunday 3rd April – Morning; Coll – Walks ashore.
Afternoon; Muck – Walks ashore.
we move on to the Small Isle of Muck, for a chance to
stretch our legs and patronise the island’s renowned
tea room.
From Salen a walk in the ancient Sunart Oakwood is
available followed by a sail of the Sound of Mull to
Craignure, Isle of Mull, where we enjoy a guided tour of
Duart Castle, ahead of our final farewell gala dinner on
board Hebridean Princess.
30
Monday 4th April – Morning; Salen – Ancient Sunart Oakwood.
Afternoon; Craignure, Mull – Duart Castle.
Tuesday 5th April – Oban – Disembarkation.
Main image: Ben Nevis and Fort William; Images left to right: Duart Castle, Mull; Gallanach Bay, Muck; Ancient Sunart Oakwood 31
32 Main image: Kinloch Lodge, Skye; Images left to right: Laphroaig Distillery, Islay; Three Chimneys Restaurant, Skye; Isle of Mull Cheese
Oban – Oban
Dunvegan
Dunvegan
Castle
& DR
I
OD
I
NT
CANNA
SKYE
Armadale
Kinloch
Lodge
EIGG
ERES
MUCK
Tuesday 5th to Tuesday 12th April 2016
This cruise also departs on 4th October 2016
Scotland is rightly proud of its reputation for its
Kyle of Lochalsh
RUM
T
NK
FO
Three Chimneys
Restaurant
COLL
Tobermory
Isle of Mull Cheese
MULL
Craignure
STAFFA
IONA Duart Castle
Iona Abbey
COLONSAY
Colonsay Oysters
and Honey
ERISKA
Isle of
Eriska Hotel
OBAN
JURA
wonderful natural larder and those who produce
mouth-watering creations. Join Hebridean Princess
as we explore the wonderful culinary offerings of
the Highlands and Islands.
Islay has a reputation for big peaty whiskies and from
Port Ellen we visit one of the island’s famous distilleries,
ISLAY
Port Ellen
Laphroaig
Distillery
Food & Drink Highlights
Laphroaig. On Colonsay meet the man who supplies
G
Laphroaig Distillery
Hebridean Princess with oysters, but also learn about his
G
Colonsay Oysters and Honey Farm
other passion – honey and the black tailed bees he keeps.
G
Lunch and Cookery Demonstration –
Kinloch Lodge
Columba’s Iona is our next port of call and as we sail
G
Lunch – Three Chimneys Restaurant
towards Skye for our overnight anchorage, we cruise
G
Isle of Mull Cheese
past the island of Staffa with its famous Fingal’s Cave.
G
Lunch – Isle of Eriska Hotel
G
Duart Castle – Champagne Reception
From Armadale a cookery demonstration and lunch at
the Michelin starred Kinloch Lodge beckons, before a sail
to Kyle of Lochalsh. A morning cruise takes us to Loch
Dunvegan, where we visit Dunvegan Castle and enjoy
Tuesday 5th April – Oban – Embarkation.
lunch at the world renowned Three Chimneys Restaurant.
Wednesday 6th April – Morning; Port Ellen, Islay –
Laphroaig Distillery.
Afternoon; Colonsay – Oysters and honey.
As we delight in the Small Isles we head south to
Mull and our next port of call, the island capital of
Tobermory. Here we visit Isle of Mull Cheese, a small,
family farm, to learn how the local cheeses are made
by hand.
Our final morning is spent at the Isle of Eriska Hotel,
situated on its own private island, where we enjoy lunch
in the Michelin starred restaurant. We conclude our
culinary adventure by returning to Mull for a Champagne
reception at Duart Castle, hosted by Sir Lachlan Maclean,
Chieftain of Clan Maclean.
Thursday 7th April – Morning; Iona – Benedictine Abbey.
Afternoon; Cruise past Staffa to Skye.
Friday 8th April – Morning; Armadale, Skye – Cookery
demonstration and lunch at Kinloch Lodge.
Afternoon; Kyle of Lochalsh – Walks ashore.
Saturday 9th April – Morning; Cruise east coast of Skye.
Afternoon; Dunvegan, Skye – Lunch at Three
Chimneys/Dunvegan Castle.
Sunday 10th April – Morning; Cruise the Small Isles.
Afternoon; Tobermory, Mull – Isle of Mull Cheese.
Monday 11th April – Morning; Isle of Eriska – Lunch at Isle of
Eriska Hotel.
Afternoon; Craignure, Mull – Duart Castle, Champagne reception.
33
Oban – Oban
Trotternish
peninsula
RDEN
GA
IN
Loch
Dunvegan
Dunvegan Castle
and Garden
Gairloch
Uig
Shieldaig
SKYE
TE R EST
Castles and Gardens
of the North
Little
Minch
Plockton
Attadale
Gardens
RUM
Kinloch
Castle
MUCK
COLL
Cruise to several different lochs and sounds, an iconic
castle, wonderful gardens, dramatic landscapes and
abundant wildlife; a cruise with something for everyone.
34
Inverewe
Garden
MULL
Kyle of Lochalsh
Eilean Donan
Castle
Armadale
Armadale Castle
Gardens
Inverie
The Old
Forge Pub
Lochaline
Ardtornish Estate
Gardens
Craignure
Duart Castle
OBAN
Main image: Eilean Donan Castle; Images top to bottom: Inverewe Garden; Kinloch Castle, Rum; Armadale Castle Gardens
Our first island call is the Small Isle of Muck, where we stretch
our legs before heading to Rum and Kinloch Castle, built in
Annan sandstone by the Lancastrian industrialist, Sir George
Bullough, as his country retreat.
We continue along the south west coast of Skye to Loch
Dunvegan and Dunvegan Castle, home to Clan MacLeod and
a splendid location for observing the resident seal population.
From Uig we enjoy a tour of the Trotternish peninsula.
Sailing to Gairloch we explore the world renowned Inverewe
Garden, situated on the same latitude as Hudson Bay in Canada
and then, from Loch Torridon, to the remote mainland village
of Shieldaig.
Onwards to Loch Carron and Plockton where we have the
opportunity to visit Attadale Gardens with its sunken garden.
From our berth at Kyle of Lochalsh we travel to the iconic Eilean
Donan Castle, which lay in ruins from 1719 until it was fully
restored in 1932 after 20 years of work by John MacRae-Gilstrap.
Returning to Skye, Armadale Castle Gardens beckon, home to
the Clan Donald Centre and set in the grounds of the ruined
castle. The afternoon is spent enjoying a drink at the Old Forge,
the remotest public house on mainland Britain.
Our final full day encompasses the Ardtornish Estate Gardens
on the Morvern peninsula, followed by a farewell Champagne
reception at Duart Castle, Mull, hosted by Sir Lachlan Maclean,
Chieftain of Clan Maclean.
Garden Highlights
G
Kinloch Castle
G
Inverewe Garden
G
Attadale Gardens
G
Eilean Donan Castle
G
Armadale Castle Gardens
G
G
Duart Castle – Champagne Reception
Wednesday 13th April – Morning; Muck – Walks ashore.
Afternoon; Loch Scresort, Rum – Kinloch Castle.
Thursday 14th April – Morning; Loch Dunvegan, Skye –
Dunvegan Castle.
Afternoon; Uig, Skye – Tour Trotternish peninsula.
Friday 15th April – Morning; Gairloch – Inverewe Garden.
Afternoon; Shieldaig – Walks ashore.
Saturday 16th April – Morning; Plockton – Attadale Gardens.
Afternoon; Kyle of Lochalsh – Eilean Donan Castle.
Sunday 17th April – Morning; Armadale, Skye – Armadale
Castle Gardens.
Afternoon; Inverie – The Old Forge Pub.
Monday 18th April – Morning; Lochaline – Ardtornish Estate Gardens.
Afternoon; Craignure, Mull – Duart Castle, Champagne reception.
35
36
LEWIS
HARRIS SHIANT ISLES
NORTH UIST
North
Minch
Inner
Sound
SKYE
SOUTH UIST Little
Minch
So
un
d
CANNA
BARRA
PABBAY Sea of the RUM
MINGULAY
BERNERAY Hebrides MUCK
So
un
do
COLL
of
Sl
ea
t
BENBECULA
fM
TIREE
MULL
ull
OBAN
JURA
ISLAY
Oban – Oban
Springtime Surprise
Join Hebridean Princess on this spring surprise as
Captain Richard Heaton decides the itinerary on a daily
basis, taking you to some of his favourite destinations.
Although the itinerary is unknown, you will be assured
of excellent service, exquisite cuisine and the
understated elegance of Hebridean Princess.
Please note that it is planned for Captain Heaton to be Master on this
cruise, however this may be changed without notice.
37
Ullapool
Ullapool Museum
Corrieshalloch
Gorge
Oban – Oban
Loch Ewe
Inverewe
Garden
Gairloch
Flowerdale
Glen
G
A LK I N
W
CR
U ISE
SKYE
Portree
Aros Experience
RAASAY
Loch Coruisk
Loch Scavaig
Footloose through
the Inner Isles
RUM
Kinloch
Castle
Tuesday 26th April to Tuesday 3rd May 2016
MUCK
Inverie
The Old Forge Pub
Brocket Monument
EIGG
An Sgùrr
COLL
Tobermory
Our first Footloose cruise of 2016 visits the diverse
landscapes of the Inner Hebrides, offering a string of
MULL
energising walks and fascinating visits. Whether enjoying a
OBAN
short tranquil stroll or a brisker walk, this cruise of mainland
and island highlights offers the best of both worlds.
The Small Isle of Rum is our first stop allowing us to visit
Kinloch Castle or walk with our guides, before sailing to
Loch Scavaig, Isle of Skye, for an afternoon of walks and
Footloose Walking
Highlights
G
Rum – Walks and Strolls
G
Loch Coruisk – Walks and Strolls
Strolling briefly on the island of Raasay we return to
G
Raasay – Walks and Strolls
Skye where, from Portree, there is the opportunity to
G
Loch Ewe – Full Day Walk Programme
enjoy either the Aros Experience or walk to the quiet
G
Slattadale – Full Day Walk Programme
village of Torvaig.
G
Inverie – Brocket Monument
G
Eigg – An Sgùrr
strolls at stunning Loch Coruisk.
At Gairloch the picturesque Flowerdale Glen beckons
before arriving at Loch Ewe, famous for its garden at
Inverewe, where we land directly into the grounds.
Walkers embrace a full days walking.
From our berth at Ullapool we explore the award-winning
museum before discovering the dramatic box canyon of
Corrieshalloch Gorge. From Slattadale walkers engage in
another full day of walks.
After cruising the Inner Sound we arrive at Inverie
and enjoy a drink at The Old Forge Pub, with the option
to trek to the Brocket Monument, sitting high on a
rocky knoll.
Our final day leads us to the Small Isle of Eigg,
dominated by the pitchstone ridge of An Sgùrr and
can only be tackled by the most intrepid of our walkers.
The last afternoon is spent in colourful Tobermory
on Mull for some last minute shopping.
38
Wednesday 27th April – Morning; Loch Scresort, Rum –
Kinloch Castle or glen walk.
Afternoon; Loch Scavaig, Skye – Walks at Loch Coruisk.
Thursday 28th April – Morning; Raasay – Walks ashore.
Afternoon; Portree, Skye – Aros or walks at Torvaig.
Friday 29th April – Morning; Gairloch – Flowerdale Glen or
full day walk.
Afternoon; Loch Ewe – Inverewe Garden.
Saturday 30th April – Morning; Ullapool – Ullapool Museum
or full day walk.
Afternoon; Ullapool – Corrieshalloch Gorge.
Sunday 1st May – Morning; Cruise the Inner Sound.
Afternoon; Inverie – The Old Forge Pub or walks to
Brocket Monument.
Monday 2nd May – Morning; Eigg – Walks ashore or walk An Sgùrr.
Afternoon; Tobermory, Mull – Walks ashore.
Tuesday 3rd May – Disembarkation in Oban.
Main image: An Sgùrr, Eigg; Images left to right: White Tailed Eagle, Raasay; Loch Scavaig, Skye; Ullapool 39
Oban – Oban
Carloway Broch
LEWIS
Callanish Stones
Stornoway
The
Lews Castle
Minch
Museum
Tarbert
St Clement’s Church
SHIANT
HARRIS
ISLES
Inverewe
Garden
Gairloch
SKYE
Tuesday 3rd to Tuesday 10th May 2016
This cruise also departs on 20th September 2016
Shieldaig
RAASAY
Armadale
Clan Donald Centre
CANNA
RUM
Plockton
Attadale Gardens
Kyle Rhea
EIGG
Join Hebridean Princess as she explores the Inner
and Outer Hebrides, including the Small Isle of Eigg
and larger neighbour of Skye, along with the Outer
Isles of Harris and Lewis and the uninhabited Shiants.
40
COLL
So
un
do
fM
ull
MULL
OBAN
Main image: Callanish Stones, Lewis; Images top to bottom: Raasay; Guillemots, Shiant Isles; Luskentyre beach, Harris
Departing from Oban and venturing round Ardnamurchan, we
spend the morning cruising north through Kyle Rhea and under
G
Tweed Weaving Demonstration
G
Shiant Isles
G
Callanish Standing Stones and
Carloway Broch
G
Lews Castle Museum
G
Inverewe Garden
Located on the edge of the Outer Hebrides are the uninhabited
G
Conservation Village of Shieldaig
Shiant Isles, where we intend to land by beach landing craft to
G
Attadale Gardens
the Skye Bridge to the island of Raasay for an afternoon of strolls.
Arriving at Tarbert on the Isle of Harris we enjoy an island tour
including a tweed weaving demonstration and a call at the
ancient church of St Clement’s, built in the 1500s.
admire the thousands of breeding seabirds including puffins.
Returning to the Outer Isles we journey to the famous standing
stones at Callanish on Lewis, the 2,000 year old Carloway
Broch and the more recently constructed Lews Castle Museum.
Cruising The Minch to Gairloch on the mainland we appreciate
the delights of Inverewe Garden, a vision of Osgood Mackenzie
and set on a barren bluff.
Continuing to the conservation village of Shieldaig we stretch
our legs ashore, before sailing to Loch Carron where we visit
Attadale Gardens with its Japanese Water Garden and
collection of sculpture.
Onwards to Armadale and the Clan Donald Centre which
Tuesday 3rd May – Oban – Embarkation.
Wednesday 4th May – Morning; Cruise Kyle Rhea and The Narrows.
Afternoon; Raasay – Walks ashore.
Thursday 5th May – Morning; Tarbert, Harris – Island tour
including St Clement’s Church, Rodel.
Afternoon; Shiant Isles – Beach landing.
Friday 6th May – Morning; Stornoway, Lewis – Callanish Stones
and Carloway Broch.
Afternoon; Stornoway, Lewis – Lews Castle Museum.
Saturday 7th May – Morning; Cruise The Minch.
Afternoon; Gairloch – Inverewe Garden.
Sunday 8th May – Morning; Shieldaig – Walks ashore.
Afternoon; Plockton – Attadale Gardens.
depicts the history of this once powerful Clan and then our
Monday 9th May – Morning; Armadale, Skye – Clan Donald Centre.
Afternoon; Eigg – Walks Ashore.
final port of call is the Small Isle of Eigg, now owned by its
Tuesday 10th May – Oban – Disembarkation.
community following a buyout in 1997.
41
42 Main image: Beasdaire, Berneray; Images left to right: View from the Uists; Kisimul Castle, Barra; Vatersay
Oban – Oban
HARRIS
NORTH
Barpa Langass UIST
Pobull Fhinn
Lochmaddy
BENBECULA
Tuesday 10th to Tuesday 17th May 2016
This cruise also departs on 27th September 2016
SOUTH
UIST
Lochboisdale
the inner Hebridean island of Canna, owned by
the National Trust for Scotland, to the Outer Isles
of Barra, Vatersay, the Uists and the remote
Loch Harport
Talisker Distillery
BARRA
Castlebay
VATERSAY
BISHOP’S
ISLES
Wonder at the contrasts of Scotland’s isles, from
SKYE
Loch Dunvegan
Dunvegan Castle
CANNA
RUM
Sea of the
Hebrides
EIGG
MUCK
Glenmore Bay
COLL
Ardnamurchan
Distillery
TIREE
MULL
Skerryvore
Craignure
Lighthouse
Duart Castle
OBAN
Museum
Bishop’s Isles.
