Highland Gardens

Arrive in Kyle of Lochalsh and embark Lord of the Highlands

From Gairloch, we travel to Sir Osgood Mackenzie’s masterppiece, Inverewe Garden, home to over 2,500 exotic and tropical species of plant and shrub. This jewel in the crown of highland gardens is now in the ownership of the National Trust for Scotland. We berth overnight in Inverie, Loch Nevis.

Cruising to Skye, we discover the epic history of Clan Donald at Armadale Castle where the 40 acre gardens attractively complement the Gothic mansion ruins, sheltered by 200 year old trees. Later, we cruise around the most westerly point of the British mainland, Ardnamurchan, to the Isle of Mull and its capital Tobermory where brightly painted houses line the waterfront; originally built by the British Fisheries Company to house its workers. We remain alongside at the island overnight.

Ardchattan Priory Garden, originally planted by medieval monks, affords breathtaking views over Loch Etive to Mull and Ben Cruachan. We spend a relaxing afternoon on board as we sail Loch Linnhe, passing mysterious lochs and islands until we reach the Caledonian Canal at Corpach.

Lying in the shadow of Ben Nevis, Fort William boasts Britain’s only mountain gondola which transports us to over 2,000 ft up the north face of Aonach Mòr. Later, we ascend Neptune’s Staircase, a set of eight interconnected locks, which lift the vessel 64 feet to Banavie, and sail through Lochs Lochy and Oich before transitting the tranquil, tree-lined Laggan Avenue to our overnight berth at Fort Augustus.

A scenic sail of Loch Ness leads us to our final visit at Cawdor Castle Gardens, forever immortalised in Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth.’ The castle boasts three very different gardens each with their own unique history and appearance. Displaying a wealth of flora and fauna, the gardens at Cawdor Castle are ever changing with the seasons. The farewell reception and dinner are held at our overnight berth in Inverness.

Disembark in Inverness after breakfast, for the onward journey home.