Edinburgh, the Jacobite, Scottish Islands & Lochs Cruise

Meet in Edinburgh

Meet your group and Tour Manager at the Apex Waterloo Place Hotel in Edinburgh today, where you are at leisure until dinner this evening at our hotel. After breakfast on Day 2, we embark on a guided tour of this historic city. Edinburgh boasts of a myriad of sights, including the incredible Edinburgh Castle, which sits on the caldera of an extinct volcano. The Royal Mile is also an iconic part of the city, not only because it is the main promenade of the Old Town, but also due to it linking Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace, the official residence of the monarch of Great Britain whilst in Scotland. This afternoon, you are at leisure.

To Glen Spean

We take a taxi to the station this morning, then take the train across Scotland to Glasgow on a delightfully scenic route that takes in the views of the everchanging panorama of the country. On arrival in Glasgow, we begin our journey along the West Highland Line, one of the most renowned railroad lines in the world - and for good reason. This line is incredibly beautiful, and we travel along some truly spectacular sights, including wild and windswept Rannoch Moor. From Fort William, we transfer to Glen Spean where we stay for two nights.

The Jacobite

One of the highlights of our tour takes place today, with a journey along the West Highland Line on the Jacobite (First Class). The route we take today, between Fort William and Mallaig, has one of the most iconic sights of the journey, the Glenfinnan Viaduct. The 21 spans of the Glenfinnan Viaduct blend wonderfully with the surrounding hills and valleys, making it seem like it was always meant to be part of the beauty of the area. After some free time in Mallaig, we make a return journey back to Fort William.

Glen Ord Distillery

We visit Aviemore today, a town in the shadow of the mighty Cairngorm Mountain. After some free time here, we visit the Glen Ord Distillery for a tour and a 'wee dram' of whisky.

After breakfast on Day 6, we take the Kyle Line to Kyle of Lochalsh, where we board our ship, the MV Lord of the Glens. Tonight, we enjoy a captain's welcome dinner on board.

The Isle of Skye

After indulging in our first breakfast on board, we enjoy a morning visit to Eilean Donan Castle, set dramatically in the middle of the confluence of Lochs Duich, Long, and Alsh, before going on to the picturesque village of Plockton. From here, we return to our vessel to sail via Kyle Rhea and the Sound of Sleat to Armadale on the Isle of Skye. Later in the day we visit the Clan Donald Center and Gardens, before we sail to the town of Inverie, located on Loch Nevis.

We moor at Inverie for the night, giving you the chance to have a drink at the Old Forge, which boasts the title of the most remote pub in Great Britain, being 20 miles away from the nearest road.

Eigg

This morning we sail around Ardnamurchan Point, the most westerly point of mainland Britain. We reach Eigg, a tiny island dominated by 'an Sgurr', a dramatic pitchstone ridge.

Whilst on board, look out for the myriad of marine animals and birds that inhabit the island and its surrounding waters, including minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, and a wide variety of seabirds. After exploring Eigg, we sail into the Sound of Mull towards Tobermory on the Isle of Mull, the second largest Island of the Inner Hebrides.

The route takes us past the dramatic scenery of Scotland's west coast, with views of untouched moorland sloping down to jagged rock faces on the shore. We then arrive in Tobermory, the capital of the Isle of Mull, located in the north of the island. This lovely little fishing port is famed for its brightly coloured houses. We moor here for the night, giving you the chance to further explore the pretty harbor of Tobermory.

Iona and the West Highland Line

We sail along the Isle of Mull to Craignure today, where we enjoy an excursion to the hidden and beautiful Isle of Iona. This unspoilt island is only accessible from Mull, and is filled with pristine beaches and wild terrain. Later, we return to Craignure, where we sail across to Oban.

Here, we take some time to photograph the lovely 13th century Duart Castle. We moor at Oban overnight On Day 10, we leave Oban to sail along Loch Linnhe to Corpach, located at the entrance of the Caledonian Canal. This afternoon, we take the West Highland line over the beautiful Glenfinnan viaduct to the village of the same name. Tonight, we moor at Corpach.

Neptune’s Staircase and Inverness

We sail this morning to ascend the incredible feat of engineering that is Neptune's Staircase, a flight of eight inter-connected locks that take the vessel along the Caledonian Canal, through Loch Lochy, Loch Oich, and Laggan Avenue. We arrive at our mooring space for the night, Fort Augustus.

Loch Ness is our destination on Day 12. We cross this beautiful stretch of water, which has fostered tales of the famous 'monster' because of it's murky and mysterious depths, and take in the stunning surrounding scenery, including the ruins of Urquhart Castle.

This afternoon, we enjoy a fascinating excursion to Culloden, the site of the battlefield where 'Bonnie Prince Charlie' and his forces were defeated in 1745. We also visit the ancient standing stones of the Clava Cairns. This evening, we enjoy a farewell reception and dinner on board, spending the night moored in Inverness.

Departing Inverness

After breakfast on board, we disembark in Inverness and you are free to make your way to the airport for your flight home.

Included in your Tour

West Highland Line

We take a ride on the world-famous West Highland Line to Glenfinnan, affording us tremendous views of the Scottish Highlands.

Portree

Whilst we are on the Isle of Skye we pay a visit to charming Portree, the largest town on the island. Its attractive waterfront and collection of colorful townhouses make it an interesting place to explore.

Tobermory

We visit Tobermory, known for its collection of colorful seafront town houses, with time to explore.

Eilean Donan Castle

Set on a small tidal island, this picturesque castle is no stranger to film and television series and provides us with a fantastic excursion on Day 3.

Recommended airport

For this tour, we recommend arriving to Edinburgh Airport (EDI), which is approximately 8 miles from your base in Edinburgh. For this tour, we recommend departing from Inverness Airport (INV), which is approximately 8 miles from your final hotel.

Visa Requirements

It is your responsibility to check and fulfil the passport, visa, health and immigration requirements applicable to your itinerary. We do not accept any responsibility if you cannot travel, or incur any other loss because you have not complied with any passport, visa, immigration requirements or health formalities. You agree to reimburse us in relation to any fines or other losses which we incur as a result of your failure to comply with any passport, visa, immigration requirements or health formalities.

Departure Times

You may check in at the first hotel on your itinerary anytime after 14:00; your Tour Manager will be available between 16:00 and 18:00. However, if you are arriving later, you can meet your Tour Manager before dinner from 19:00.