Cruise Itinerary

DAY 1 — U.S. / Fly overnight to Inverness, Scotland

DAY 2 — Inverness / Embark Lord of the Glens
Arrive in Scotland and embark our ship in Inverness, capital of the Highlands. Moor overnight at Muirtown Lock.

DAY 3 — Culloden / Loch Ness / Fort Augustus
Today Highland history comes alive at legendary Culloden Battlefield, where Bonnie Prince Charlie fought in 1746. Visit the impressive 18th-century Fort George, built to ensure that the Jacobites would never rise again, and see the ancient standing stones of Clava Cairns. In the afternoon, sail the length of Loch Ness, past the ruins of Urquhart Castle, and moor at Fort Augustus.

DAY 4 — Caledonian Canal / Laggan Locks
This morning is at leisure to explore Fort Augustus. After lunch, we sail scenic Loch Oich along tree-lined Laggan Avenue, where golden eagles are often spotted. Join a guided walk in this natural area of Scotland. Moor at Laggan Locks.

DAY 5 — Glencoe / Banavie
Cross Loch Lochy this morning to Banavie, in the shadow of Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Great Britain. Explore rugged Glencoe, some of the finest walking country in the Highlands rich with flora and fauna, and hear tales of the infamous MacDonald massacre of 1692. Moor at Banavie.

DAY 6 — Neptune's Staircase / Tobermory
Our day begins with everyone on deck as the Lord of the Glens descends Neptune’s Staircase, a series of eight locks that lowers our ship to sea level. Sail to Oban, where we have a guided walk, including a whisky distillery and McCraig’s Folly. Moor Oban. (B,L,D)

DAY 7 — Inner Hebrides: Isle of Mull / Tobermory
Sail across magnificent Loch Linnhe to the Isle of Mull, where Highland cattle dot the wild landscape. Visit photogenic Duart Castle, an impressive fortress (with a dungeon!) and the ancestral home of Clan MacLean where we have a lovely mid-morning tea. Continue to Tobermory, an attractive town with pastel houses and a unique clock tower. Moor Tobermory. (B,L,D)

DAY 8 — Inner Hebrides: Iona / Tobermory
Today we explore Iona, the heart of Celtic Christianity. Walk through the ancient nunnery and along the stone walls to 12th-century Iona Abbey, where sixty kings lay buried including Duncan and Macbeth. Visit Torosay Castle with its magnificent gardens. Moor Tobermory. (B,L,D)

DAY 9 — Inner Hebrides: Isle of Eigg
Observe the local marine and birdlife of this remote island community: Atlantic seals, minke whales, dolphins, porpoises and a variety of seabirds. Overnight Eigg. (B,L,D)

DAY 10 — Inner Hebrides: Isle of Skye / Inverie
Sail into the Sound of Sleat to Armadale on the rugged Hebridean Isle of Skye, legendary for its snowcapped Cuillin Mountains. Go on a nature hike or take a scenic drive to Dunvegan Castle. Cruise scenic Loch Nevis and moor at Inverie, a remote community with no roads in or out. (B,L,D)

DAY 11 — Inner Hebrides: Kyle of Lochalsh / Inverewe Gardens
Sail along the Sleat Peninsula, known as the Garden of Skye, to arrive at Kyle of Lochalsh. Visit famed Inverewe Gardens. Tempered by the Gulf Stream, the delightful gardens are an anomaly of subtropical color—grown at the same latitude as St. Petersburg! Moor at Kyle of Lochalsh. (B,L,D)

DAY 12 — Kyle of Lochalsh / Disembark / Inverness / Home
After breakfast, disembark in Kyle of Lochalsh and drive to Inverness for flights home, or on to other adventures. (B)

Cruise PLUS Edinburgh

Before the loch-studded glens and windswept moors of your Highland voyage, experience the seat of Scottish culture and history at stately Edinburgh, Scotland's capital city. Stay two nights at the charming George Hotel, superbly located in the historical city center and within easy walking distance of Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace.

