Hebridean Shortlisted for 2020 Wave Awards

The Wave Awards are the most prestigious accolades in UK cruising and we are delighted to announce that Hebridean Island Cruises has been shortlisted in the Favourite Specialist Cruise Line and  Favourite River Cruise Line categories. 

We would love to secure your votes.  Voting closes at midnight on 31st December 2019 and the top three in each category will go onto the Wave Awards ceremony held on the 2nd April 2020 at London’s stylish 8 Northumberland Avenue, where the winners will be unveiled.

>> CAST YOUR VOTE HERE 

Christmas and New Year Opening Times

We would like to wish you a most enjoyable festive season and a prosperous New Year.

CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR OPENING TIMES

23rd December 2019 9am to 6pm

24th December 2019 9am to 12pm 

25th December 2019 Closed

26th December 2019 Closed

27th December 2019 9am to 6pm

28th & 29th Dec 2019 Closed 

30th December 2019 9am to 6pm

31st December 2019 9am to 12pm 

1st January 2020        Closed

2nd January 2020        9am to 6pm

Read All About It!

With the warm days of summer firmly behind us and the lead up to Christmas firmly taking hold, here's the chance to update yourself with what's been happening at Hebridean Island Cruises, in this winter 2019 issue of The Hebridean Times.

In this edition, Captain Richard Heaton shares with us some of his highlights of this season and our Meet the Team article features Chef de Partie George Baird.  A fantastic House of Bruar hamper filled with luxury Scottish treats is on offer in our caption competition, so get your creative juices flowing!

>> READ MORE

Destinations - The Holiday and Travel Show

In January we will be attending one of the UK’s biggest cruise and travel shows.
Come along and meet our experienced team and have your questions answered face to face. We would love to see you at ...

EVENTCITY MANCHESTER - 16th January to 19th January 2020
OLYMPIA LONDON - 30th January to 2nd February 2020

Discover your next adventure at Destinations: The Holiday & Travel show, in association with The Times and The Sunday Times.

The essential event for travel inspiration, dedicated to finding your ultimate holiday.
• Over 600 brands offering unlimited holiday destinations ideas
• More than 75 travel agencies showcasing exciting new destinations
• Travel experts on hand to tailor-make your next trip
• Exclusive Destinations show-only offers, discounts and upgrades

From activity and adventure to culture, cruise and safari, be inspired with the fantastic choice of exhibitors offering a huge variety of holiday and travel options. Tap into the experts' in-depth knowledge of destinations and experiences near and far, then tailor-make your ideal trip taking advantage of the great offers available when booking at Destinations.

<< CLICK HERE >> for FREE TICKETS and enter Promo code - EXHEBRI or call us on 01756 704704.

Cruising in a boutique hotel with Hebridean Island Cruises

By Alan Fairfax - Travel Writer, Cruise Journalist and Silver Travel Advisor

Alan was a guest on our Grandeur and Splendour of Argyll and Bute voyage.

Green rolling hills of summer turning to shades of gold, yellow and brown as winter approaches, the sun, low in the sky glistens on open water, as the ship eases from our berth to the sound of the pipes. Yes, Scotland, a land of castles, lochs, clans and tartans, its history dating back centuries and what better way to explore this beautiful country and its islands than on a small unique cruise ship, and unique Hebridean Princess definitely is.

Leaving Greenock, we set course for Rothesay, the main town on the Isle of Bute, its history traceable back to the 13th century, the castle overlooking the town is worth exploring despite much of it in ruins, the beautiful Mount Stuart House standing in magnificent grounds on the banks of the Firth of Clyde. The original house, built in about 1716, was unfortunately destroyed by fire, but in 1877 rebuilding began, the current house is still claimed to be unfinished despite continual building through the 1900s. Entering the house, you arrive in the most magnificent colonnaded marble hall adorned on two walls by pictures, a large tapestry on another and in a corner, the organ that was played at the wedding of Stella McCartney.

>>READ MORE HERE

St Kilda - Islands on the Edge

Hebridean Princess makes two or three visits each year to the UK’s only double UNESCO World Heritage Site; the abandoned and remote archipelago of St Kilda.

On reaching St Kilda it is as though you have reached the ‘islands at the edge of the world’. Situated 41 miles west of Benbecula in the Outer Hebrides, the archipelago is made up of five islands - Soay, Boreray, Dun, Levenish and the main island of Hirta, as well as two sea stacks close to Boreray, the highest in Britain, known as Stac an Armin and Stac Lee.

It is difficult to describe St Kilda to someone who has not had the privilege to experience this special place; it has an atmosphere all of its own. The islands were inhabited from the Neolithic period up until 1930 when the last 36 residents were evacuated to the Scottish mainland at their own request, leaving the 19th century village we find today on Hirta. Three indigenous species still survive on the island which also boasts an impressive seabird colony.

Traditionally the islands belonged to the Lords of the Isles, but were bought by the Marquess of Bute in 1931, a keen ornithologist, who subsequently bequeathed them to the National Trust for Scotland, an organisation which continues to preserve them today.

St Kilda was inscribed by UNESCO as Scotland’s first World Heritage Site in 1986 in recognition of its Natural Heritage and, in July 2004, this was extended to include the surrounding marine environment. In July 2005 St Kilda was awarded Dual World Heritage Status in recognition of its cultural heritage, making it one of only 28 places in the world and the only one in the UK with Dual Status for both its natural and cultural significance.