On Coll we explore on foot or perhaps take one of the
ship’s bicycles ashore before sailing to Tiree
to learn about the construction of the Skerryvore
G
Lighthouse at Hynish.
G
Bishop’s Isles
G
Barpa Langass and Pobull Fhinn
Crossing the Sea of The Hebrides we sail to the Bishop’s
G
Dunvegan Castle
Isles at the very southern tip of the Outer Hebrides for
G
Talisker Distillery
a beach landing, ahead of a relaxing sail to Castlebay
G
Ardnamurchan Distillery
for walks on the most southerly inhabited of the Outer
G
Duart Castle
Isles, Vatersay.
From Lochboisdale we tour South Uist, Benbecula
and North Uist, visiting Barpa Langass and Pobull Fhinn,
including a picnic ashore, before re-joining Hebridean
Tuesday 10th May – Oban – Embarkation.
Princess in Lochmaddy.
Wednesday 11th May – Morning; Coll – Walks ashore.
Sailing south east we head to Dunvegan Castle on Skye,
Thursday 12th May – Morning; Bishop’s Isles – Beach landing.
Afternoon; Castlebay, Barra – Walks on Vatersay.
which has been the home of the Chieftain of Clan
MacLeod for 800 years and boasts wonderful gardens.
Continuing along the south west coast of Skye to Loch
Harport we visit the island’s only legal distillery, Talisker.
We steam to the Small Isle of Canna, given to the
National Trust for Scotland by the great Gaelic scholar
John Lorne Campbell in 1981, before taking strolls on the
delightful Isle of Muck.
Friday 13th May – Morning; Lochboisdale, South Uist – Tour
of the Uists.
Afternoon; Lochmaddy, North Uist – Barpa Langass and
Pobull Fhinn.
Saturday 14th May – Morning; Loch Dunvegan, Skye –
Dunvegan Castle.
Afternoon; Loch Harport, Skye – Talisker Distillery.
Sunday 15th May – Morning; Canna – Walks ashore.
Our final full day allows us to enjoy the Ardnamurchan
Monday 16th May – Morning; Glenmore Bay,
Ardnamurchan Distillery.
Distillery from Glenmore Bay, promoted as Scotland’s
newest, greenest and most westerly mainland distillery.
Our voyage concludes at Duart Castle, home to
Clan Maclean.
43
Oban – Oban
OBAN
Craobh Haven
Arduaine Garden
JURA
Tayvallich
Cushendun
Tuesday 17th to Tuesday 24th May 2016
Relax and enjoy the elegance and comfort of
Hebridean Princess as we sail south on our
exploration or Northern Ireland in the presence of
Ballycastle
Giant’s Causeway
Carrick-a-Rede
Rope Bridge
Belfast
Titanic Exhibition
Strangford Lough
Glenarm
Glemarm Castle
Bangor
Mount Stewart House
Derrymore House
our National Trust speaker, Sarah Staniforth.
Warrenpoint
44
Carlingford
Lough
Main image: Giant’s Causeway, Ballycastle; Images top to bottom: Glenarm Castle, Walled Garden; Titanic Exhibition, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge
Departing from Oban we steam south through the North
Channel, separating Kintyre on the Scottish mainland and the
Antrim coast. Arriving at our first port of call of Glenarm we
visit Glenarm Castle, the 400 year old home of the Earls of
Antrim, with its glorious walled garden.
Sailing south to Bangor, Mount Stewart beckons where we visit
the house and gardens, enjoying lunch ashore, before re-joining
the ship in Strangford Lough.
Venturing to Carlingford Lough, a sea inlet forming part of the
border between Northern Ireland and Eire, we explore the
National Trust property of Derrymore House.
Guest Speaker
Sarah Staniforth
Sarah worked for the National Trust from 19852014, most recently as Museums and Collections
Director. She read chemistry at Oxford University
and studied paintings conservation at the
Courtauld Institute of Art. She is President of the
International Institute for Conservation and her
professional interests include: buildings and
collections conservation and museum and
heritage management.
Turning north we head to Belfast and spend the day exploring
this wonderful city, including a visit to Queens Island, the birth
place of The Titanic.
Following a cruise of the delightful Antrim Coast, a beach
landing will allow us to explore the quaint and Cornish styled
Cushendun village, before cruising to Ballycastle. From here
we will discover the famous Giant’s Causeway and The National
Trust’s Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, built by fisherman over
350 years ago and suspended 100 feet above sea level.
Returning to Scotland we spend time ashore at picturesque
Wednesday 18th May – Morning; Cruise The North Channel.
Afternoon; Glenarm, Antrim – Glenarm Castle.
Thursday 19th May – Morning; Bangor, County Down –
Mount Stewart House.
Afternoon; Strangford Lough – Re-join ship.
Friday 20th May – Morning; Warrenpoint, Carlingford Lough –
Derrymore House.
Afternoon; Cruise east coast of Northern Ireland.
Saturday 21st May – Morning; Belfast – Titanic Exhibition.
Afternoon; Cruise Antrim Coast.
Sunday 22nd May – Morning; Cushendun, Antrim – Beach landing.
Afternoon; Ballycastle – Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge and
Giant’s Causeway.
Tayvallich before ending our journey with a visit, from our
Monday 23rd May – Morning; Tayvallich – Walks ashore.
Afternoon; Craobh Haven – Arduaine Garden.
anchorage at Craobh Haven, to the National Trust for Scotland’s
Arduaine Garden.
45
HANDA
Scottish Wildlife
Trust Reserve
Carloway Broch
Callanish Stones
Stornoway
LEWIS
In t
ere st
Loch Ewe
The
Minch
Dunvegan Castle
Call of the Wild
Tuesday 24th to Tuesday 31st May 2016
TANERA MÒR
(Summer Isles)
SHIANT
ISLES
& Wil
d
re
e
lif
Nat
u
Oban – Oban
Little
Minch
SKYE
Loch
Dunvegan
Seal Colony
Loch Scavaig
Inverewe
Inverewe
Garden
Kyle Rhea
CANNA
RUM
Red Deer Search
Experience the great wilderness of the north-west
coast of Scotland as we visit the seabird colonies
of Handa and the Shiant Isles, make a beach
landing to observe red deer and go in search of
eagles on the Isle of Mull.
Setting sail from Oban we head to our anchorage
at Loch Scavaig from where we wonder at the
awe-inspiring Black Cuillins in the unforgettable
EIGG
Sea of the
Hebrides
So
COLL
un
Tobermory
d
of
MULL
M
ul
Mull Eagle Watch
l
Craignure
OBAN
Duart Castle
Nature & Wildlife
Highlights
G
Inverewe Garden
G
Tanera Mòr
G
Handa – Scottish Wildlife
Trust Reserve
G
Shiant Isles
G
Dunvegan Castle and Seal Colony
On Handa, a Scottish Wildlife Trust reserve, we go
G
Isle of Rum Red Deer
ashore to observe the magnificent seabird cliffs before
G
Mull Eagle Watch
location of Loch Coruisk.
Venturing to Loch Ewe we land directly into the grounds
of Inverewe Garden before heading to Tanera Mòr, the
largest of the Summer Isles.
cruising The Minch to Stornoway, on Lewis, for our tour
of the Callanish Standing Stones and Carloway Broch.
From the comfort of Hebridean Princess admire the
large number of seabirds nesting on the cliffs of the
Shiant Isles, ahead of continuing along the west coast
Wednesday 25th May – Morning; Loch Scavaig, Skye – Walks at
Loch Coruisk.
Afternoon; Cruise the Sound of Sleat.
of Skye to Dunvegan Castle to observe the resident
seal population.
Thursday 26th May – Morning; Loch Ewe – Inverewe Garden.
Afternoon; Tanera Mòr, Summer Isles – Walks ashore.
Steaming further south we visit the largest of the Small
Friday 27th May – Morning; Handa – Seabird Cliffs.
Afternoon; Stornoway, Lewis – Callanish Stones and
Carloway Broch.
Isles, Rum, and after a beach landing we go in search of
the island’s renowned red deer.
During our last morning we head to the Mull Eagle
Watch and join a ranger-led visit to discover the island’s
majestic white-tailed eagles. Prior to our final gala dinner
on board, the imposing Duart Castle beckons, home of
the current Chieftain of the Clan, Sir Lachlan Maclean.
Saturday 28th May – Morning; Shiant Isles – Cruise the
Seabird Cliffs.
Afternoon; Loch Dunvegan, Skye – Dunvegan Castle and
seal colony.
Sunday 29th May – Morning; Cruise south west coast of Skye.
Afternoon; Kilmory Bay, Rum – Beach landing and red deer.
Monday 30th May – Morning; Tobermory, Mull – Mull Eagle Watch.
Tuesday 31st May – Oban – Disembarkation.
46
Main image: Guillemot, Handa; Images left to right: Grey Seal, Skye; White Tailed Eagle, Mull; Red Deer, Rum 47
48 Main image: Northern Gannets, St Kilda; Images left to right: Carloway Broch, Lewis; Pabbay from Berneray; Dunvegan Castle, Skye
Oban – Oban
Carloway Broch
Callanish Stones
Stornoway
LEWIS
SHIANT
ISLES
Beach Landing
HARRIS
ST KILDA
Hirta
Lochmaddy
NORTH
UIST
BENBECULA
St Kilda, Islands on the Edge
Tuesday 31st May to Tuesday 7th June 2016
t
Loch Dunvegan
Dunvegan Castle
SOUTH
UIST
SKYE
ERISKAY
BARRA
This is the first of two visits in 2016 to the mysterious
archipelago of St Kilda, the United Kingdom’s only
BISHOP’S
ISLES
Beach Landing
double UNESCO World Heritage Site, lying
approximately 120 miles off the west coast of mainland
Scotland and where man lived in the harshest of
Sea of the
Hebrides
RUM
MUCK
EIGG
So
un
COLL
d
of
Tobermory
M
Isle of
TIREE
ul
l
Mull Cheese
MULL
OBAN
conditions up until 1930 – a true adventure.
We start our voyage to the furthest reaches of St Kilda
by crossing the Sea of The Hebrides and, weather
permitting, land by beach boats on one of the Bishop’s
G
Bishop’s Isles
Isles at the very southern tip of the Outer Hebrides.
G
Double UNESCO World Heritage Site
of St Kilda
Sailing overnight to St Kilda, we arrive early morning
G
The Uists
to cruise the seabird colonies between the island of
G
Carloway Broch
G
Shiant Isles
G
Dunvegan Castle
G
Isle of Mull Cheese
Boreray and Stac Lee, ahead of anchoring in Village Bay.
Weather permitting we land on the main island of Hirta,
where the 19th century village is preserved just as it was
when abandoned 86 years previously.
Following an afternoon steam to the Outer Isles we land
on Eriskay for a tour of the Uists, enjoying a Hebridean
picnic ashore. Continuing north to Stornoway we explore
Tuesday 31st May – Oban – Embarkation.
Lewis, including the standing stones at Callanish and the
2,000 year old Carloway Broch.
Wednesday 1st June – Morning; Cruise the Sea of the Hebrides.
Afternoon; Bishop’s Isles – Beach landing.
A beach landing on the uninhabited Shiant Isles allows
Thursday 2nd June – Morning; St Kilda – Village Bay, Hirta.
Afternoon; Cruise towards Barra.
us to admire the myriad of breeding seabirds, including
the colourful puffins. Onward to Dunvegan Castle on
Skye, which has been the seat of the Clan MacLeod for
800 years and boasts wonderful gardens.
After stretching our legs on the Isle of Muck we take
a tour of Isle of Mull Cheese, the only dairy farm on
the island.
Friday 3rd June – Morning; Eriskay – Tour the Uists.
Afternoon; Lochmaddy, North Uist – Re-join ship.
Saturday 4th June – Morning; Stornoway, Lewis – Callanish
Stones and Carloway Broch.
Sunday 5th June – Morning; Loch Dunvegan, Skye –
Dunvegan Castle.
Afternoon; Cruise south coast of Skye.
Monday 6th June – Morning; Muck – Walks ashore.
Tuesday 7th June – Oban – Disembarkation.
49
Oban – Oban
SKYE
RDEN
GA
IN
TE R EST
Armadale
Armadale Castle
Gardens
CANNA
RUM
EIGG
Kyle of Lochalsh
Attadale Gardens
MUCK
Scotland in Colour
Tuesday 7th to Tuesday 14th June 2016
COLL
Lip na Cloiche
Garden
Lochaline
Ardtornish Estate
Gardens
MULL
OBAN
Craobh Haven
Arduaine
Garden
The mild climate of north-west Scotland is influenced
by the warm North Atlantic Drift offshore, giving rise
COLONSAY
Colonsay House
Gardens
Ormsary
Ormsary House
Gardens
GIGHA
Achamore
Gardens
to world class gardens. All are unique, not only for
their magnificent collections, but for the wild,
untamed beauty in which they stand.
Not normally open to the public, our first port of call is
Ormsary on Loch Caolisport where we take a privileged
peek at Lady Lithgow’s garden, ahead of sailing to the
small island of Gigha with its famous Achamore Gardens,
designed by Sir James Horlick.
Turning north we sail to Ardmaddy Castle Gardens, a
spectacular setting shielded by mature woodlands to
Ardmaddy Castle
Gardens
JURA
Guest Speaker
Jim Gardiner
Jim is the Chief Curator of the Royal Horticultural
Society’s Gardens and has been based at Wisley
for over twenty years. Before that he was Curator
at the Hillier Gardens and Arboretum. His primary
interest is in woody plants, in particular Magnolias,
on which he has written two books, ‘Magnolias,
their Care and Cultivation’ and ‘Magnolias,
A Gardener’s Guide’.
the north and protected from the Atlantic winds by
the elevated castle. From our anchorage at Craobh
Haven we discover the National Trust for Scotland’s
Arduaine Garden.
Tuesday 7th June – Oban – Embarkation.
On to the Isle of Colonsay and Colonsay House Gardens,
owned by the Strathcona family for over 100 years.
From here we head for the west coast of Mull and the
made garden in an extremely remote location.
Thursday 9th June – Morning; Seil Sound – Ardmaddy
Castle Gardens.
Our berth at Kyle of Lochalsh allows us to venture to
Friday 10th June – Morning; Colonsay – Colonsay House Gardens.
Afternoon; Cruise west coast of Mull.
hidden gem of Lip na Cloiche Garden, a private and self
Attadale Gardens before we discover Armadale Castle
Gardens, where magnificent trees, some almost
200 years old, tower above stunning carpets of orchids
Saturday 11th June – Morning; Loch Tuath, Mull – Lip na
Cloiche Garden.
Afternoon; Cruise the Small Isles.
and wildflowers.
Sunday 12th June – Morning; Kyle of Lochalsh – Attadale Gardens.
Afternoon; Armadale, Skye – Armadale Castle Gardens.
Steaming around the most westerly point of mainland
Monday 13th June – Morning; Cruise round Ardnamurchan.
Afternoon; Lochaline – Ardtornish Estate Gardens.
Britain, Ardnamurchan, Ardtornish Estate Gardens on
the Morvern peninsula await, where we embrace the
contrast between long vistas across sea, loch and open
hill and closer views of wooded glen, river and waterfall.
50
Wednesday 8th June – Morning; Ormsary – Ormsary
House Gardens.
Afternoon; Gigha – Achamore Gardens.
Main image: Lip na Cloiche Garden; Images left to right: Armadale Castle Gardens; Ormsary House Gardens; Attadale Gardens 51
Butt of Lewis
Oban – Oban
Callanish Stones
Stornoway
Walks Ashore
LEWIS
Tarbert
St Clement’s
Church
HARRIS
SHIANT ISLES
Beach Landing
NORTH UIST
Barpa Langass
Pobull Fhinn
Lochmaddy
G
A LK I N
W
CR
U ISE
Footloose in the
Outer Isles
BENBECULA
SOUTH
UIST
Lochboisdale
Little
Minch
SKYE
Tuesday 14th to Tuesday 21st June 2016
The second of our 2016 Footloose itineraries takes
us to the Western Isles with some old favourites
ERISKAY
CANNA
Prince’s Bay
BARRA
RUM
Castlebay
VATERSAY
EIGG
Walks Ashore
Sea of the
BISHOP’S ISLES Hebrides
Beach Landing
COLL
So
and several new walks, combined with ancient
monuments, imposing castles and beach landings.
