From Invergordon to Oban · Northern Europe · 9 nights
From Invergordon 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.
Invergordon's deep natural harbour makes it a popular jumping off point for the Scottish Highlands, and most cruise ship visitors will head inland on excursions to Loch Ness, Culloden battlefield or the nearby city of Inverness, capital of the Highlands.
The flat, windswept Orkney Islands, just off the northeast coast of Scotland, have a distinctive Scandinavian heritage that’s discernible in everything from the unusual place names to the ancient Norse architecture of the capital, Kirkwall. Don’t miss the Ring of Brodgar, a fascinating Neolithic stone circle.
Stromness is the second biggest town in the Orkney Islands, an atmospheric and friendly place with a proud seafaring heritage. Enjoy local music in a cosy pub, explore independent shops and galleries or head out to one of the nearby prehistoric sites, such as the intriguing Ring of Brodgar.
This little village on the north coast of Scotland is an important fishing port, and a ferry runs between Scrabster and Stromness in the Orkney Islands. Munitions were shipped from here to Scapa Flow during the Second World War, and nearby attractions include the historic Castle of Mey.
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.
The little town of Dunvegan, on the west coast of Skye, is famous for Dunvegan Castle, seat of the Clan McLeod since the 13th century. The castle sits amongst beautiful gardens, and has a jetty where you can take boat trips out onto Loch Dunvegan in search of seals.
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 tiny island of Canna is the westernmost of the Small Isles, and was gifted to the National Trust for Scotland in 1981 by its former owner John Lorne Campbell. Canna was the site of an early Christian settlement, associated with St Columba, and supports wildlife including porpoises, puffins and eagles.
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.
Tobermory, an old fishing station brightened by a crescent of colourful houses, is the main settlement 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.
