Scottish Islands & Lochs Cruise

Following your individual travel to Edinburgh, your Tour Manager meets you at the Radisson Blu Hotel. The hotel is superbly situated at the halfway point of the city's impressive Royal Mile which runs from Edinburgh Castle to Holyrood Palace. You are free to explore Edinburgh city centre, a UNESCO World Heritage site. As you wander through the narrow streets of the medieval Old Town and the elegant terraces of the Georgian New Town, it's easy to see why it was awarded this accolade. Stroll past award-winning modern architecture and majestic old buildings built in the area's typical grey stone, or amble down the winding alleyways, which fan out from the Royal Mile. Alternatively, visit the castle, a mighty symbol of Scotland's turbulent past.

This morning we transfer to Waverley Station for a journey via Glasgow to the fishing village of Oban on the Scottish mainland's west coast, which calls itself the 'seafood capital of Scotland'. Arriving in Oban we transfer to the North Pier, where we board the luxury MV Lord of the Glens. After settling in to your cabin, you could explore Oban before the Captain's welcome reception and dinner on board. We moor in Oban overnight.

After enjoying our first sumptuous breakfast on board we enjoy a walking tour this morning that includes a trip to a local Whisky Distillery for a tour and tasting and a visit to McCaig's Tower, a circular folly overlooking the town that was based on the Colosseum in Rome. Following our excursion we set sail for the first time, enjoying the spectacular coastal scenery in view on both sides of the ship as we cross Oban Bay and Loch Linnhe and enter the Sound of Mull. As we head through small islands and across to Mull, the incredible picture-postcard views are simply awe inspiring; rugged coastline, hills rising sharply from the water's edge, endless greens, purples and browns of the moorland and jagged, exposed rock faces - one of the highlights of Scotland's incredible west coast. We arrive at Craignure on the Isle of Mull for a visit to Duart Castle, the ancestral home of the Maclean Clan. Leaving Duart Castle, we cross Mull by coach to Tobermory, the capital of the island.

The fishing port of Tobermory is most recognisable for the gaily painted houses that line the waterfront. This morning you are free to explore the town before we leave Mull and sail to the mainland. Our journey takes us along the length of the Sound of Mull and along Loch Linnhe to Corpach, located at the entrance to the Caledonian Canal. We disembark the MV Lord of the Glens for a fantastic excursion on the West Highland Line to Glenfinnan, a glorious journey that provides a breathtaking snapshot of the wonderfully scenic highland region. We retrace the route to Corpach, where we remain moored for the night.

Our day begins with an ascent through Neptune's Staircase - an impressive flight of eight locks operated by a team of at least three lock keepers that raises the vessel to Banavie. From here we continue through Loch Lochy, before entering Loch Oich and along the tree-lined canal known as Laggan Avenue. We then descend the impressive flight of locks that run through the heart of Fort Augustus, lowering us into Loch Ness. We moor at Fort Augustus, a village on the banks of Loch Ness, which you have time to explore.

This morning we set sail across mystical Loch Ness, famous for its 'monster' as much as for its beauty. We cruise past the ruins of Urquhart Castle, still a striking sight on the Loch's banks. After passing Loch Dochfour we sail into Inverness, where our journey on the MV Lord of the Glens concludes. Tonight we enjoy the Captain's farewell reception and dinner.

After breakfast on board the MV Lord of the Glens, we disembark the ship. Your Tour Manager meets you as we transfer to Inverness station for the journey to Edinburgh. As we leave the brooding Cairngorm Mountains behind, we pass through the popular Victorian town of Pitlochry, famous for its Salmon Ladder and its surrounding forests, before travelling through the rolling Perthshire countryside and eventually into Edinburgh for a final afternoon at leisure in the Scottish capital. We stay for a final night at the Radisson Blu Hotel.

After breakfast this morning you are free to leave Edinburgh at your leisure.

Please note that the April 13 & 23 and October 18 departures will operate a similar itinerary, with the five nights on the MV Lord of the Glens running in reverse order.