52
MUCK
Walks Ashore
TIREE
un
do
fM
ull
MULL
OBAN
Main image: Prince’s Bay, Eriskay; Images top to bottom: Callanish Stones, Lewis; St Clement’s Church, Rodel; Puffin, Shiant Isles
Venturing north-west we head to Barra for walks on the
most southerly inhabited of the Outer Isles, Vatersay;
alternatively there is the opportunity to visit the former
Macneil stronghold of Kisimul Castle, guarding Castlebay.
Footloose Walking
Highlights
G
Vatersay – Walks and Strolls Ashore
G
Eriskay and Prince’s Bay – Walks and
Strolls Ashore
The Bishop’s isles are situated at the southerly tip of the
Outer Hebrides where, weather permitting, we explore after
G
Bishop’s Isles – Beach Landing
making a beach landing. Afterwards we stretch our legs on
G
The Uists – Full Day Walking Programme
the Isle of Eriskay, including Prince’s Bay where Bonnie
G
Lewis – Full Day Walking Programme
Prince Charlie first set foot on British soil.
G
Shiant Isles – Beach Landing
G
Muck – Walks and Strolls Ashore
From Lochboisdale we tour Benbecula and the Uists, visiting
Barpa Langass and Pobull Fhinn; for walkers there will be a
full day walking programme. On Lewis a further full day of
walks is planned, or there is the option to visit the famous
Callanish Standing Stones and the Butt of Lewis in the north.
Wednesday 15th June – Morning; Cruise the Sea of the Hebrides.
Sailing into The Minch, our second beach landing will be on
Thursday 16th June – Morning; Bishop’s Isles – Beach landing.
Afternoon; Eriskay – Walks at Prince’s Bay.
the Shiants where we marvel at the mighty cliffs festooned
with seabirds and puffins. Arriving at Tarbert on the Isle of
Harris we tour the island and call at the ancient church of
St Clement’s, built in the 1500s.
Our final day will be spent cruising the west coast of Skye
followed by walks on the Small Isle of Muck, edged by sandy
beaches and scattered with wild flowers, together with an
abundance of wildlife.
Friday 17th June – Morning; Lochboisdale – Full day walk or
Tour the Uists. Afternoon; Lochmaddy, North Uist – Barpa
Langass and Pobull Fhinn.
Saturday 18th June – Morning; Stornoway, Lewis – Full day walk
or Callanish Stones.
Afternoon; Stornoway, Lewis – Butt of Lewis.
Sunday 19th June – Morning; Shiant Isles – Beach landing.
Afternoon; Tarbert, Harris – Walks or St Clement’s Church, Rodel.
Monday 20th June – Morning; Cruise west coast of Skye.
Tuesday 21st June – Oban – Disembarkation.
53
54 Main image: Laxey Wheel; Images left to right: Peel Castle; House of Manannan; Castletown
Oban – Oban
KERRERA
JURA
Loch na Mile
Craighouse
ISLAY
Port Ellen
Laphroaig
Distillery
Manx Heritage
OBAN
Tayvallich
RATHLIN
ISLAND
RSPB Reserve
Tuesday 21st to Tuesday 28th June 2016
Blessed with an extensive coastline, stunning natural landscapes
and unspoilt beaches, the Isle of Man has a unique charm and
Strangford Lough
character. This sea-bound kingdom has a diverse culture and
fascinating heritage which stretches back thousands of years.
Our voyage captures the magic and mystery of three separate
kingdoms, all linked by their Celtic and Gaelic ancestry.
Islay has a reputation for peaty whiskies and from
Bangor
Grey Abbey House
ISLE OF
MAN
Peel
Douglas
House of Manannan
Laxey Wheel
Peel Castle Port St Mary
Castletown
G
G
Grey Abbey House
After cruising the North Channel we arrive at Bangor
G
House of Manannan
from where we visit Grey Abbey House, the Montgomery
G
Peel Castle
family home since 1607.
G
Laxey Wheel
G
RSPB Reserve – Rathlin Island
G
Tayvallich
Laphroaig.
From beautiful Strangford Lough we head for the Isle
of Man for our two day exploration of the island. At the
House of Manannan, the Island’s mythological sea god
welcomes us to his fascinating Kingdom; at Peel Castle
we stroll the extensive grounds and climb to the top of
the Gatehouse Tower to admire the panoramic views.
Tuesday 21st June – Oban – Embarkation.
From the quaint streets of Port St Mary we head to
Wednesday 22nd June – Morning; Port Ellen, Islay –
Afternoon; Cruise the North Channel.
Douglas before taking horse drawn carriages and the
electric train to the famous Laxey Wheel, built in 1854 to
pump water from Glen Mooar, part of the Great Laxey
Mines industrial complex.
As we return north, the rare and untamed beauty of the
RSPB bird reserve of Rathlin Island awaits our arrival, on
Jura we anchor in Loch Na Mile and go ashore at the
Thursday 23rd June – Morning; Bangor, County Down – Grey
Abbey House.
Afternoon; Strangford Lough – Re-join ship.
Friday 24th June – Morning; Peel, Isle of Man – House of
Manannan and Peel Castle.
Afternoon; Port St Mary, Isle of Man – Castletown.
Saturday 25th June – Morning; Douglas, Isle of Man –
Laxey Wheel.
Afternoon; Cruise North.
island’s only settlement, Craighouse.
Sunday 26th June – Morning; Rathlin Island – Bird Reserve.
Afternoon; Loch Na Mile, Jura – Craighouse.
After a cruise of Loch Sween the picturesque village of
Tayvallich beckons, before we commence our return to
Monday 27th June – Morning; Tayvallich – Walks ashore.
Afternoon; Kerrera – Walks ashore.
Oban with an afternoon on the island of Kerrera, keeping
guard over Oban Bay.
55
Black Houses
Callanish Stones
Oban – Oban
LEWIS
Stornoway
Lews Castle
Museum
TANERA MÒR
(Summer Isles)
HARRIS
Ullapool
Corrieshalloch
Gorge
Gairloch
NORTH
Inverewe
UIST
Garden
BENBECULA
Shieldaig
SOUTH
SKYE
UIST
ERISKAY Loch Coruisk
Loch Scavaig
CANNA
BARRA
Castlebay
RUM
Sea of the
Hebrides
EIGG
Kisimul
Castle
So
un
COLL
d
of
M
ul
TIREE
l
OBAN
MULL
t
ORLD
W
H
ER
I TA G
E
ST KILDA
Hirta
The Hebridean Outposts
of St Kilda
Tuesday 28th June to Tuesday 5th July 2016
St Kilda is one of the most atmospheric locations you
can visit without leaving the British Isles. When you add
spectacular gardens, Neolithic standing stones and
historic castles this is surely an experience of a lifetime.
Leaving Oban we sail north to our anchorage at Loch
Scavaig, from where we marvel at the awe-inspiring
scenery of the Black Cuillin. Later we cruise the Inner
G
Sound to explore the conservation village of Shieldaig,
G
Inverewe Garden
before travelling onwards to Sir Osgood Mackenzie’s
G
Corrieshalloch Gorge
Inverewe Garden.
G
Tanera Mòr
G
Black Houses
G
Double UNESCO World Heritage Site
of St Kilda
G
Kisimul Castle
From Ullapool we admire the dramatic box canyon of
Corrieshalloch Gorge and sail to Tanera Mòr, the largest
of the Summer Isles which boasts a unique, private post
office which issues its own stamps, one of which
features Hebridean Princess.
Crossing The Minch to Stornoway we tour the Callanish
Standing Stones and discover past Western Isles life with
a visit to the peat fire burning Black Houses and the
recently opened Lews Castle Museum.
Wednesday 29th June – Morning; Loch Scavaig, Skye – Walks
at Loch Coruisk.
Afternoon; Cruise Inner Sound.
Steaming overnight we sail to St Kilda. Arriving early
Thursday 30th June – Morning; Shieldaig – Walks ashore.
morning we cruise between Stac Lee and Boreray, home
to around 60,000 breading pairs of northern gannets,
before circumnavigating the main island of Hirta to
Village Bay, where the 19th century village lies
abandoned after the remaining 36 inhabitants were
Saturday 2nd July – Morning; Stornoway – Callanish Stones
and Black Houses.
Afternoon; Stornoway – Lews Castle Museum.
evacuated at their own request in 1930.
Sunday 3rd July – Morning; St Kilda – Village Bay, Hirta.
Afternoon; Cruise towards Barra.
An afternoon sail leads us to Barra and Kisimul Castle,
Monday 4th July – Morning; Castlebay, Barra – Kisimul Castle.
Afternoon; Cruise the Sea of the Hebrides.
the only significant surviving medieval castle in the
Western Isles, seat of the Chiefs of Clan Macneil.
Our Hebridean Princess adventure draws to a close
cruising the Sea of the Hebrides to Oban.
56
Friday 1st July – Morning; Ullapool – Corrieshalloch Gorge.
Afternoon; Tanera Mòr, Summer Isles – Island Post Office.
Tuesday 5th July – Oban – Disembarkation.
Main image: Village Bay, Hirta, St Kilda; Images left to right: Inverewe Garden; Kisimul Castle, Barra; Corrieshalloch Gorge 57
58 Main image: Shona heading towards Fingal’s Cave, Staffa; Images left to right: Tobermory; Laphroaig Distillery, Islay; Duart Castle
AL
SIC M
IN
IC
US
CLA
S
Oban – Oban
TER E
Salen
Ancient Sunart
Oakwood
Tobermory
COLL
Lochaline
Ardtornish
Estate
Gardens
ST
Hebridean Symphony
Tuesday 5th to Tuesday 12th July 2016
MULL
STAFFA
Fingal’s Cave
Craignure
Duart
Castle
IONA
Iona Abbey
OBAN
Explore the Inner Hebrides combining wonderful
COLONSAY
Colonsay House
Gardens
Tayvallich
JURA
vistas with live classical music in some of the most
inspiring locations imaginable.
Loch na Mile
Craighouse
ISLAY
Port Ellen
Leaving Oban we stretch our legs at the pretty fishing
village of Tayvallich before venturing to the Isle of Jura
G
G
Concert from Musicians of Cantilena
Festival
single malt whisky and there is the opportunity to visit
G
Colonsay House Gardens
Laphroaig, one of the island’s renowned distilleries,
G
Iona Abbey and Fingal’s Cave
followed by an on-board concert from musicians of the
G
Young Musicians of the Mendelssohn
on Mull Festival
G
G
Duart Castle
and its only settlement of Craighouse.
The neighbouring island of Islay is famous for its peaty
Cantilena Festival.
Sailing the Sound of Islay, the narrow stretch of water
separating the islands of Islay and Jura, we explore
Colonsay House Gardens and the Benedictine abbey
on the holy isle of Iona.
Landing by local boat on the island of Staffa we explore
the magical Fingal’s Cave; formed by a series of basalt
columns it has been the inspiration for poets, painters
and composers including Mendelssohn and Turner. Our
evening is spent being enlightened at a classical music
lecture from Richard Jeffcoat from the Mendelssohn on
Mull Festival, whilst alongside at Tobermory.
Crossing the Sound of Mull, we go ashore at Salen to
stroll in the Ancient Sunart Oakwood and from Lochaline
we visit Ardtornish Estate Gardens on the Morven
Tuesday 5th July – Oban – Embarkation.
Wednesday 6th July – Morning; Tayvallich – Walks ashore.
Afternoon; Loch na Mile, Jura – Craighouse.
Thursday 7th July – Morning; Port Ellen, Islay – Laphroaig Distillery.
Afternoon; Classical concert on board.
Friday 8th July – Morning; Colonsay – Colonsay House Gardens.
Afternoon; Iona – Benedictine Abbey.
Saturday 9th July – Morning; Isle of Staffa – Fingal’s Cave.
Afternoon; Tobermory, Isle of Mull – Classical music lecture
on board.
Sunday 10th July – Morning; Salen – Ancient Sunart Oakwood.
Afternoon; Lochaline – Ardtornish Estate Gardens.
peninsula for a guided tour. During the evening we are
Monday 11th July – Morning; Craignure, Mull – Duart Castle.
Afternoon; Craignure, Mull – Classical concert.
entertained by young musicians of the Mendelssohn on
Tuesday 12th July – Oban – Disembarkation.
Mull Festival at Craignure.
We spend our final morning on Mull at Duart Castle, seat
of the the Clan Maclean, and our cruise concludes with a
further concert by the talented musicians of the
Mendelssohn on Mull Festival.
59
ORKNEY
Stromness
Stromness Museum
Ness Battery
Oban – Invergordon
HOY
Lyness
STROMA
Cape Wrath
VA
NA L
HI
Smoo Cave
Kinlochbervie
Stornoway
Arnish Point Gun
Emplacements
S T O RY
The Minch
Dunrobin
Loch Ewe
Castle
Russian Arctic
Convoy Museum
Tuesday 12th to Thursday 21st July 2016
INVERGORDON
RAASAY
Inverarish
WWI POW Camp
The Grand Fleet, the main Royal Navy fleet during World War II,
was based in Scapa Flow and played its part in the biggest fleet
action of the war, the Battle of Jutland. This wonderful voyage
to Orcadia explores the naval history of Scotland’s far north,
brought to life by guest speaker Rear Admiral John Lippiett.
Coach transfers will be provided from Glasgow Central Railway Station and Glasgow
International Airport to Oban at the start of the cruise, and from Invergordon to Inverness
Airport and Inverness Railway Station at the end of the cruise. Car parking is available at
Invergordon and a complimentary transfer will be provided from Invergordon to Oban on
the day of embarkation for guests wishing to utilise the car parking facility in Invergordon.
60
Helmsdale
From
OBAN
Kirkwall
Scapa
Flow
Italian
Chapel
Churchill
Barriers
Main image: Ness Battery, Stromness; Images top to bottom: Italian Chapel, Orkney; Scapa Flow Visitor Centre and Museum; Arnish Point gun emplacements
The first leg of our voyage takes us northwards through Kyle
Rhea to the Isle of Raasay where we discover the former
World War I prisoner of war camp at Inverarish.
A relaxing cruise of the Inner Sound precedes our visit to
the Russian Arctic Convoy Museum at Loch Ewe, home of
the Arctic Convoys in World War II. Crossing The Minch to
Stornoway we view the World War II coastal battery situated
at Arnish Point.
Guest Speaker
Rear Admiral John Lippiett
John Lippiett had a 36 year career in the Royal
Navy which included command of 3 ships at
different seniorities, a frigate squadron and the
School of Maritime Warfare, culminating in three
appointments at flag rank. He took early retirement
in 2003 and became Chief Executive of the Mary
Rose Trust. The last eleven years have been
engaged in driving forward the conservation of the
ship and her unique artefacts while creating the
new museum from first principals. The museum
opened in 2013 to great international acclaim.
From Kinlochbervie we explore the imposing limestone
Smoo Cave prior to venturing onto Orkney, before taking a
tour of the Stromness Museum and Ness Battery, a crucial
element of the defences of the western entrance to
Tuesday 12th July – Oban – Embarkation.
Scapa Flow.
Wednesday 13th July – Raasay – Inverarish, WWI POW camp.
We marvel at the workmanship of the Italian prisoners of war
and their chapel constructed from two Nissen Huts and the
Churchill Barriers, built to protect the anchorage. At Scapa
Flow we are reminded of the important part this area played
Thursday 14th July – Loch Ewe – Russian Arctic Convoy Museum.
Friday 15th July – Morning; Stornoway, Lewis – Arnish Point
gun emplacements. Afternoon; Cruise The Minch.
Saturday 16th July – Kinlochbervie – Smoo Cave.
Fleet in 1919.
Sunday 17th July – Morning; Stromness, Orkney – Museum
and Ness Battery.
Afternoon; Kirkwall, Orkney – Walks ashore.
