From Cardiff to Oban · Northern Europe · 8 nights
From Cardiff to Oban
We know of no ship quite like this one; a tiny little gem, dedicated to Scotland and all things Scottish, this Princess is fit for a queen!
A single ship with just 48 guests and in operation for only nine
months of the year – hardly viable in the modern day, you would
think – and when you step aboard you will also feel as if you have
been swept into a bygone age, when kindness was key. A one word
descriptor? Charm, perhaps. But that only begins to cover what is
special about Hebridean Princess.
These days Cardiff has a real spring in its step, with striking new buildings such as the iconic Millennium Stadium providing a counterpoint to the city centre's historic castle. Stroll the revitalised waterfront at Cardiff Bay, visit the excellent Welsh National Museum and get to know the rugby-mad locals.
Fishguard holds the unusual distinction of being the site of the last invasion of Britain by a foreign power; a band of 1,400 French revolutionaries landed here in 1797, and were promptly repelled by the locals. The surrounding countryside is also full of history, with a plethora of impressive medieval castles.
Rugged and unspoilt, peaceful and perhaps a little parochial, the Isle of Man is proud to be different. The island has its own government, the Tynwald, which is said to be the oldest continuous parliament in the world, as well as its own language and even its own currency, the Manx pound.
The fishing port of Peel is on the west coast of the Isle of Man, and the town’s main attraction is the 11th century Peel Castle, which sits atop St Patrick’s Island and is accessed via a causeway. Just outside Peel is the village of St John’s, where the island’s parliament meets in the open air on Tynwald Hill once a year.
The 1998 Good Friday Agreement was a watershed moment for Northern Ireland, and its rejuvenated capital is enjoying a surge in popularity. The new Titanic Belfast museum is the star attraction, while the city centre boasts some handsome Victorian architecture and a lively pub scene.
Islay is renowned for its peaty, smoky whiskies, and the island is home to nine different distilleries, including the famous Laphroaig. Other highlights include the RSPB Loch Gruinart Nature Reserve and the ruins at Finlaggan, former seat of the Lords of the Isles.
The island of Colonsay is blessed with a varied landscape of birch woods, sandy beaches, rugged hills and grassy lowlands known as ‘machair’. Highlights include the dramatic sweep of Kiloran Bay and the magnificent gardens of Colonsay House, spread over some 30 acres.
The village of Craignure is the main ferry port on the Isle of Mull. This rugged and varied island is one of the most popular destinations in the Hebrides, and is rich in wildlife, home to species including white-tailed eagles, otters and whales.
The waterfront town of Oban, situated on Scotland’s west coast, is the main gateway to the Hebridean islands, and it’s a busy place in summer. We recommend sampling the excellent seafood while enjoying the views across to the islands of Mull and Kerrera.
