We'll begin our journey with a direct flight from the Luton Airport to Edinburgh.*

Superbly located in Edinburgh’s historic city centre, our Princes Street hotel looks onto Edinburgh Castle. With beautiful views of Edinburgh Castle and the city, this luxuriously ornate hotel is the perfect place to call home while exploring Edinburgh and its surroundings. Built in 1903, it is a well-established icon on Princes Street. It is within easy walking distance of key landmarks, including the castle, the Royal Mile, and Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

This afternoon, we’ll enjoy a walking tour of the neighborhood with our Scottish Guide.

This evening, we gather for a private evening visit of The Palace of Holyroodhouse. Our special tour of Scotland’s official residence of The King highlights Holyrood’s dramatic past and the Palace’s essential role today. We will enjoy a private tour of the State Apartments after the Palace is closed to visitors for the day. Our private tour offers a unique opportunity to go behind the ropes in selected rooms and into the West Drawing Room, which members of the Royal Family use as a private sitting room and is not normally open to the public. It is among the most beautiful rooms in the palace and boasts one of the finest 17th-century plasterwork ceilings.

Overnight at the Caledonian Hotel.
(R,D)

We enjoy a delicious breakfast at the Caledonian before embarking with our expert guide. We continue with the highlights of Edinburgh, from the narrow medieval alleys to broad Georgian boulevards. We will explore Edinburgh’s history through its streets and buildings, beginning in the cramped closes and wynds (alleyways and small lanes) of Old Town, before moving on to the vibrant shops of Grassmarket and ending with the neoclassical elegance of New Town.

The afternoon is free for shopping and your personal exploration.

This evening, we will begin with a red carpet arrival, where we will be welcomed aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia via the Royal Brow, the entrance previously reserved for Her Majesty The Queen and the Royal Family. We will have a private guided tour of this iconic ship, including the Admiral’s Cabin and the beautiful State Apartments, as seen in The Crown. We will dine in the elegant State Dining Room, where Her Majesty entertained royalty, dignitaries, and celebrities from around the world.

Overnight at the Caledonian Hotel.
(B,D)

This morning, our special Scottish National Trust historian will lead us through the rich history of Culloden Moor, the site of the Jacobite uprising in 1746. Culloden Moor is a place where visitors can feel a powerful connection to the past, and the emotions associated with the site are deeply rooted in the historical significance of the battle and the loss of life.

The Clava Cairns is a Sacred Site. This landscape was an important place for ritual and burial activities in the Bronze Age. Later burials at the site suggest continued significance for over a millennia. We will discover the ancient cemetery where we will explore passage graves, ring cairns, and standing stones. The Bronze Age monuments have been sited to align with the sun and the moon, but much remains unknown about their origins and is shrouded in mystery. For “Outlander” fans, the site provides the inspiration for the author Diane Gabaldon and the character Claire Randall, who found herself transported back in time to the 1740s, where she fell in love with the Highlander Jamie Fraser.

We return to the ship for lunch as we sail through Loch Ness in the afternoon. The sheer scale of Loch Ness, with its deep water and surrounding mountains, can inspire a sense of awe and wonder. The beauty of the landscape, from the historic castles to the lush vegetation, can evoke a sense of peace and connection to nature. The legend of the Loch Ness monster can fuel imagination and a sense of mystery, even if the belief in Nessie is not shared.

Overnight aboard Lord of the Highlands.
(B,L,D)

Today is a day of relaxation and learning as we sail the Caledonian Canal. The canal stretches for nearly 100 kilometers (60 miles) and connects the North Sea with the Atlantic Ocean. It's more than just a waterway; it's a journey through history, landscape, and culture. The Caledonian Canal bisects the Scottish Highlands from Fort William in the southwest to Inverness in the northeast, passes brooding castles and connects dramatic, deep-water lochs, like Loch Ness, Loch Oich, and Loch Lochy, and man-made locks, making it a visually stunning waterway. Rugged mountains, verdant hills, and the tranquility of the Scottish countryside will surround us.