DAY 1 — U.S. / Fly overnight to Edinburgh, Scotland

DAY 2 - 3 — Edinburgh
Arrive this morning in Edinburgh and check in to the George Hotel. This is the perfect vantage for your outings in the city Robert Louis Stevenson described as “what Paris ought to be.” Scotland's capital is a city of contrasts: tall, dark buildings in medieval Old Town and classical architecture in Georgian New Town. Explore fortified Edinburgh Castle, overlooking the panorama of the Firth of Forth. See the Scottish crown jewels and the Stone of Scone, on which kings and queens have been crowned for more than 1,000 years. (B)

DAY 4 — Edinburgh/Inverness/Embark Ship
From Edinburgh, drive to Inverness, capital of the Highlands. The elegant Lord of the Glens awaits our arrival.(B,L,D)

DAY 5 — Culloden/Loch Ness/Fort Augustus

DAY 6 — Caledonian Canal/Laggan Locks

DAY 7 — Glencoe/Banavie

DAY 8 — Neptune’s Staircase/Oban

DAY 9 — Inner Hebrides: Isle of Mull/Tobermory

DAY 10 — Inner Hebrides: Iona/Tobermory

DAY 11 — Inner Hebrides: Isle of Eigg

DAY 12 — Inner Hebrides: Isle of Skye/Inverie

DAY 13 — Inner Hebrides: Kyle of Lochalsh/Inverewe Gardens

DAY 14 — Kyle of Lochalsh/Disembark/Inverness/Home

Cruise PLUS The Orkneys

After exploring the Scottish Highlands aboard the Lord of the Glens, discover Orknet's rugged outer islands. History unfolds at the Stone Age and Iron Age sites of Orkney. Your first two nights are spent at Balfour Castle and you'll also visit Shapinsay and Westray, with its dramatic seabird cliffs; sample fresh Orkney seafood and hear Orcadian music while sippingscotch whiskey produced at the world's norternmost distillery.

Day 1 U.S./Fly overnight to Inverness, Scotland

Day 2 Inverness/Embark Lord of the Glens

Day 3 Culloden/Loch Ness/Fort Augustus

Day 4 Caledonian Canal/Laggan Locks

Day 5 Glencoe/Banavie

Day 6 Neptune’s Staircase/Oban

Day 7 Inner Hebrides: Isle of Mull/Tobermory

Day 8 Inner Hebrides: Iona/Tobermory

Day 9 Inner Hebrides: Isle of Eigg

Day 10 Inner Hebrides: Isle of Skye/Inverie

Day 11 Inner Hebrides: Kyle of Lochalsh/Inverewe Gardens

DAY 12 — Gairloch/Disembark/Stromness, the Orkneys
Arrive in Kirkwall and ferry to Balfour Castle, exclusively reserved for Lindblad guests (2 nights) and set majestically on the shores of Shapinsay Island. Prior to dinner at the Castle, enjoy cocktails and a talk on Orkney history from the Neolithic age to the Vikings. (B,L,D)

DAY 13 — Kirkwall/Balfour Castle
Few places in the world have the impact of the Stone Age sites of Orkney: the Ring of Brodgar, Skara Brae and the Maes Howe tomb. See 12th-century St. Magnus cathedral and have a tasting at a Highland Distillery. Dinner at Balfour Castle. (B,L,.D)

DAY 14 — Isle of Westray
By boat, search for wildlife and seals at Holm of Foray. Continue by coach to Castle O’Burriaen to look for the endearing Atlantic puffins (through early July). Visit the Heritage Centre to browse for Orkney crafts. (B,L,D)

DAY 15 — Noup Head Reserve, Westray/Kirkwall
Explore the dramatic cliffs of Noup Head, a spectacular setting for thousands of breeding seabirds: fulmars, kittiwakes, razorbills and Arctic terns. (B,L,D)

DAY 16 — Westray/Rousay/Kirkwall
Explore more of the Orkneys’ remarkable archaeological sites: the Pictish Broch of Gurness, Blackhammar Chambered Cairn and Midhowe Cairn and Broch. (B,L,D)

DAY 17 — Kirkwall/Home (B)