Our exploration continues on Hoy with an excursion to the
Monday 18th July – Morning; Kirkwall – Churchill Barriers and
Italian Chapel. Afternoon; Cruise Scapa Flow.
in two world wars, including the scuttling of the German
at Stroma. We conclude by relaxing at sea en route to
Tuesday 19th July – Morning; Lyness, Hoy – Scapa Flow Visitor
Centre and Museum.
Afternoon; Stroma – Walks ashore.
Dunrobin Castle.
Wednesday 20th July – Helmsdale – Dunrobin Castle.
Scapa Flow Visitor Centre and Museum and walks ashore
Thursday 21st July – Invergordon – Disembarkation.
61
62 Main image: Puffin, Fair Isle; Images left to right: Unst, Shetland, Dunrobin Castle; Skara Brae, Orkney
Muckle Flugga
UNST
Baltasound
YELL
Burravoe
Old Haa Museum
WHALSAY
Hanseatic
SHETLAND
Museum
Invergordon – Invergordon
Lerwick
Shetland
Museum
FAIR
ISLE
Bird Observatory
Nordic Outposts
ORKNEY SANDAY
Thursday 21st to Saturday 30th July 2016
Discover the far-flung islands of Orkney and Shetland
as Hebridean Princess sails where the Norse once
ruled. These contrasting archipelagos boast some of
the finest Neolithic sites in Britain and both played
vital roles during the Second World War.
Stromness Kirkwall
Skara Brae
Scapa
Scrabster Flow
Dunnet Head
Wick
Wick Museum
St Magnus
Cathedral
Churchill
Barriers
Italian
Chapel
Helmsdale
Dunrobin
Castle
INVERGORDON
Setting sail from Invergordon, our maiden visit is
Dunrobin Castle, home to the Earls and Dukes of
Sutherland since the 13th century, ahead of cruising
G
Dunrobin Castle
the Pentland Firth to Orkney.
G
Churchill Barriers and St Magnus
Cathedral
We spend the day exploring Kirkwall and visit the
G
Fair Isle
famous Churchill Barriers and St Magnus Cathedral.
G
Old Haa Museum
G
Muckle Flugga
Steaming north, we pause to explore Fair Isle, one of
G
Isle of Sanday
Britain’s most remote islands, an irresistible bird and
G
Skara Brae and Dunnet Head
wild flower haven rimmed by spectacular cliffs.
G
Wick Heritage Centre
On the same latitude as Oslo, we learn more of the
history of Burravoe on Yell, wartime base of the Shetland
Bus resistance operation, at the Old Haa Museum.
On Unst we take a tour of the island to enjoy its scenic
Thursday 21st July – Invergordon – Embarkation.
beauty and view the lighthouse at Muckle Flugga.
Friday 22nd July – Helmsdale – Dunrobin Castle.
Onwards to Whalsay, the ‘Bonnie Isle’, where the history
Saturday 23rd July – Kirkwall, Orkney – Churchill Barriers, Italian
Chapel and St Magnus Cathedral.
of the Hanseatic League is revealed at the Pier House at
Sunday 24th July – Fair Isle – Bird Observatory.
Symbister and on to Lerwick for an excursion to the
Shetland Museum.
Monday 25th July – Morning; Burravoe, Yell – Old Haa Museum.
Afternoon; Baltasound, Unst – Island tour.
South to Orkney, we step onto the unspoilt paradise of
Tuesday 26th July – Morning; Whalsay – Hanseatic Museum.
Afternoon; Lerwick, Shetland – Shetland Museum.
Sanday with its sandy beaches and myriad of wildlife.
Wednesday 27th July – Sanday, Orkney – Walks ashore.
From Stromness we step into ancient history at Skara
Thurday 28th July – Morning; Stromness, Orkney – Skara Brae.
Afternoon; Scrabster – Dunnet Head.
Brae, before travelling to the nature reserve at Dunnet
Head, the most northerly point of mainland Britain.
Friday 29th July – Morning; Wick – Wick Museum.
Afternoon; Cruise east coast.
Saturday 30th July – Invergordon – Disembarkation.
The Wick Heritage Centre and a cruise south of
Scotland’s east coast completes our voyage.
63
UNST
Baltasound
Unst Boat Haven
YELL
Invergordon – Invergordon
SHETLAND
Scalloway
Lerwick
Shetland
Museum
G
A LK I N
W
CR
U ISE
FAIR ISLE
Bird Observatory
Noup Head
Lighthouse
WESTRAY
Saturday 30th July to Monday 8th August 2016
Cruise the remote Orkney and Shetland Isles with
days filled with beautiful guided walks and visits.
Provision is made for those who prefer a less
STRONSAY
Scapa Flow ORKNEY
Visitor Centre
Kirkwall
St Magnus
Old Man
Cathedral
of Hoy Lyness
Scrabster
Churchill Barriers
Dunnet Head
Italian Chapel
Mary Ann’s Cottage
Wick
Wick Museum
active itinerary, with additional tours and trips to
local attractions.
INVERGORDON
Relax at sea as we cruise the north east coast of
Caithness to Wick, where we learn of the history of this
former Viking settlement at the heritage centre, or enjoy
Footloose Walking
Highlights
G
Wick – Strolls and Walks
G
Kirkwall – Full Day Walk Programme
After crossing the Pentland Firth we go ashore at
G
Fair Isle – Half Day Walk Programme
Kirkwall for a full day of walks, or visit the Churchill
G
Shetland – Full Day Walk Programme
Barriers, Italian Chapel and St Magnus Cathedral.
G
Westray – Strolls and Walks
G
Orkney – Full Day Walk Programme
G
Dunnet Head and Mary Ann's Cottage
strolls around the town.
Lying remotely between Orkney and Shetland, Fair
Isle offers magnificent walks or a visit to the bird
observatory. We take in the scenic beauty and mystical
charm of Unst as we stride out to explore on foot or
embark on a tour of the island and Boat Haven.
Saturday 30th July – Invergordon – Embarkation.
Full day walks on the Shetland mainland are the order
Sunday 31st July – Wick – Walks or Wick Museum.
of the day, or the option to visit Scalloway and the
Shetland Museum. We return to Orkney for walks on
Monday 1st August – Morning; Kirkwall, Orkney – Churchill
Barriers and Italian Chapel or full day walk.
Afternoon; St Magnus Cathedral.
wonderful Westray and a visit to Noup Head Lighthouse
Tuesday 2nd August – Fair Isle – Walks or bird observatory.
and bird reserve.
Wednesday 3rd August – Baltasound, Unst – Full day walk or
Island tour and Unst Boat Haven.
The Scapa Flow Visitor Centre and Museum on Hoy
provides a fascinating insight into the role Orkney played
during the two world wars. Walkers can appreciate
the island’s dramatic coastline as they spend the
day trekking.
Scrabster is our final port of call where there is the
Thursday 4th August – Lerwick, Shetland – Full day walk or
Scalloway and Shetland Museum.
Friday 5th August – Westray, Orkney – Walks or Noup Head
Lighthouse.
Saturday 6th August – Morning; Lyness, Hoy – Full day walk
or Island tour.
Afternoon; Scapa Flow Visitor Centre.
opportunity to tour Dunnet Head and Mary Ann Calder's
Sunday 7th August – Scrabster – Walks or Dunnet Head and
Mary Ann’s Cottage.
preserved crofters cottage, built in 1850 and where she
Monday 8th August – Invergordon – Disembarkation.
lived until the age of 89 using peat for cooking over the
open range fire.
64
Main image: Westray, looking across to Noup Head Lighthouse; Images left to right: Puffins, Fair Isle; Old Man of Hoy; Shetland Mainland 65
Invergordon – Oban
SHETLAND
Grutness
Jarlshof
TORICA
IS
IN
WESTRAY
Ring of Brodgar
Stromness ORKNEY
Skara Brae
Kirkwall
Carloway Broch
Maes
Howe
Callanish Stones
L
H
FAIR ISLE
Bird Observatory
TE R EST
Stone Age Scotland
Monday 8th to Tuesday 16th August 2016
LEWIS Stornoway
Barpa Langass
Pobull Fhinn
NORTH UIST
Lochmaddy
INVERGORDON
Steeped in history the far north and west of
Scotland are scattered with Neolithic remains.
CANNA
This voyage will explore some of the area’s most
inspiring archaeological sites and uncover the myriad
secrets of ancient history hidden for millennia.
Coach transfers will be provided from Inverness Airport and Inverness
Railway Station to Invergordon at the start of the cruise, and from Oban to
Glasgow Central Railway Station and Glasgow International Airport at the
end of the cruise. Car parking is available at Oban and a complimentary
transfer will be provided from Oban to Invergordon on the day of
embarkation for guests wishing to utilise the car parking facility in Oban.
66
OBAN
Ardfern
Kilmartin Glen
Main image: Skara Brae, Orkney; Images top to bottom: Westray; Jarlshof, Shetland; Callanish Stones, Lewis
As we depart from Invergordon we look forward to arriving
in Kirkwall for our exploration of the island’s Neolithic
remains; the Chambered tomb of Maes Howe and the iconic
Ring of Brodgar are amazing sites to behold.
On a northerly course we venture to Shetland and our
Guest Speakers
Professor Jane Downes
Professor Jane Downes leads the UHI Institute of
Archaeology, heads up the research committee for
the Orkney World Heritage Area and has directed
excavations at the Ring of Brodgar.
exploration continues with a visit to the prehistoric
Julie Gibson
archaeological site of Jarlshof with its oval-shaped Bronze
Julie Gibson is the Regional Archaeologist for the
Orkney Islands, a part time lecturer with the UHI
Institute of Archaeology and is an expert on Viking
and Medieval archaeology.
Age houses, Iron Age broch and wheelhouses, Viking long
houses, medieval farmstead and 16th century laird’s house.
Fair Isle and its bird observatory welcomes us on our return
south before we embark on a scenic tour of Westray, home
to the Noup Head Lighthouse and bird reserve. Onwards to
Monday 8th August – Invergordon – Embarkation.
Stromness and the Neolithic settlement of Skara Brae, ahead
Tuesday 9th August – Kirkwall, Orkney – Neolithic Orkney.
of rounding Cape Wrath and cruising The Minch to Lewis.
Wednesday 10th August – Morning; Kirkwall, Orkney – Maes
Howe and Ring of Brodgar. Afternoon; Cruise to Shetland.
From Stornoway we head to the famous standing stones at
Callanish as well as Dun Carloway, a preserved 2,000 year
old broch; on North Uist discover the Neolithic, chambered
cairn of Barpa Langass and the stone circle of Pobull Fhinn.
Canna, one of the Small Isles, was given to the National Trust
for Scotland by the great Gaelic scholar John Lorne
Thursday 11th August – Morning; Grutness, Shetland – Jarlshof.
Afternoon; Fair Isle – Bird observatory.
Friday 12th August – Morning; Westray – Island tour.
Afternoon; Stromness – Skara Brae.
Saturday 13th August – Morning; Cruise The Minch.
Afternoon; Stornoway, Lewis – Callanish Stones and
Carloway Broch.
Campbell and plays host to strolls ashore before we end our
Sunday 14th August – Morning; Lochmaddy, North Uist – Barpa
Langass and Pobull Fhinn. Afternoon; Canna – Walks ashore.
venture at fascinating Kilmartin Glen and Kilmartin House
Monday 15th August – Ardfern – Kilmartin Glen.
Museum, brimming with Neolithic monuments and artefacts.
Tuesday 16th August – Oban – Disembarkation.
67
68 Main image: Vatersay; Images left to right: Achamore Gardens, Gigha; Kinloch Castle, Rum; Iona Abbey
Oban – Oban
CANNA
BARRA
Castlebay
VATERSAY
RUM
Sea of the Kinloch
Castle
Hebrides
BISHOP’S
ISLES
Beach Landing
EIGG
MUCK
COLL
Hidden Isles of the Hebrides
Tuesday 16th to Tuesday 23rd August 2016
LUNGA
(Treshnish Isles)
Local Boat
Ashore
Tobermory
ULVA MULL
Sheila’s
Cottage
IONA
Iona Abbey
Loch Tarbert
Beach Landing
The breathtaking beauty of the Scottish islands is beyond
compare and the contrasting geology and customs among
OBAN
JURA
the islands makes each one unique. The Hebrides must be
the most magical and unspoilt of all the islands around the
GIGHA
Achamore
Gardens
coast of Britain and what better way to explore them than
from the comfort of Hebridean Princess.
Cruising south we arrive at the tiny island of Gigha with
its famous Achamore Gardens designed by Sir James
Horlick, ahead of making a beach landing on the Isle of
G
Achamore Gardens
Jura where 200 inhabitants are outnumbered by
G
Bishop’s Isles
5,000 deer.
G
Isles of Coll, Barra and Vatersay
G
Isle of Canna
Before a second beach landing on one of the Bishop’s
G
Kinloch Castle
Isles, the island of Coll, with its sandy beaches, is where
G
Iona Abbey
we stretch our legs and from Castlebay on Barra we
G
Treshnish Isles
venture to the most southerly inhabited of the Western
Isles, Vatersay.
Returning across the Sea of Hebrides we sail to the
Small Isle of Canna, given to the National Trust for
Scotland by the great Gaelic scholar John Lorne
Campbell, ahead of cruising to the neighbouring Isle of
Rum and the eclectic Kinloch Castle, once the summer
Tuesday 16th August – Oban – Embarkation.
Wednesday 17th August – Morning; Gigha – Achamore Gardens.
Afternoon; Loch Tarbert, Jura – Beach landing.
Thursday 18th August – Morning; Coll – Walks ashore.
home of Lancastrian industrialists, the Bullough Family.
Friday 19th August – Morning; Bishop’s Isles – Beach landing.
Afternoon; Castlebay, Barra – Tour of Vatersay.
The Benedictine abbey on Iona plays host to our Sunday
Saturday 20th August – Morning; Canna – Walks ashore.
Afternoon; Loch Scresort, Rum – Kinloch Castle.
morning visit, followed by a maiden call to the Special
Scientific Interest island of Lunga, the largest of the
Treshnish Isles and where we land by local boat.
Sunday 21st August – Morning; Iona – Benedictine Abbey.
Afternoon; Lunga, Treshnish Isles – Land by local boat.
Our final full day sees us explore the Isle of Ulva and
Monday 22nd August – Morning; Ulva – Sheila’s Cottage and
Telford Church.
Afternoon; Tobermory, Mull – Walks ashore.
Sheila’s Cottage, a restored crofting cottage, before
Tuesday 23rd August – Oban – Disembarkation.
sailing to the colourful Georgian capital town of
Tobermory on Mull.
69
Oban – Oban
Carloway Broch
Stornoway
Callanish Stones
LEWIS
Tarbert
St Clement’s
Church
HARRIS
Wonders of the Western Isles
Tuesday 23rd to Tuesday 30th August 2016
Enjoy the magic and splendour of the Hebrides
NORTH UIST
Lochmaddy
Barpa Langass
Pobull Fhinn
BENBECULA
SHIANT
ISLES
SKYE
Loch Dunvegan
Dunvegan Castle
SOUTH UIST
Lochboisdale
ERISKAY
Prince’s Bay
BARRA
Castlebay
Kisimul Castle
Loch Harport
Talisker Distillery
CANNA
Sea of the
Hebrides
RUM
EIGG
MUCK
from the Inner Isles of Tiree and Skye to the
tranquillity of the Outer Isles of Barra and the Uists
TIREE
where ancient history and traditions combine with
some of the most unique scenery in Britain.
At the picturesque and most westerly island of the Inner
Hebrides, Tiree, we learn of the construction of the
MULL
Skerryvore
Lighthouse
Museum
OBAN
Skerryvore Lighthouse, a legacy of 19th century
G
engineering. After cruising the Sea of the Hebrides we
G
Barpa Langass and Pobull Fhinn
arrive at Barra to discover the former Macneil stronghold
G
Carloway Broch
of Kisimul Castle, guarding Castlebay.
G
Shiant Isles
Famous as the place Bonnie Prince Charlie first set foot
G
Tweed Weaving Demonstration
on Scottish soil in 1745, we explore on the Isle of Eriskay,
G
Dunvegan Castle
before touring the Uists and enjoying Barpa Langass and
G
Talisker Distillery
Pobull Fhinn, with a legendary Hebridean picnic ashore.