In the late afternoon, we will explore the magnificent area of Glenfinnan with its Jacobite monument and train. Guests will have the opportunity to ride a train over the Glenfinnan viaduct, 100 ft above the river, or to kayak, bike, and hike. We will be moored this afternoon and evening at Corpach. Corpach is located at the entrance of the Caledonian Canal and offers a spectacular view of Ben Nevis, which towers above Fort William.

Overnight aboard Lord of the Highlands.
(B,L,D)

When you stumble across a destination many travelers have never heard of and locals can’t say enough good things about, you know you’ve struck gold in the world of off-the-beaten-path travel!

Oban is known for its natural beauty, being a gateway to the Scottish Isles, and its rich history. Highlights of our visit include Saint Columba Cathedral, Dunollie Museum, Castle and Grounds, Oban War & Peace Museum, and McCaigs Tower. Of course, we will experience a wee dram of whisky from one of the oldest distilleries in Scotland.

In every place we are moored for the evening, guests are invited to come and go at their leisure to explore the quaint pubs and activities on shore.

Overnight aboard Lord of the Highlands.
(B,L,D)

Iona is a holy island and has been described as the birthplace of Christianity in Scotland. In AD 563, St Columba and 12 companions came here from Ireland. The monastery they founded was among the most important and influential in the British Isles. The historical significance of Iona is testified to by the number of Scottish, Irish, Norwegian, and even French Kings buried in the Abbey's graveyard. The abbey's timeless aura, picturesque setting, and profound historical significance create an atmosphere of tranquility and introspection.

We will continue to Duart Castle, the seat of Clan Maclean, where we will be met by Sir Lachlan Maclean, 12th Baronet of Duart Castle. The castle is strategically positioned on a high crag at the end of a peninsula jutting into the Sound of Mull, commanding views of the Sound and surrounding waters. The castle's rich history, including its role in Scottish history and its restoration from ruin, can evoke a sense of connection to the past and a feeling of being transported back in time.

Overnight aboard Lord of the Highlands.
(B,L,D)

We disembark and travel through the breathtaking scenery of Skye to Dunvegan Castle, one of the greatest Hebridean castles and the only Highland fortress continuously occupied by the same family for 800 years. Architecturally, it is a building of high importance, containing the work of at least ten building periods ranging from the 1200s to the 1850s. We will tour the award-winning castle, steeped in history and clan legend, and experience a curated tour of its beauty, history, and formal gardens. On display are many fine oil paintings and clan treasures, the most famous of which is the Fairy Flag. From its impressive entrance hall to its ornately decorated State Rooms, the castle is a unique mix of building styles that reflect the requirements of the clan Chiefs who built them over the centuries.

This evening, we can venture off the ship at our leisure to The Old Forge, known for being the most remote pub in mainland Britain. The only ways to get to the Old Forge Pub are by sea ferry or a two-day, 18-mile hike across the Scottish Highlands – a trip that gives new meaning to the term "pub crawl". We will be moored overnight near the pub, and we are invited to experience the traditional Scottish music, both planned and impromptu.

Overnight aboard Lord of the Highlands.
(B,L,D)

Award-winning Attadale Estate Gardens, located in the heart of the Scottish Highlands, offer a captivating blend of art, nature, and history. Transformed by owner Nicky Macpherson, it is now a painter's garden designed to frame the views of Skye and the surrounding hills. Waterfalls, Monet bridges, meconopsis, bamboo, and candelabra primula are reflected in dark pools. Sculpture lurks in unexpected places, scattered through the garden.

We will have a curated tour of the gardens followed by tea and cake inside Attadale Estate.

Eilean Donan, or the island of Donan, is probably named after the 6th-century Irish Saint, Bishop Donan, who came to Scotland around 580 AD. Several churches are dedicated to Donan in the area, and he likely formed a small cell or community on the island during the late 7th century. Eilean Donan Castle is considered an icon among locals for its rich history and picturesque placement at the junction of three different lochs (Loch Alsh, Loch Duich, and Loch Long all meet here). The castle was initially built in the 13th century by Alexander II of Scotland to guard the area against possible Viking invasions.

Overnight aboard Lord of the Highlands.
(B,L,D)