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 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.
Situated on the shore of Loch Gairloch in picturesque Wester Ross, the scattered settlements known collectively as Gairloch serve as a popular base for whale and dolphin watching trips, and the surrounding area is home to some beautiful sandy beaches.
Loch Ewe is a sea loch off the coast of Wester Ross, and the shores were traditionally inhabited by Gaelic speakers who lived in crofting villages. The loch had an important role during the Second World War as the base for Arctic shipping convoys, and is also home to Scotland’s smallest whisky distillery.
The pretty fishing town of Ullapool is a popular gateway to both the Highlands and the Western Isles, bustling with visitors during the summer. There is an excellent museum with exhibits on crofting, fishing and emigration, while just offshore the uninhabited Summer Isles are home to seabirds, dolphins and porpoises.
The isle of Raasay lies off the east coast of Skye, just 10 miles long and rising to a 443-metre peak at Dun Caan. Raasay has an interesting history, visited by James Boswell and Samuel Johnson during the 18th century, and was the birthplace of the Scottish poet Sorley McLean.
The Isle of Eigg is part of the Inner Hebridean archipelago known as the Small Isles, and is easily recognisable thanks to An Sgurr, the dramatic pitchstone lava ridge that dominates the island. Climb the rock if you’re feeling fit, and enjoy fantastic views of Skye and Ardnamurchan from the summit.
Muck is the smallest and most southerly of the Small Isles, just 2½ miles across and home to barely 40 people. Flat, fertile and flecked with wildflowers, the island provides a haven for wildlife including puffins, kittiwakes, fulmars, shearwaters, sea eagles and porpoises.
Tiree is the westernmost of the Inner Hebrides, and enjoys some of the longest sunshine hours in the UK. The influence of the Gulf Stream also means the climate is milder than on the mainland, and the island is characterised by sweeping white sand beaches, pretty wildflowers and strong winds that keep the midges away.
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.