The famous Callanish Standing Stones and 2,000 year
old Carloway Broch await our arrival on the Isle of Lewis,
Tuesday 23rd August – Oban – Embarkation.
ahead of making a beach landing on the Shiants, a
Wednesday 24th August – Morning; Tiree – Skerryvore
Lighthouse Museum.
collection of privately owned and uninhabited islands in
the Minch that boast dramatic cliffs.
Returning to the Outer Isles our tour of Harris allows us
to witness a traditional tweed weaving demonstration
and the ancient church of St Clement’s, built in the
1500s, before sailing to the largest Hebridean island of
Skye and Dunvegan Castle, ancestral home of the
Chieftain of Clan MacLeod for 800 years.
As our cruise comes to a close we venture to Talisker,
Skye’s only legal distillery, which precedes our final sail
of the Small Isles homeward for Oban.
Thursday 25th August – Morning; Castlebay, Barra – Kisimul Castle.
Afternoon; Eriskay – Walks at Prince’s Bay.
Friday 26th August – Morning; Lochboisdale, South Uist –
Tour the Uists.
Pobull Fhinn.
Saturday 27th August – Morning; Stornoway, Lewis – Callanish
Sunday 28th August – Morning; Tarbert, Harris – Island tour and
St Clement’s Church, Rodel.
Afternoon; Loch Dunvegan, Skye – Dunvegan Castle.
Monday 29th August – Morning; Loch Harport, Skye –
Talisker Distillery.
Tuesday 30th August – Oban – Disembarkation.
70
Main image: Harris from Am Clicham; Images left to right: Tiree; Talisker Whisky, Skye; Kisimul Castle, Barra 71
(Image: Geoff Dixon)
72 Main image: Shieldaig; Images left to right: Inverewe Garden; Plockton; Corrieshalloch Gorge
Smoo Cave
Kinlochbervie
Oban – Oban
Loch a’
Chairn Bhain
Lochinver
Highland Pottery
TANERA MÒR
(Summer Isles)
Ullapool
Corrieshalloch
Inverewe Gorge
Measach Falls
Garden
The
Minch
Gairloch
Scenic Sutherland
Shieldaig
Tuesday 30th August to Tuesday 6th September 2016
Plockton
Kyle Rhea
SKYE
Relax and enjoy the comfort of Hebridean Princess
CANNA
Inverie
RUM
as we cruise north to Ullapool, visiting inner isles
and remote mainland villages through some of the
EIGG
most scenic lochs of the west coast.
So
un
d
of
MULL
M
ul
l
OBAN
Cruising Kyle Rhea our first visit is to the conservation
village of Shieldaig nestled on the shores of the loch of
the same name. Onwards to the lush oasis of Inverewe
G
Garden, perched on a peninsula at the edge of Loch
G
Inverewe Garden
Ewe, before experiencing the hand made manufacture
G
Highland Pottery
of ceramics at the Highland Pottery, Lochinver.
G
Smoo Cave, Durness
G
Tanera Mòr
G
Corrieshalloch Gorge and
Measach Falls
G
Conservation Village of Plockton
We explore the remote Sutherland coast at Loch
a’Chairn Bhain, once the site of a World War II midget
submarine training base, and from Kinlochbervie we
travel to Smoo Cave at Durness, the largest and most
dramatic coastline cave in Britain.
On Tanera Mòr, the largest of the Summer Isles, we
Tuesday 30th August – Oban – Embarkation.
discover the private post office that isues its own
Wednesday 31st August – Morning; Cruise Kyle Rhea.
stamps, before exploring the sheer-sided spectacle of
Corrieshalloch Gorge were the River Droma flows over
a series of waterfalls, the largest of which is the
46m Measach Falls.
After a cruise of the Inner Sound, we call at the
conservation village of Plockton on the banks of Loch
Carron and as our cruise draws to an end, we travel to
Inverie on the Knoydart peninsula, only accessible by
sea or on foot, ahead of a final cruise of the Small Isles.
Thursday 1st September – Morning; Gairloch – Inverewe Garden.
Afternoon; Lochinver – Highland Pottery.
Friday 2nd September – Morning; Loch a’ Chairn Bhain –
Walks ashore.
Afternoon; Kinlochbervie – Smoo Cave.
Saturday 3rd September – Morning; Tanera Mòr – Island
Post Office.
Afternoon; Ullapool – Corrieshalloch Gorge and Measach Falls.
Sunday 4th September – Morning; Cruise the Inner Sound.
Afternoon; Plockton – Walks ashore.
Monday 5th September – Morning; Inverie – Walks ashore.
Tuesday 6th September – Oban – Disembarkation.
73
Oban – Oban
MULL
OBAN
Ardmaddy
Castle Gardens
Craobh Haven
Arduaine Garden
COLONSAY
Colonsay
House Gardens
Argyll’s Atlantic Islands
JURA
Tuesday 6th to Saturday 10th September 2016
Loch na
Mile
Craighouse
ISLAY
Port Ellen
GIGHA
Achamore
Gardens
Enjoy a short 4 night cruise on board Hebridean
Princess exploring the islands and remote areas
south of Oban, with isolated villages, distilleries
and wonderful gardens.
Sailing from Oban our first visit is to Ardmaddy Castle
Gardens, located in a most spectacular setting, shielded
to the north by mature woodlands and protected from
l Ardmaddy
the Atlantic winds by the elevated castle, before sailing
l Colonsay
onwards to the island of Colonsay and Colonsay House
l Laphroaig
Distillery
Gardens, owned by the Strathcona family for over
l Achamore
Gardens
100 years.
l Craighouse
l Arduaine
Castle Gardens
House Gardens
Garden
Continuing south the whisky isle of Islay beckons and
from Port Ellen we tour one of the most famous
distilleries, Laphroaig, renowned for its peaty single malts.
Cruising to the neighbouring and tiny island of Gigha
Tuesday 6th September – Oban – Embarkation.
we look forward to Achamore Gardens; set in mature
Wednesday 7th September – Morning; Seil Sound – Ardmaddy
Castle Gardens.
Afternoon; Colonsay – Colonsay House Gardens.
and varied woodland, this 54 acre paradise hosts an
impressive collection of plants and shrubs with
breathtaking views across to the islands of Islay and Jura.
Thursday 8th September – Morning; Port Ellen, Islay –
A north westerly sail takes us to Jura where we have the
Friday 9th September – Morning; Loch na Mile, Jura – Craighouse.
opportunity to visit Craighouse, the only settlement on
the island, before arriving at the delightful marina of
Craobh Haven for an exploration of Arduaine Garden, a
tranquil green oasis on the south slope of the Arduaine
peninsula, south of Oban.
74
Saturday 10th September – Oban – Disembarkation.
Main image: Colonsay House Gardens; Images left to right: Achamore Gardens; Laphroaig Distillery, Islay; Craighouse, Jura 75
76 Main image: Eigg; Images left to right: Loch Carron; Armadale Castle, Skye; Shieldaig
Oban – Oban
Inverewe
Garden
Gairloch
RAASAY
Highlights of the
Inner Hebrides
Little
Minch
Plockton
SKYE
Armadale
Clan Donald Centre
Saturday 10th to Thursday 15th September 2016
Spend 5 nights on board the revered Hebridean Princess
Shieldaig
Conservation
Village
RUM
Kinloch
Castle
EIGG
Community
Isle
MUCK
COLL
and experience the Small Isles of Rum and Eigg
MULL
combined with isolated mainland destinations on this
OBAN
delightful late summer cruise.
Cruising the Sound of Mull from Oban we venture to
the Small Isle of Rum where, from Loch Scresort, we
explore the imposing red sandstone built Kinloch Castle.
l Kinloch
Once the summer home of Lancastrian industrialists,
l Clan
Castle
the Bullough Family, both the island and the castle
l Conservation
were gifted to the forerunner of todays Scottish Natural
l Isle
Heritage, who continue to maintain the island and
l Inverewe
its wildlife.
l Conservation
Donald Centre
Village of Plockton
of Raasay
Garden
l Commuinty
Village of Shieldaig
Isle of Eigg
From Rum we sail the short distance to Armadale on the
Isle of Skye and explore the Clan Donald Centre, set in a
20,000-acre highland estate on the Sleat peninsula.
Once part of the traditional lands of Clan Donald, the
Saturday 10th September – Oban – Embarkation.
Estate was purchased by the Clan Donald Lands Trust
Sunday 11th September – Morning; Loch Scresort, Rum –
Kinloch Castle.
Afternoon; Armadale, Skye – Clan Donald Centre.
in 1971.
Sailing through Kyle Rhea we arrive at the conservation
village of Plockton, located on the shores of Loch
Carron, before sailing to the small island of Raasay, most
famous as the birth place of the poet Sorley MacLean.
Monday 12th September – Morning; Plockton – Walks ashore.
Afternoon; Raasay – Walks ashore.
Tuesday 13th September – Morning; Gairloch – Inverewe Garden.
Continuing north we arrive at Gairloch on the mainland
Wednesday 14th September – Morning; Cruise the Narrows and
Sound of Sleat.
Afternoon; Eigg – Walks ashore.
from where we explore Inverewe Garden, planted by
Thursday 15th September – Oban – Disembarkation.
Osgood Mackenzie in 1862 and recognised as one of the
world’s great gardens.
Onwards to the conservation village of Shieldaig ahead
of our last day cruising the Narrows and Sound of Sleat,
with our last stretch of legs on the community owned
Isle of Eigg, dominated by the mile long pitchstone ridge
of An Sgùrr.
77
Oban – Oban
HARRIS
NORTH UIST
Lochmaddy
Barpa Langass
Pobull Fhinn
BENBECULA
Taste of the Outer Isles
Thursday 15th to Tuesday 20th September 2016
SOUTH
UIST
ERISKAY
Prince’s Bay
BARRA
Crossing the sea of the Hebrides Kisimul Castle comes
into view, guarding the approach to Castlebay on Barra
Castlebay
Kisimul Castle
CANNA
Sea of the
Hebrides
RUM
EIGG
MUCK
in the Outer Hebrides. Walk where Princes once stood
and experience the grandeur of Dunvegan Castle – all of
SKYE
Loch Dunvegan
Dunvegan Castle
COLL
TIREE
this combines to provide an unforgettable cruise.
MULL
OBAN
After crossing the Sea of the Hebrides to Barra we
explore the former stronghold of the Chiefs of Clan
Macneil the medieval Kisimul Castle, now owned by
l Kisimul
Historic Scotland, ahead of sailing north to Eriskay and
l Eriskay
Prince’s Bay. Here, in 1745, Bonnie Prince Charlie first set
foot on Scottish soil to raise an army to reclaim the
Scottish and English crowns for his father.
Castle
and Prince’s Bay
l Barpa Langass and Pobull Fhinn
l Dunvegan Castle
l Isle of Canna
l Isle of Muck
The spectacular chambered cairn of Barpa Langass and
Pobull Fhinn, the only stone circle on North Uist, are
wonderous sites for us to experience on our tour of the
Uists, before sailing to Loch Dunvegan on the west coast
of Skye and heading to Dunvegan Castle, the ancestral
home of the Chieftan of Clan MacLeod for 800 years.
As our cruise nears its end we explore on the Small Isle
of Canna, given to the National Trust for Scotland by the
great Gaelic scholar John Lorne Campbell, before
landing at another of the Small Isles, Muck, with its
welcoming tea shop.
Thursday 15th September – Oban – Embarkation.
Friday 16th September – Morning; Cruise the Sea of
the Hebrides.
Afternoon; Castlebay, Barra – Kisimul Castle.
Saturday 17th September – Morning; Eriskay – Walks at
Prince’s Bay.
Afternoon; Cruise the Outer Hebrides.
Sunday 18th September – Morning; Lochmaddy, North Uist –
Barpa Langass and Pobull Fhinn.
Afternoon; Loch Dunvegan, Skye – Dunvegan Castle.
Monday 19th September – Morning; Canna - Walks ashore.
78
Main image: Castlebay, Barra; Images left to right: Barpa Langass, North Uist; Dunvegan Castle, Skye; Eriskay ponies 79
80 Main image: Callanish Stones, Lewis; Images left to right: Attadale Gardens; Carloway Broch, Lewis; Lews Castle
Oban – Oban
Carloway Broch
LEWIS
Callanish Stones
Stornoway
The
Lews Castle
Minch
Museum
Tarbert
St Clement’s Church
SHIANT
HARRIS
ISLES
Inverewe
Garden
Gairloch
SKYE
Tuesday 20th to Tuesday 27th September 2016
RAASAY
Armadale
Clan Donald Centre
CANNA
Shieldaig
Plockton
Attadale
Gardens
Kyle Rhea
RUM
This cruise also departs on 3rd May 2016
EIGG
Join Hebridean Princess as she explores the Inner and
COLL
Outer Hebrides, including the Small Isle of Eigg and
So
un
do
larger neighbour of Skye, along with the Outer Isles
fM
ull
MULL
of Harris and Lewis and the uninhabited Shiants.
Departing from Oban and venturing round
Ardnamurchan, we spend the morning cruising north
OBAN
through Kyle Rhea and under the Skye Bridge to the
l Tweed
Weaving Demonstration
island of Raasay for an afternoon of strolls.
l Shiant
Isles
l Callanish
Arriving at Tarbert on the Isle of Harris we enjoy an
Standing Stones and
Carloway Broch
island tour including a tweed weaving demonstration
l Lews
and a call at the ancient church of St Clement’s, built in
l Inverewe
Castle Museum
the 1500s.
l Conservation
l Attadale
Garden
Gardens
Located on the edge of the Outer Hebrides are the
uninhabited Shiant Isles, the renowned wildlife haven,
where we intend to land by beach landing craft.
Returning to the Outer Isles, we journey to the famous
standing stones at Callanish on Lewis, the 2,000 year old
Carloway Broch and the more recently constructed Lews
Castle Museum.
Cruising The Minch to Gairloch on the mainland we
appreciate the delights of Inverewe Garden, a vision of
Osgood Mackenzie and set on a barren bluff.
Continuing to the conservation village of Shieldaig we
stretch our legs ashore, before sailing to Loch Carron
where we visit Attadale Gardens with its impressive
collection of sculpture.
Wednesday 21st September – Morning; Cruise Kyle Rhea and
The Narrows. Afternoon; Raasay – Walks ashore.
Thursday 22nd September – Morning; Tarbert, Harris – Island
tour including St Clement’s Church, Rodel.
Friday 23rd September – Morning; Stornoway, Lewis – Callanish
Afternoon; Stornoway, Lewis – Lews Castle Museum.
Saturday 24th September – Morning; Cruise The Minch.
Sunday 25th September – Morning; Shieldaig – Walks ashore.
Afternoon; Plockton – Attadale Gardens.
Monday 26th September – Morning; Armadale, Skye – Clan
Donald Centre. Afternoon; Eigg – Walks ashore.
Onwards to Armadale and the Clan Donald Centre,
which depicts the history of this once powerful Clan and
then our final port of call is the Small Isle of Eigg, now
owned by its community following a buyout in 1997.
81
Oban – Oban
HARRIS
NORTH UIST
Lochmaddy
Barpa Langass
Pobull Fhinn
BENBECULA
SKYE
Loch Dunvegan
Dunvegan Castle
SOUTH UIST
Tuesday 27th September to
Tuesday 4th October 2016
This cruise also departs on 10th May 2016
Wonder at the contrasts of Scotland’s isles, from the inner
Hebridean island of Canna, owned by the National Trust
for Scotland, to the Outer Isles of Barra, Vatersay, The
Loch Harport
Talisker Distillery
Lochboisdale
BARRA
Castlebay
VATERSAY
CANNA
RUM
EIGG
Sea of the
Hebrides
MUCK
Glenmore Bay
COLL
Ardnamurchan
Distillery
TIREE
MULL
Skerryvore
Craignure
Lighthouse
Duart Castle
OBAN
Museum
BISHOP’S
ISLES
Uists and the remote Bishop’s Isles.
