Nicholas Merchant

Nicholas has had a life-long interest in antiques and during his career has been a valuer for the auctioneers Sotheby's and Phillips, and a cataloguer of furniture, silver, plate, books and porcelain.

He is a member of the Furniture History Society and has a special interest in the opulent coastal dwellings of the western Mediterranean.

Castles & Gardens of the North: departing 26/04/11

Jim Gardiner

Jim Gardiner 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’.

Gardens of Argyll: departing 03/05/2011

Mike Everett

Mike Everett worked for 39 years for RSPB in various aspects of practical conservation ornithology. Widely travelled in Europe and Middle East, also Kenya, Sierra Leone, USA and Canada, and of course the UK. Author of several bird books; regular contributor of papers, notes and general articles to various journals and other publication.

Has also lectured widely (including overseas) as a guest lecturer (and ‘Ship’s Ornithologist’) on Swan Hellenic cruises since 1984 and led or co-led various bird watching tours in UK, Europe and Egypt.

Grand Cruise to the North & St Kilda: departing 28/06/11

Professor Ian Beckett

Professor Ian Beckett is Visiting Professor of Military History at the University of Kent. He was Professor of Modern History and Head of the School of Literature and History at the University of Luton before becoming Major General Matthew C Horner Distinguished Professor of Military Theory at the US Marine Corps University, Quantico, Virginia.

He was Professor of History at the University of Northampton from 2005 until February 2009 when he joined the University of Kent. He has led Battlefield Tours to South Africa, lectured on Swan Hellenic and Hebridean cruises.

Treasures of Orkney: departing 19/07/11

Mark Butterworth

An authority on the photography of Scotland during the 19th century, Mark Butterworth gives regular presentations with an original Victorian magic lantern projector and slides.

His collection of slides by the George Washington Wilson Company of Aberdeen is one of the largest in private hands. Mark, also carries out continuing research to understand how popular astronomy was presented to the general public in the 18th and 19th centuries, especially with the magic lantern, and uses examples from his collection of astronomical lantern slides to recreate 19th century popular astronomy lectures.

Inner Hebridean Prospector: departing 01/11/11