From Oban to Oban · Northern Europe · 7 nights
From Oban 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.
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.
The pretty seaside village of Plockton enjoys a lovely location overlooking Loch Carron, close to Kyle of Lochalsh and the Isle of Skye. Originally a crofting hamlet, and later a fishing port, it’s now a popular tourist destination with some great pubs and seafood restaurants. A boat trip out to see the local seal population is a popular excursion.
The Isle of Skye is one of Scotland’s most popular tourist destinations, thanks to a spectacular landscape of jagged peaks, misty moors and glassy lochs. The island’s biggest town is Portree, a pleasant little place with a colourful harbour.
The village of Uig sits on the west coast of the Trotternish Peninsula on the Isle of Skye, with some lovely walks nearby. Just outside the village is the Fairy Glen, an enchanting little valley of grassy hills, ponds and waterfalls that create the illusion of a landscape in miniature.
Situated on a natural harbour on the east coast of the Isle of Lewis, Stornoway is the largest town in the Outer Hebrides. The island is one of the last major strongholds of the Gaelic language, and is home to fascinating Neolithic sites such as the mysterious standing stones at Callanish.
The outlying Shiant Isles are a key breeding site for seabirds, home to species including Atlantic puffins, razorbills, common guillemots and northern fulmars. The islands are also a haven for seals and basking sharks, and are said to be haunted by mythical creatures known as ‘kelpies’.
Harris is the more mountainous southern part of the Isle of Lewis and Harris, the largest of the Outer Hebrides (sometimes confusingly described as two islands). Harris is famous for Harris Tweed, still hand-woven by the islanders, and is graced with some spectacular white sand beaches.
Lochmaddy is the gateway to North Uist’s watery landscape of peat bogs and lochs, a haven for wildlife including otters, seals and birds galore; native species include corncrakes, redshanks and red-throated divers. The gently undulating hills are ideal for hiking, and there are a number of interesting prehistoric sites.
The dramatic mountains of the Isle of Rum offer some of the most spectacular scenery in the Inner Hebrides. The eccentric Kinloch Castle is a reminder of the days when the island was the domain of the Bullough family, while the native wildlife includes deer, ponies, golden eagles and Manx shearwaters.
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.