Our first port of call is the Isle of Coll where we explore
on foot before sailing to Tiree to learn about the
construction of the Skerryvore Lighthouse at Hynish.
l Skerryvore
l Bishop’s
Lighthouse Museum
Isles
Crossing the Sea of The Hebrides we sail to the Bishop’s
l Barpa
Isles at the very southern tip of the Outer Hebrides for a
l Dunvegan
beach landing, ahead of a relaxing sail to Castlebay for
l Talisker
walks on the most southerly inhabited of the Outer Isles,
l Ardnamurchan
Vatersay.
l Duart
Langass and Pobull Fhinn
Castle
Distillery
Distillery
Castle
From Lochboisdale we tour South Uist, Benbecula
and North Uist, visiting Barpa Langass and Pobull
Fhinn, including a picnic ashore, before re-joining
Hebridean Princess in Lochmaddy.
Sailing south east we head to Dunvegan Castle on Skye,
Wednesday 28th September – Morning; Coll – Walks ashore.
which has been the home of the Chieftain of Clan
MacLeod for 800 years and boasts wonderful gardens.
Continuing along the south west coast of Skye to Loch
Harport we visit the island’s only legal distillery, Talisker.
We steam to the Small Isle of Canna, given to the
National Trust for Scotland by the great Gaelic scholar
John Lorne Campbell in 1981, before taking strolls on the
Thursday 29th September – Morning; Bishop’s Isles –
Beach landing.
Friday 30th September – Morning; Lochboisdale, South Uist –
Tour of the Uists.
Pobull Fhinn.
Saturday 1st October – Morning; Loch Dunvegan, Skye –
Dunvegan Castle.
Afternoon; Loch Harport, Skye – Talisker Distillery.
delightful Isle of Muck.
Sunday 2nd October – Morning; Canna – Walks ashore.
Our final full day allows us to enjoy the Ardnamurchan
Monday 3rd October – Morning; Glenmore Bay –
Ardnamurchan Distillery.
Distillery from Glenmore Bay, promoted as Scotland’s
newest, greenest and most westerly mainland distillery.
Our voyage concludes at Duart Castle, home to
Clan Maclean.
82
Tuesday 4th October – Oban – Disembarkation.
Main image: Pobull Fhinn, North Uist; Images left to right: Vatersay; Talisker Distillery, Skye; Duart Castle, Mull 83
Oban – Oban
Dunvegan
Dunvegan
Castle
& DR
I
OD
I
NT
CANNA
ERES
SKYE
Armadale
Kinloch
Lodge
MUCK
COLL
Tuesday 4th to Tuesday 11th October 2016
This cruise also departs on 5th April 2016
Scotland is rightly proud of its reputation for its
wonderful natural larder and those who produce
the Highlands and Islands.
84
Tobermory
Isle of Mull Cheese
MULL
STAFFA
Craignure
IONA Duart Castle
Iona Abbey
COLONSAY
Colonsay Oysters
and Honey
mouth-watering creations. Join Hebridean Princess
as we explore the wonderful culinary offerings of
Kyle of Lochalsh
RUM
EIGG
T
NK
FO
Three Chimneys
Restaurant
ISLAY
Port Ellen
Laphroaig
Distillery
JURA
ERISKA
Isle of
Eriska Hotel
OBAN
Main image: Dunvegan Castle; Images top to bottom: Isle of Mull Cheese; Laphroaig Distillery, Islay; Three Chimneys Restaurant, Skye
Islay has a reputation for big peaty whiskies and from
Food & Drink Highlights
Laphroaig. On Colonsay meet the man who supplies
l Laphroaig
Hebridean Princess with oysters, but also learn about his
l Colonsay
other passion – honey and the black tailed bees he keeps.
l Lunch
Columba’s Iona is our next port of call and as we sail towards
l Lunch
Skye for our overnight anchorage, we cruise past the island
l Isle
of Staffa with its famous Fingal’s Cave.
l Lunch
Distillery
Oysters and Honey Farm
and Cookery Demonstration –
Kinloch Lodge
– Three Chimneys Restaurant
of Mull Cheese
l Duart
– Isle of Eriska Hotel
Castle – Champagne Reception
From Armadale a cookery demonstration and lunch at the
Michelin starred Kinloch Lodge beckons, before a sail to Kyle
of Lochalsh. A morning cruise takes us to Loch Dunvegan,
where we visit Dunvegan Castle and enjoy lunch at the world
Tuesday 4th October – Oban – Embarkation.
renowned Three Chimneys Restaurant.
Wednesday 5th October – Morning; Port Ellen, Islay –
Afternoon; Colonsay – Oysters and Honey.
As we delight in the Small Isles we head south to Mull and
our next port of call, the island capital of Tobermory. Here
we visit Isle of Mull Cheese, a small, family farm, to learn how
the local cheeses are made by hand.
Our final morning is spent at the Isle of Eriska Hotel, situated
on its own private island, where we enjoy lunch in the
Michelin starred restaurant. We conclude our culinary
adventure by returning to Mull for a Champagne reception
at Duart Castle, hosted by Sir Lachlan Maclean, Chieftain of
Clan Maclean.
Thursday 6th October – Morning; Iona – Benedictine Abbey.
Afternoon; Cruise past Fingal’s Cave, Staffa to Skye.
Friday 7th October – Morning; Armadale, Skye – Cookery
Demonstration and lunch at Kinloch Lodge.
Afternoon; Kyle of Lochalsh – Walks ashore.
Saturday 8th October – Morning; Cruise east coast of Skye.
Afternoon; Dunvegan, Skye – Lunch at Three Chimneys and
Dunvegan Castle.
Sunday 9th October – Morning; Cruise the Small Isles.
Monday 10th October – Morning; Isle of Eriska – Lunch at Isle
of Eriska Hotel.
Afternoon; Craignure, Mull – Duart Castle Champagne reception.
85
86 Main image: Old Man of Storr, Skye; Images left to right: Walkers at Shieldaig; Eigg; Eilean Donan Castle
Oban – Oban
Trotternish
peninsula
Gairloch
Highland Heritage
RAASAY
highland title nature reserve, a wealth of historic
castles and a heritage centre; all of which bring to
RUM
EIGG
MUCK
Glenmore Bay
Nadurra Centre
Tobermory
life the deep highland heritage of this region.
As we sail north from Oban we venture to Ballachullish
and the Highland Titles Nature Reserve to become a
Kyle of Lochalsh
Eilean Donan
Castle
Armadale
Clan Donald Centre
t.
Become a Laird, Lord or Lady as we explore a
Shieldaig
SKYE
Portree
Ballachulish
Highland Titles
Nature Reserve
MULL
Craignure
Duart Castle
OBAN
titled Laird, Lord or Lady of Glencoe on allocation of our
l Highland
very own plot of land on the Keil Hill Estate.
l Isle
Titles Nature Reserve
of Raasay
l Trotternish
Peninsula
After taking a cruise of the Sound of Mull and the
l Conservation
delightful Small Isles, the island of Raasay awaits before
l Eilean
we embark on a tour of the spectacular Trotternish
l Nadurra
peninsula on the Isle of Skye.
l Duart
Donan Castle
Centre
Castle – Champagne Reception
Returning to the mainland we stretch our legs at popular
Gairloch and then onwards to the conservation village of
Shieldaig, founded in 1800.
Sailing south we berth at Kyle of Lochalsh from where
we are lured to one of Scotland’s most photographed
castles, Eilean Donan, formerly a stronghold of Clan
MacKenzie, ahead of venturing to Armadale with its
ruined castle and the Clan Donald Centre.
Preceding a call to the award winning Nadurra Centre,
where we are introduced to the breath-taking variety
of flora and fauna found in this beautiful corner of
Scotland, we enjoy walks ashore on the community
owned island of Eigg.
Our final full day is spent on the island of Mull with a
visit to the colourful Georgian town of Tobermory,
Wednesday 12th October – Morning; Ballachulish – Highland Titles
Nature Reserve.
Afternoon; Cruise Sound of Mull and Small Isles.
Thursday 13th October – Morning; Raasay - Walks ashore.
Afternoon; Portree, Skye – Tour Trotternish peninsula.
Friday 14th October – Morning; Gairloch – Walks ashore.
Saturday 15th October – Morning; Kyle of Lochalsh – Eilean
Donan Castle.
Afternoon; Armadale, Skye – Armadale Castle and Clan
Donald Centre.
Sunday 16th October – Morning; Eigg – Walks ashore.
Afternoon; Glenmore Bay – Nadurra Centre.
Monday 17th October – Morning; Tobermory, Mull – Walks ashore.
Afternoon; Craignure, Mull – Duart Castle Champagne reception.
culminating with a Champagne reception at the
imposing Duart Castle, hosted by the current Chieftan
of Clan Maclean, Sir Lachlan.
87
LEWIS
HARRIS SHIANT ISLES
NORTH UIST
North
Minch
Inner
Sound
SKYE
SOUTH UIST Little
Minch
of
d
So
un
CANNA
BARRA
PABBAY Sea of the RUM
MINGULAY
BERNERAY Hebrides MUCK
So
un
do
COLL
f
Sl
ea
t
BENBECULA
TIREE
MULL
Mu
ll
OBAN
JURA
ISLAY
.
Oban – Oban
Autumn Surprise
Join Hebridean Princess on this autumn cruise as
Captain Trevor Bailey decides the itinerary on a daily
basis, taking you to some of his favourite destinations.
Although the itinerary is unknown, you will be assured
of excellent service, exquisite cuisine and the
understated elegance of Hebridean Princess.
Please note that it is planned for Captain Bailey to be Master on this
cruise, however this may be changed without notice.
88
89
MULL
Oban – Greenock
OBAN
Ardfern
Kilmartin Glen
and Museum
JURA
Call of the Clyde
Tuesday 25th October to
Tuesday 1st November 2016
ISLAY
Port Ellen
Ardbeg
Distillery
As we leave our home port of Oban for the last time this season we
head south and experience the contrasts between the Hebridean
islands of Jura and Gigha and the Clyde islands of Arran and Bute.
Coach transfers will be provided from Glasgow Central Railway Station and Glasgow International
Airport to Oban at the start of the cruise, and from Greenock to Glasgow International Airport
and Glasgow Central Railway Station at the end of the cruise. Secure car parking is available at
Greenock and a complimentary transfer will be provided from Greenock to Oban on the day of
embarkation for guests wishing to utilise the car parking facility in Greenock.
90
Holy Loch
Historic Kilmun and
Argyll Mausoleum
Tayvallich
GREENOCK
Largs
Ardgowan
House
BUTE
GIGHA
Achamore
GREAT CUMBRAE
Gardens
Cathedral of
ARRAN
the Isles
Brodick
Campbeltown
Glenbarr Abbey
HOLY ISLE
Mull of
Kintyre
SANDA ISLAND
Main image: Tayvallich; Images top to bottom: Kilmartin Glen; Ardgowan House; Ardbeg Distillery
Leaving Oban, Hebridean Princess heads south to Ardfern
from where we visit Kilmartin Glen and Museum, festooned
with Neolithic monuments and artefacts.
Cruising Loch Sween we take time ashore at picturesque
Tayvallich, before continuing to Port Ellen on Islay for a tour
of the Ardbeg Distillery and then onwards to the small island
of Gigha, with its famous Achamore Gardens, designed by
Sir James Horlick.
Guest Speaker
Miranda Krestovnikoff
Miranda is one of the UK's best-known TV and
radio presenters. Recognised for her award
winning factual programmes, as a biologist,
trained diver and environmentalist, she has
explored Great Britain's shoreline from top to
toe, revealing fascinating tales of marine life. In
between presenting, Miranda regularly writes
articles on tourism and leisure for national
newspapers and magazines and is currently
President of the RSPB and Patron on the Whale
and Dolphin Conservation.
A cruise of the Mull of Kintyre takes us to Campbeltown
where we visit the Clan MacAlister Centre at Glenbarr Abbey,
before landing on the privately owned Sanda Island, a site of
Special Scientific Interest.
Holy Isle offers a spiritual heritage dating to the 6th century
and is a delightful place to walk ashore before venturing to its
larger neighbour, Arran, for a guided tour of the island.
From Largs we visit Ardgowan House, set in 400 acres this
Georgian property was designed by former assistant to
Robert Adam, Hugh Cairncross and built between 1798 and
Wednesday 26th October – Morning; Ardfern – Kilmartin Glen
and Museum.
Afternoon; Tayvallich, Loch Sween – Walks ashore.
Thursday 27th October – Morning; Port Ellen, Islay –
Ardbeg Distillery.
Friday 28th October – Morning; Cruise the Mull of Kintyre.
Afternoon; Campbeltown – Glenbarr Abbey.
1801. It is now home to the Shaw Stewart family.
Saturday 29th October – Morning; Sanda – Walks ashore.
Afternoon; Holy Isle – Walks ashore.
On Great Cumbrae, Britain’s smallest cathedral awaits and
Sunday 30th October – Morning; Brodick, Arran – Island tour.
Afternoon; Largs – Ardgowan House.
then our final visit is the Historic Kilmun and Argyll
Monday 31st October – Morning; Great Cumbrae – Cathedral of
Mausoleum. Built in 1790, the Argyll Mausoluem was
the Isles.
Afternoon; Holy Loch – Historic Kilmun and Argyll Mausoleum.
constructed to house the remains of the Dukes and Earls of
Argyll, Chiefs of the Clan Campbell and their families.
Tuesday 1st November – Greenock – Disembarkation.
91
92 Main image: Inveraray Castle; Images left to right: Finlaystone House; Kelburn Castle; Dumfries House
Inveraray Castle
Crarae
e
GREENOCK
T
I
N
Rhu
Hill House
c
Lo
TECHTU
HI
L
RA
ARC
h
n
Fy
Strachur
Strachur House
Ardkinglas House
TERES
Finlaystone
House
of the Clyde
I N V E R C LY D E
BUTE
Largs
Ardgowan House
Kelburn Castle
Tuesday 1st to Tuesday 8th November 2016
ARRAN
Firth of
Clyde
Troon
Dumfries House
Dundonald Castle
This ever popular cruise takes in some of the architectural
gems of the Clyde. The areas long and often turbulent
past brings together a rich tapestry of medieval castles
Campbeltown
Glenbarr Abbey
and grand mansions and Hebridean guests have a rare
private viewing of many, often by a member of the family.
From our berth in Greenock we visit Finlaystone House,
Guest Speaker
David Winpenny
home to the MacMillan family. High on a hill in
Helensburgh sits what is universally regarded as Charles
David worked for the Countryside Commission
before setting up his own PR company. He has
always been interested in the quirkier side of
architecture; he researched and wrote 'Up to a
Point - In search of pyramids in Britain and
Ireland'. An accredited NADFAS lecturer, David
speaks on a wide range of architectural
subjects, writes for the AA and is a regular
contributor to BBC Countryfile Magazine. He
was a Mastermind finalist in 1999.
Rennie Mackintosh’s finest domestic creation, Hill House,
now owned by the National Trust for Scotland.
After cruising Loch Fyne we enjoy Hebridean’s first ever
visit to Sir Charles and Lady McLean’s home, Strachur
House, with its sheltered flower garden.
The fairy tale Inveraray Castle, home to the Duke of
Argyll, opens the private apartments for our visit,
before we head to the Sir Robert Lorimer designed
Ardkinglas House.
Tuesday 1st November – Greenock – Embarkation.
A warm welcome is assured at Glenbarr Abbey, home to
the Clan MacAlister Centre, before we continue our
voyage to Dumfries House; designed by Robert Adam
and little changed by time, the house still boasts much
of the original furnishings.
Dundonald Castle is now a ruin, but was once a royal
residence, built for Robert II when he became King in
1371. From Largs we visit Georgian Ardgowan House; set
in 400 acres and built between 1798 and 1801. Our final
visit is to Kelburn Castle, home to Patrick Boyle, 10th Earl
of Glasgow, originally built in the 13th century and
extended in the 16th century, but now featuring rather
Wednesday 2nd November – Morning; Greenock – Finlaystone
House.
Afternoon; Rhu – Hill House.
Thursday 3rd November – Morning; Cruise Loch Fyne.
Afternoon; Strachur – Strachur House.
Friday 4th November – Morning; Crarae – Inveraray Castle
Private Apartments.
Afternoon; Strachur – Ardkinglas House.
Saturday 5th November – Morning; Cruise Kilbranan Sound.
Afternoon; Campbeltown – Glenbarr Abbey.
Sunday 6th November – Morning; Troon – Dumfries House.
Afternoon; Troon – Dundonald Castle.
Monday 7th November – Morning; Largs – Ardgowan House.
Largs – Kelburn Castle.
Tuesday 8th November – Greenock – Disembarkation.
unusual graffiti.
93
GREENOCK
I N V E R C LY D E
BUTE
Rothesay
Rothesay Castle
GREAT CUMBRAE
Cathedral of
the Isles
Tuesday 8th to Saturday 12th November 2016
ARRAN
Brodick
Island Tour
HOLY ISLE
Firth of
Clyde
This cruise also departs on 7th March 2016
The elegance of Hebridean Princess allows us to sample
the beauty of the Clyde islands in comfort with this
wonderful four night itinerary that takes us to Britain’s
SANDA ISLAND
Site of Special
Scientific Interest
AILSA CRAIG
smallest cathedral and a privately owned island,
designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
Steaming from Greenock we sail towards Britain’s
smallest cathedral on the delightful island of Great
Cumbrae. The cathedral was commissioned by the
l Cathedral
6th Earl of Glasgow, George Boyle, designed by William
l Sanda
Butterfield and completed in 1848. Arran is the largest of
the Clyde islands and plays host to our next port of call
where we enjoy a tour of this once popular island retreat.
of the Isles
Island – Site of Special Scientific
Interest
l Ailsa
Craig
l Holy
Isle
l Rothesay
Castle
Onwards to the privately owned Sanda Island,
designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest for its
importance to both migrating and breeding birds and
which is home to the first bird observatory on the west
Tuesday 8th November – Greenock – Embarkation.
coast of Scotland.
Wednesday 9th November – Morning; Great Cumbrae –
Cathedral of the Isles.
Afternoon; Brodick, Arran – Island tour.
An afternoon sail allows us to circumnavigate the
imposing island of Ailsa Craig, once quarried for its blue
hone granite used in the making of curling stones, but
now home to vast numbers of gannets.
Friday 11th November – Morning; Holy Isle – Walks ashore.
Cruising to Holy Isle, off the east coast of Arran, we
Saturday 12th November – Greenock – Disembarkation.
stretch our legs ahead of our last visit to Rothesay
Castle on the Isle of Bute, previously described as one of
the most imposing castles in Scotland owing to its long
standing history and unusual circular design.
94
Thursday 10th November – Morning; Sanda Island – Walks ashore.
Afternoon; Circumnavigate Ailsa Craig.
Main image: Holy Isle; Images left to right: Rothesay Castle, Bute; Ailsa Craig; Cathedral of the Isles, Great Cumbrae 95
96 Main image: Loch Long; Images left to right: Tarbert Castle; Ascog Victorian Fernery; Loch Fyne
Fy
ne
Lo
ch
Scenic
Cruising
Scenic
Cruising
Loch
Loch
Goil
Long
Historic Kilmun and
Argyll Mausoleum
Holy
Loch
Loch
Striven
GREENOCK
I N V E R C LY D E
Lochs of Argyll
Tarbert
Tarbert Castle
BUTE
Rothesay
Ascog
Fernery
Saturday 12th to Wednesday 16th November 2016
This cruise also departs on 11th March 2016
Firth of
Clyde
ARRAN
Escape to the tranquillity of some of the most beautiful
and peaceful lochs of Argyll with this four night cruise
encompassing village walks, a restored fernery once
forgotten by time and a mausoleum built to house the
Dukes and Earls of Argyll.
Our voyage commences with a cruise through the
narrow Kyles of Bute and Loch Striven; during World
War II the loch was used for training the X-Craft midget
l Loch
submarine crews, deployed to attack the Tirpitz.
l Tarbert
Striven and Loch Fyne
l Ascog
Castle
Fernery
Ashore at the fishing village of Tarbert, with its ruined
l Historic
castle once occupied by Robert the Bruce, we stretch
l Loch
Kilmun and Argyll Mausoleum
Long and Loch Goil
our legs before enjoying a scenic cruise of Loch Fyne.
Lying on the geographical fault of the Highland Line, the
island of Bute is home to Ascog Fernery. Dating to
around 1870, this Victorian fernery was rediscovered and
Saturday 12th November – Greenock – Embarkation.
restored by its current owners and is believed to house
Sunday 13th November – Morning; Cruise Loch Striven and
Kyles of Bute.
Afternoon; Tarbert, Loch Fyne – Village walks and ruined castle.
the oldest fern in the United Kingdom – Todea Barbara
or ‘the thousand year old fern’.
Located on the shores of Holy Loch we visit Historic
Monday 14th November – Morning; Cruise Loch Fyne.
Afternoon; Rothesay, Bute – Ascog Fernery.
Mausoluem was constructed to house the remains of the
Tuesday 15th November – Morning; Holy Loch – Historic Kilmun
and Argyll Mausoleum.
Dukes and Earls of Argyll, Chiefs of the Clan Campbell
Wednesday 16th November – Greenock – Disembarkation.
Kilmun and Argyll Mausoleum. Built in 1790 the Argyll
and their families. Records indicate that Clan Campbell
chiefs have been buried here since the 15th century and
the last burial was that of the 10th Duke in 1949.
Our final afternoon is spent cruising Loch Long and
Loch Goil where we can enjoy the wonderful remoteness
of these lochs yet so close to the once industrial Clyde.
97
Cabins
Elegantly decorated and
All cabins offer ample wardrobe
Each cabin is equipped with a
furnished, Hebridean Princess
space, including a small personal
television; should you wish to view a
safe, drawers and a dressing table,
DVD in your cabin, a number of DVD
hairdryer, trouser press, iron and
players are available for this purpose
to make the most of the
ironing board and tea/coffee-making
and a selection of DVDs may be
available space. Poetically
facilities. There is also a refrigerator
borrowed from the Library.
named after Scottish isles,
stocked with a selection of soft
cabins are individually designed
drinks with fresh milk supplied daily.
All our guests enjoy exactly the same
For your added comfort and
high standard of service irrespective
are amongst the most spacious
relaxation, bathrobes, slippers and a
of cabin grade.
for vessels of her size.
wide range of Molton Brown toiletries
castles, lochs and sounds, they
are also provided.
98 Isle of Iona
Please note that smoking is not allowed in
the cabins.
Promenade deck
Isle of Staffa
Isle of Staffa bathroom
Isle of Bute
Isle of Raasay
Isle of Berneray
Isle of Bute
Isle of Iona
Isle of Staffa
Isle of Raasay
Bed: King-size or twin
Bathroom: Full-size bath
with thermostatic shower
Balcony cabins
Price category
The roomy Isle of Berneray and Isle of
Bute are situated on the port and
starboard sides, towards the after end
of the Promenade Deck. The private
balconies in these cabins ensure total
privacy as they cannot be overlooked
from the ship, and with teak tables and
chairs, they are the perfect place to sit
back, relax and take in the breathtaking
landscapes. These cabins contain king-size
beds, which can be re-arranged as twins.
The bathrooms are generous in size with
full-size baths and thermostatic showers.
Price category
Situated on the port and starboard sides
of the Promenade Deck, towards the after
end of the ship, these two superb cabins
are fitted with comfortable king-size beds
convertible into twins. Large picture
windows are perfect for watching the
landscapes unfold. Spacious bathrooms
contain full-size baths with thermostatic
showers.
Bed: Double
Bathroom: Thermostatic shower
Price category
An excellent port-side cabin in a quiet
corner on the same level as the Tiree
Lounge and the Library. This extremely
comfortable cabin has open views from its
windows and is well-equipped with
private facilities, including a thermostatic
shower.
99
Princess deck
Isle of Arran Suite, day room
Isle of Arran Suite, bedroom
Isle of Benbecula
Isle of Arran Suite, bathroom
Isle of Benbecula bathroom
Isle of Arran suite
Balcony cabins
with separate thermostatic shower
Isle of Barra
Isle of Benbecula
Price category
The ship’s largest cabin, the Isle of Arran
Suite, is located on the port side of the
Princess Deck and, as all windows are on
the ship’s side, privacy is assured. It
comprises a large, separate day room, a
spacious bedroom and a well-equipped
bathroom with bath and separate walk-in
shower. The bedroom contains a king-size
bed, which can be re-arranged as twins,
generous wardrobes, drawers, dressing
table and a second television.
100
Bed: Double
Price category
The Isle of Barra and Isle of Benbecula are
located on the port and starboard sides
forward on the Princess Deck. The
balconies, which afford total privacy as
they cannot be overlooked from the ship,
are fitted with teak tables and chairs for
you to enjoy the magnificent scenery.
The bathrooms are generous in size with
full-size baths and thermostatic showers.
Isle of Coll
Isle of Coll
Isle of Colonsay
Price category
Located on the same deck as Reception
and the Columba Restaurant, these
roomy, forward-facing cabins, at the
forward end of the Princess Deck, are
fitted with three large picture windows
offering excellent views ahead over the
bow. The king-size beds can be rearranged as twins. A well deck, some 40
feet (12 m) in length, between the cabins
and the forecastle, ensures privacy. Large
bathrooms feature full-size baths with
thermostatic showers.
Isle of Danna
Isle of Eigg
Isle of Muck
Isle of Rum
Isle of Danna
Isle of Muck
Bed: Double
Price category
The Isle of Danna is a roomy cabin and
tucked into a quiet corner on the port side
of the Princess Deck. It contains a kingsize bed, which can be converted into
twin beds, and two comfortable chairs
from which to enjoy panoramic views
through full-size picture windows.
Charming private facilities include
a thermostatic shower.
Price category
This popular, double-bedded cabin,
located on the starboard side of the
Princess Deck, has three full-size picture
windows, which afford superb views and
give the room a bright, airy feel. Private
facilities include a thermostatic shower.
Isle of Canna
Isle of Eigg
Isle of Rum
Bed: Single
Price category
These well-appointed cabins lie on the
starboard side of the Princess Deck,
enjoying good views. With a charming
home-from-home feel, they are much in
demand. The private facilities include
101
Waterfront deck
Duart Castle
Kinloch Castle
Torosay Castle
102
Duart Castle bathroom
Ardvreck Castle
Sound of Islay
Duart Castle
Kinloch Castle
Torosay Castle
Beds: King-size or twin
Price category
These elegant and roomy cabins on the
Waterfront Deck are connected by a flight
of stairs to the Princess Deck, offering
easy access to the embarkation area on
the same level for the small boats when
going ashore. While Kinloch and Torosay
Castle cabins are fitted with two opening
portholes, Duart Castle also has a
forward-facing porthole. All feature
spacious bathrooms with full-size baths
and thermostatic showers.
Sound of Jura
Ardvreck Castle
Lews Castle
Beds: Double
Price category
Sound of Jura shower
These elegant cabins on the Waterfront
Deck are connected by a flight of stairs to
the Princess Deck, offering easy access to
the embarkation area on the same level
for the small boats when going ashore.
Both these cabins are fitted with two
opening portholes and feature spacious
bathrooms with full-size baths and
Sound of Islay
Sound of Jura
Sound of Mull
Sound of Sleat
Bed: Single
Sound of Mull
Price category
Situated on the starboard side of the
Waterfront Deck, these are roomy single
cabins, fitted with two opening portholes.
The private facilities feature thermostatic
showers. A single staircase links these
rooms to the Princess Deck, with direct
access by a flight of three steps to the
embarkation area for the small boats
when going ashore.
Sound of Sleat
103
Hebridean deck
Loch Crinan
Loch Harport
Loch Torridon
Beds: King-size or twin
Price category
These charming, interchangeable king-size
or twin-bedded cabins on the port and
starboard sides of the Hebridean Deck are
generous in size. Although there are no
windows or portholes, fresh air is
circulated day and night by the ship’s
forced-air ventilation system. Spacious
private facilities include a thermostatic
shower.
Loch Buie
Loch Scavaig
Loch Crinan
Loch Harport
Loch Scavaig
Loch Torridon
Bed: Single
Price category
These charming, well-appointed cabins,
located on the starboard side of the
Hebridean Deck, offer spacious bathrooms
and full-size baths with thermostatic
showers. As they are not fitted with
windows or portholes, fresh air is supplied
by the ship’s forced air ventilation system.
Loch Scresort
Bed: Single
Price category
This delightful cabin, located on the
starboard side of the Hebridean Deck, is
well-appointed. Fresh air is supplied by
the ship’s forced-air ventilation system, as
this cabin does not have windows or
portholes. Loch Scresort has good-sized
private facilities with a thermostatic
shower.
Loch Scresort
104
Good connections
mean an easy start to your cruise
Our experienced reservations
staff can assist you with all
your UK travel arrangements,
including individually tailored
packages, to make your journey
to and from Hebridean Princess
as relaxed and as stress-free
as possible.
Whether you would prefer the
convenience of a chauffeur transfer, or
the comfort of a private airport lounge,
we will be only too pleased to cater for
your requirements.
Flights
Our reservations staff can advise and
arrange flights from most UK airports
to the airport nearest to your port of
embarkation in order to meet with
our private coach.
Rail
We can arrange standard or first
class rail travel from/to your local UK
railway station, together with seat
reservations where available, to the
station nearest to the port of
embarkation in order to meet with
our private coach.
Airports and railway stations
Door-to-door transfers
For cruises starting and/or ending
in Oban and Greenock the nearest
transport terminals are Glasgow
Central Railway Station and Glasgow
International Airport.
As an added touch of luxury, our
door-to-door service makes it
possible for you to enjoy the comfort
of chauffeur driven travel from
most places in the UK to your
embarkation port, or any UK railway
station or airport.
For cruises starting and/or ending
in Invergordon the nearest transport
terminals are Inverness Railway
Station and Inverness Airport.
Private coach transfers
Guests travelling by rail or air to
embark in Greenock, Oban or
Invergordon will be collected at the
railway stations or airports listed
above and transported by private
coach to join Hebridean Princess.
Secure car parking
A valet car parking facility is
provided for cruises staring and
ending in Oban and secure car
parking is available for Greenock and
Invergordon departures.
Hotels
You may prefer to extend your cruise
with a pre- or post-cruise hotel stay
and many of our hotel partners are
members of Connoisseurs Scotland
or Pride of Britain. Our reservations
staff can also recommend hotels
elsewhere in the UK.
Luggage transfers
The Baggageman provides a luggage
collection and delivery service from
your home to Hebridean Princess
and return. Please contact
The Baggageman directly
on 01844 264890 or visit
www.thebaggageman.com.
Cruises that start and finish in different ports
For cruises that embark and disembark in different ports, trouble-free arrangements have been made
by our reservations staff.
15th March 2016
12th July 2016
8th August 2016
25th October 2016
Spirit of Scotland
Following the
Grand Fleet
Stone Age Scotland
Call of the Clyde
Invergordon to Oban
Oban to Greenock
Oban to Invergordon
Coach transfers will be
provided from Inverness
Railway Station and Inverness
Airport to Invergordon at the
start of the cruise, and from
Oban to Glasgow International
Airport and Glasgow Central
Railway Station at the end of
the cruise.
Car parking is available at
Oban and a complimentary
transfer will be provided from
Oban to Invergordon on the
day of embarkation for
guests wishing to utilise the
car parking facility in Oban.
provided from Glasgow
Central Railway Station and
Glasgow International Airport
to Oban at the start of the
cruise, and from Greenock
to Glasgow International
Railway Station at the end of
the cruise.
Car parking is available
at Greenock and a
complimentary transfer will
be provided from Greenock
to Oban on the day of
embarkation for guests
wishing to utilise the car
parking facility in Greenock.
Greenock to Oban
to Greenock at the start of
the cruise, and from Oban
to Glasgow International
Railway Station at the end
of the cruise.
Car parking is available
at Greenock and a
be provided from Oban to
Greenock on the day of
disembarkation for guests
parking facility in Greenock.
to Oban at the start of the
cruise, and from Invergordon
to Inverness Airport and
Inverness Railway Station
at the end of the cruise.
Car parking is available at
Invergordon and a
be provided from Invergordon
to Oban on the day of
embarkation for guests
parking facility in Invergordon.
105
On board A-Z
Animals
Dress and footwear
We regret that no animals are
permitted on board the vessel other
than assistance dogs accompanying
disabled passengers.
Daytime: During the day dress is
casual. It is advisable to bring suitable
clothing for the area in which you will
be cruising.
Binoculars
Evening: For dinner in the evening,
guests prefer to dress more formally,
with a jacket and tie for gentlemen
and the equivalent for ladies.
Wildlife lovers may wish to bring
binoculars as there are only a limited
number on board for loan.
Communications
There are iPads in the Library and
Wi-Fi access is available.
Mobile phones should be switched off
in public rooms. The cellular system
in the Highlands and Islands is
somewhat patchy and reception can
be irregular.
In an emergency, the ship can be
reached by satellite phone, full details
of which will be forwarded prior to
your cruise.
Dining and restaurant
arrangements
The Columba Restaurant is
sufficiently large for all guests to dine
at the same time. The majority of
tables are for two, but should guests
wish to dine together we shall be
delighted to reserve a table for a
maximum of eight. Guests travelling
on their own will be seated at a larger
table, usually hosted by an Officer,
unless they indicate otherwise.
Special diets: We can cater for most
dietary preferences, with the
exception of strict kosher and one or
two other regimes. Special requests
should be included in the Pre-Cruise
Questionnaire; our reservations staff
will be pleased to advise you.
106
Gala evenings: The recommended
dress code for Gala evenings is black
tie for gentlemen and evening wear
for ladies, although this is by no
means mandatory.
On these evenings, the Officers will
wear formal dress. The number of
Gala evenings depends on the length
of the cruise, but as a guideline, two
formal Gala Dinners will be held
during a seven-night cruise.
Footwear: Non-slip shoes should be
worn on deck and in the ship’s small
boats when going ashore. Some
cruises visit remote locations where
heavy-soled shoes or walking boots
are recommended for shore visits and
serious walking.
Footloose cruises: In addition to
walking boots, we recommend that
guests protect themselves against
the unpredictable weather with
waterproof clothing; we would stress
that jeans are considered unsuitable.
A reasonably sized rucksack would
also be useful.
Electricity supply
The electricity supply on Hebridean
Princess is 240v AC and standard UK
3-pin sockets are provided in cabins.
If guests wish to use 110v equipment,
a transformer will be required – a
limited supply is available on board
for loan. The ship also carries
adaptors for European and US style
plugs, obtainable from the
Housekeeper.
Going ashore
Payment of shipboard accounts
Since many of the places on our
itineraries are unsuitable for berthing
alongside, Hebridean Princess is
equipped with sturdy and seaworthy
tenders to transport guests ashore.
Buoyancy aids are provided and must
be worn in all small boat operations.
Please note, however, that use of the
ship’s tenders does require a certain
degree of agility. If in doubt, guests
with physical disabilities and elderly or
infirm passengers should contact our
reservations staff before booking.
The currency on board is pounds
sterling. Payment of shipboard
accounts may be made in sterling,
either debit or credit Visa or
Mastercards, or cheques; sterling
travellers cheques are also accepted.
Our itineraries are planned to allow
frequent visits ashore to interesting
and unusual places, but participation
is by no means compulsory. The
emphasis is on pleasing one’s self.
As alternatives, we can usually
suggest an independent stroll or a
more serious walk ashore, perhaps
a bike ride or, as many guests have
discovered, the relaxation of staying
on board.
Gratuities
Hebridean operates a strict
‘no tipping’ policy.
Sailing
Most sailing on Hebridean Princess
is scheduled to take place over
breakfast and lunch, apart from
overnight sailings to St. Kilda. Smaller
ships tend to have a certain amount
of vibration and some noise is
inevitable when the main engines are
running. At night, a sound insulated
generator supplies domestic power
to the vessel.
Smoking
Smoking is not allowed inside the
vessel at any time and is not
permitted in cabins. Smoking is
allowed only on the outer decks, and
guests occupying balcony cabins are
asked to show consideration to other
balcony users.
Stairs
Hebridean shop
There is a small shop on board selling
souvenirs and a basic supply of
essentials. Cigarettes and tobacco
products are not sold on board.
As many of the areas we visit are
remote, it may not be possible to
purchase specialised items such
as specific camera equipment,
batteries, etc.
On board leisure
Hebridean Princess boasts a wellstocked library, and a card and
games area with a range of board
games, jigsaws, chess and
backgammon. Gym equipment is
available on the Waterfront Deck.
There is no organised gambling, apart
from the occasional ‘frog race’ to
raise money for charity. Each cabin is
equipped with satellite television;
should you wish to view a DVD in
your cabin, a number of DVD players
are available for this purpose and
DVDs may be borrowed from the
Library.
Please note that there are no lifts
(elevators) on board Hebridean
Princess and, although well equipped
with handrails, some of the ship’s
stairways are steep, particularly those
from the Princess Deck to the
Waterfront and Hebridean Decks.
Valuables
A small safe is provided in your cabin
to secure valuables. Hebridean
cannot accept any responsibility for
loss or damage to guests’ valuables.
107
What you need to know
Disabled facilities
If wheelchair users wish to cruise with
us, they must be accompanied by a
fare-paying able-bodied companion
to assist them on board and ashore.
Wheelchair access may be limited.
Entrances to the vessel have raised
coamings and almost all cabins have
a raised lip or step from bedroom to
bathroom. Please note that bedroom
doors are no wider than 70cm. As
the vessel does not carry a supply of
narrow wheelchairs for general use,
guests should check that their own
chair is of a suitable width.
Although well equipped with
handrails, some of the ship’s
stairways are steep, particularly
those from the Princess Deck to the
Waterfront and Hebridean Decks. As
there are no lifts (elevators), the
severely disabled or handicapped
may find their enjoyment of the cruise
impaired if they experience difficulty
in moving between decks and over
coamings between cabins and
bathrooms.
Fitness on board and ashore
Many of our visits ashore call for
reasonable walking ability if guests
are to gain maximum enjoyment
from the cruise. As many are to
lesser-known and remote places,
there are frequently landing stages,
steps, slopes and rough ground to
contend with. We therefore reserve
the right not to take a guest on a
particular visit if we feel that it would
be beyond his or her capabilities or
might affect the enjoyment of fellow
guests. If you are uncertain of your
ability to participate in these activities,
please contact our reservations staff
to discuss the route in detail before
confirming your booking. Those
requiring wheelchairs and/or regular
assistance in order to participate in
shore visits must be accompanied
by a fare-paying, able-bodied
companion to assist them.
108
We can usually organise alternative
self-guided walks ashore for less
agile guests to enjoy at their own
pace, or make other arrangements,
including taxis, at guests’ own cost.
Health
When booking, guests must advise
Hebridean of particular health
conditions necessitating special
precautions and of any subsequent
change. It is the responsibility of
each guest to inform Hebridean of
any prevailing condition which may
affect them on board or ashore and,
equally, other guests’ ability to enjoy
to the full any shore visits during
their cruise. Please refer to the
section ‘Fitness on board and ashore’
relating to the requirements for ablebodied companions.
Itinerary detail and variations
Cruise itineraries are published in
good faith but may have to be
altered on board to take into account
climatic, geographical, political and
other factors over which Hebridean
or its agents have no control.
We shall do our best to minimise
alterations and their potential effect
on guests.
While the Captain will do his utmost
to follow the itinerary, he will, where
appropriate, adapt the route to suit
the prevailing and forecast weather
conditions. The Captain’s decision
is always final. If such amendments
need to be made at short notice,
we cannot make any financial
adjustments. Please see page 4
of the 2016 Cruise Diary & Tariff for
our Conditions of Business.
Medical facilities
Guests are advised to pack all
necessary medical supplies, as our
ports of call are generally off the
beaten track and may lack facilities.
If guests intend to bring any
electrical or electronic medical
equipment, they should first check
with our reservations staff that it is
compatible with the ship’s 240v
electricity supply.
Hebridean Princess does not
routinely carry a doctor as she is
never far from land. Guests should
ensure that, to their knowledge, they
are fit to take a holiday during which
immediate medical assistance may
not be available. Arrangements to
consult a doctor on land can be
made at relatively short notice and
assistance can be summoned quickly
in the event of an emergency. Any
medical and repatriation costs will be
charged to the guest’s account.
The ship’s Officers are trained in first
aid and a comprehensive medical
supply is kept for emergency use.
Minors
We regret that children under the age
of nine cannot be accommodated.
Single room occupancy
Ten of our cabins are designed and
let on a single occupancy basis. Once
these cabins have been booked, solo
guests requesting a double cabin for
single occupancy will be charged a
supplement of 85% of the per-person
fare for that cabin grade. Please refer
to the Cabin facilities and dimensions
guide in the inside back cover or
contact our reservations staff for
further details.
Cabin facilities and dimensions guide
• British flag and management
• British officers
• Lloyd’s registered
• Twin screw
BOAT DECK
PROMENADE DECK
PRINCESS DECK
WATERFRONT DECK
HEBRIDEAN DECK
• 2,112 gross registered tons
• Fully stabilised
• 5 passenger decks
• Maximum of 50 passengers
• Quick launch & recovery
The ship was especially designed and built to sail in the waters of the
Bath with shower
Walk in shower (sq ft)
Day room/
balcony (m2)
Day room/
balcony (sq ft)
4.0
43.1
12.4
133.4
31.6
340.1
190.5
3.3
35.5
5.0
53.8
26.0
279.8
17.7
190.5
3.3
35.5
5.0
53.8
26.0
279.8
12.8
137.7
4.8
51.6
4.8
51.6
22.4
240.9
12.8
137.7
4.8
51.6
4.8
51.6
22.4
240.9
15.2
163.6
4.1
44.1
19.3
207.7
15.2
163.6
4.1
44.1
19.3
207.7
19.3
207.7
3.3
35.5
22.6
243.2
19.3
207.7
3.3
35.5
22.6
243.2
19.8
213.1
2.8
30.1
22.6
243.2
Total private
floor size (sq ft)
Bath with shower
Walk in shower (m2)
163.6
17.7
Total private
floor size (m2)
Bedroom (sq ft)
15.2
Bedroom (m2)
Interchangeable
twin/king size bed
Single bed
Double/king size bed
Bath
Portholes
Windows
Private balcony
Separate day room
Deck location
Price category
Shower
Scottish Western Isles and has proven her ability over the years.
tender system
Double/Twin Cabins
Isle of Arran Suite
Isle of Berneray
Isle of Bute
Isle of Barra
Isle of Benbecula
Isle of Coll
Isle of Colonsay
Isle of Iona
Isle of Staffa
Isle of Danna
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Duart Castle
Kinloch Castle
Torosay Castle
Ardvreck Castle
Lews Castle
Isle of Muck
Isle of Raasay
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Loch Crinan
Loch Harport
Loch Torridon
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
11.5
123.7
4.2
45.2
15.7
168.9
13.4
144.2
4.8
51.6
18.2
195.8
13.0
139.9
4.8
51.6
17.8
191.5
12.2
131.3
2.9
31.2
15.1
162.5
12.2
131.3
2.9
31.2
15.1
162.5
13.1
141.0
3.0
32.2
16.1
173.2
11.9
128.1
3.1
33.3
15.0
161.4
14.0
150.6
3.4
36.5
17.4
187.1
12.9
138.8
3.3
35.5
16.2
174.3
11.1
119.4
3.1
33.3
14.2
152.7
8.6
92.5
2.7
29.0
11.3
121.5
8.6
92.5
2.9
31.2
11.5
123.7
Single Cabins
Isle of Canna
Isle of Eigg
Isle of Rum
Sound of Islay
Sound of Jura
Sound of Mull
Sound of Sleat
Loch Buie
Loch Scavaig
Loch Scresort
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
9.2
99.0
1.9
20.4
11.1
119.4
11.0
118.4
2.2
23.6
13.2
142.0
10.5
113.0
2.4
25.8
12.9
138.8
11.0
118.4
2.2
23.6
13.2
142.0
9.9
106.5
2.2
23.6
12.1
130.1
9.0
96.9
3.0
32.3
12.0
129.2
9.0
96.9
3.0
32.3
12.0
129.2
10.2
109.7
3.2
34.4
13.4
144.1
All sizes are approximate
109
Deck plans
Port
Motor Lifeboat
Loungers
& chairs
Guests’ forward
viewing area
Funnel
Open deck
area
Loungers
& chairs
Loungers
& chairs
Guests’ forward
viewing area
Motor Lifeboat
Starboard
Boat Deck
(No 5 Deck level)
Port
Promenade Deck
(partially covered)
Look-Out
Lounge
Library
Isle of
Raasay
Isle of
Iona
Ladies
Tiree
Lounge
Skye Deck
(open deck with
tables and chairs)
Skye
Bar
Isle of
Bute
Balcony
Gents
Promenade Deck
(partially covered)
Conservatory
Tiree
Bar
Isle of
Staffa
Isle of
Berneray
Balcony
Starboard
Promenade Deck
(No 4 Deck level)
B
Isle of
Arran
Suite
Isle of
Danna
Viewing Balcony
Balcony
Port
Isle of
Barra
Shop
Columba
Restaurant
Isle of
Coll
Reception
Foyer
Isle of
Colonsay
Isle of
Canna
Isle of
Eigg
Isle of
Rum
Isle of
Muck
Isle of
Viewing
Balcony Balcony Benbecula
Starboard
Princess Deck
(No 3 Deck level)
L
Port
Duart
Castle
Kinloch
Castle
Torosay
Castle
Landing stage for small boats
through side of ship
Card and
Games
Area
Lews
Castle
Ardvreck
Castle
Sound
of Mull
Sound
of Islay
Sound
of Jura
Sound
of Sleat
Landing stage
for small boats
through side
of ship
Starboard
Gym equipment
Waterfront Deck
(No 2 Deck level)
Port
Loch
Torridon
Loch
Crinan
Loch
Scresort
Loch
Harport
Loch Loch
Buie Scavaig
Starboard
Hebridean Deck
(No 1 Deck level)
Hebridean Island Cruises Tel: 01756 704704 | www.hebridean.co.uk
110
Cruise Calendar 2016
Spring
page
March
1st
7th
11th
15th
22nd
29th
Doon The Watter
Lochs of Argyll
Spirit of Scotland
Easter in the Hebrides
Escape to the Highlands and Islands
6 nights
4 nights
4 nights
7 nights
7 nights
7 nights
20
22
24
26
28
30
April
5th
12th
19th
26th
Castles and Gardens of the North
Springtime Surprise
Footloose through the Inner Isles
7 nights
7 nights
7 nights
7 nights
32
34
36
38
May
3rd
10th
17th
24th
31st
Call of the Wild
St Kilda, Islands on the Edge
7 nights
7 nights
7 nights
7 nights
7 nights
40
42
44
46
48
Summer
page
June
7th
14th
21st
28th
Scotland in Colour
Footloose in the Outer Isles
Manx Heritage
The Hebridean Outposts of St Kilda
7 nights
7 nights
7 nights
7 nights
50
52
54
56
July
5th
12th
21st
30th
Hebridean Symphony
Nordic Outposts
7 nights
9 nights
9 nights
9 nights
58
60
62
64
August
8th
16th
23rd
30th
Stone Age Scotland
Hidden Isles of the Hebrides
Wonders of the Western Isles
Scenic Sutherland
8 nights
7 nights
7 nights
7 nights
66
68
70
72
Autumn
page
September
6th
10th
15th
20th
27th
Argyll’s Atlantic Islands
Highlights of the Inner Hebrides
Taste of the Outer Isles
4 nights
5 nights
5 nights
7 nights
7 nights
74
76
78
80
82
October
4th
11th
18th
25th
Highland Heritage
Autumn Surprise
Call of the Clyde
7 nights
7 nights
7 nights
7 nights
84
86
88
90
November
1st
of the Clyde
Lochs of Argyll
7 nights
4 nights
4 nights
92
94
96
8th
12th
Answering your queries and making your reservation
Our reservations staff are available to help you from Monday to Friday
9.00am to 6.00pm. They can give detailed information on all aspects, including
the various itineraries, cabins, food and travel arrangements to the ship.
Contact details:
01756 704704
Email: reservations@hebridean.co.uk
Website: www.hebridean.co.uk
UK Office:
Alternatively contact your preferred travel agent or cruise specialist.
Hebridean Island Cruises · Kintail House · Carleton New Road
Skipton · North Yorkshire BD23 2DE · United Kingdom

Cruise Directory - Hebridean Island Cruises

Transcription

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