Hebridean Princess is due to visit St Kilda on the following dates:

>> St Kilda and the Outer Isles - 19th May 2020

>> St Kilda and Wester Ross - 23rd June 2020

Cycling Over The Minch

Olympic Cyclist Chris Boardman has written an article for The Telegraph on how his Hebridean Princess cruise changed his focus from road bikes and power metres to more relaxing off-road adventures and photogenic scenery.

Chris says "My brand (Boardman Bikes) supplied some bikes to a cruise ship in Scotland, the Hebridean Princess, and I agreed to go along because it is nice when your hotel moves and you can get off and ride around the Hebrides. But the people who were utilising the bikes were all older and they were stopping and taking photographs. They really calmed me down. They stopped me thinking about just going for exercise. They made me slow down and look around and by the end of the week I was doing things quite differently.

That’s the beauty of cycling: you can always learn something new."

<<Read the full article here>> 

You can join Chris on our Cycling Over The Minch cruise on 30th June 2020.

A Feast for the Senses

Our 'Flavours' cruises on board Hebridean Princess and Royal Crown are a true feast for the senses.  A gastronomic voyage is the best way to discover the regional cuisine and local specialities for which the area visited is famous.

Scottish food and drink lies at the very heart of Scotland's culture and economy.  With rolling, rural hillsides, clear coastal waters and lush, fertile lands, Scotland produces some of the best, and most sought after, natural produce in the world.

Scotland’s stunning landscapes are more than just scenery – its coast and countryside are where high quality produce is reared, gathered and grown. From mouth-watering Aberdeen Angus beef, to world-renowned seafood such as hand-dived scallops, wild trout, salmon, oysters and langoustines, these are just some of ingredients that Scottish chefs have to work with. And there’s nothing quite like eating them in the region they come from!  

Which brings us to the national drink – whisky. Over 100 distilleries in Scotland produce this amber-hued liquid. There are five Scottish whisky regions, each with their own distinct flavours, and rumour has it that if you don’t think you like whisky, it’s just because you haven’t found the right one yet!

David Moorcroft recently enjoyed a Gastronomic Scotland cruise on board Hebridean Princess and you can read an account of his experience here: <<Gastronomic Scotland>> 

Join Hebridean Princess in 2020 on our Flavours of Scotland cruise on 31st March or 13th October and explore the wonderful culinary offerings of the Highlands and Islands. 

Our Flavours of the Low Countries cruise on board Royal Crown explores the best of Dutch and Belgian food and drink on a voyage through a vast network of canals and rivers, stopping in key cities to soak up local culture and sample the produce for which the area is renowned.  

Often quoted as having the best cuisine Europe, Belgium’s food specialities extend far beyond just waffles, beer and chocolate.  For such a small country, it has rich local resources such as fish and mussels, meat and game with butter, cheese, cream, beer and wine being used liberally in local cuisine.

Dutch cuisine is unique and distinctive, embracing traditional culinary customs and ingredients. It is safe to say that the Dutch are big fans of cheese – they produce nearly 674,000 tons of cheese each year and export it to 130 countries across the globe. Every region in The Netherlands produces its own distinctive cheese. Cheeses such as Gouda, Edam, and Alkmaar are named after the areas from which they originate. 

Join Guest Speaker John Ducker and savour local beer in Europe’s diamond capital of Antwerp, enjoy the world-famous Belgian chocolate in historic Brussels, sip award-winning Dutch wines in Limburg and taste one of Holland’s biggest exports, cheese, as we explore the picturesque city of Gouda. 

A Cruise Around Scotland’s Western Isles by Dave Monk

On a tour of Scotland’s Western Isles, journalist and cruise blogger Dave Monk discovered the quirky delights of Hebridean Princess.

Read his review for World of Cruising Magazine here: <<READ MORE>>

Where are we going - Holland or The Netherlands?

By Sheila Salmon, Cruise Director, Hebridean River Cruises 

Keukenhof Gardens

Sorry for any confusion but it is a reasonable question which is frequently asked.  To be honest, both are correct in a way – nowadays North and South Holland form two counties or provinces of The Netherlands, but from the 10th century to the 16th century, Holland proper was a unified political region, a county ruled by the Counts of Holland.   The Kingdom of the Netherlands first appeared in 1579 and since that time this has been the official name for the country which now boasts 12 provinces.  However, even the tourist board seems confused!

What else is there to learn about this near neighbour – well frankly there is nowhere else like The Netherlands.  A small country which delivers an historic and cultural experience far outweighing its size! 

In 2019 Hebridean River Cruises are offering two contrasting cruises around this fascinating nation and it's low-lying neighbour, Belgium – and in a country where one fifth of the total area is water, and one third lies below sea level – a river cruise seems the logical way to travel.

Kinderdijk

Our first cruise in early April, Tulip Time in the Low Lands, will uncover delightful scenery as we explore the intricate network of inland waterways of The Netherlands and Belgium which flow through historic cities and charming countryside. Discover the contrasting highlights of these two enchanting countries, including a visit the spectacular Keukenhof Gardens, the largest flower garden in the world. Magnificent Amsterdam with its myriad of canals and unique townhouses, the bustling port of Rotterdam, the famous windmills of Kinderdijk, the silver city of Schoonhoven, and the medieval cities of Ghent and Bruges; this cruise will capture the essence of real Holland and Belgium with a perfect mix of cities, riverscapes and spring colour.

Gouda

The second cruise, Flavours of the Low Countries, sails through a vast network of canals and rivers, stopping in key cities to soak up local culture and sample the produce for which this area is renowned.  Savour local beer in Europe’s diamond capital of Antwerp, enjoy the world-famous Belgian chocolate in historic Brussels, sip award-winning Dutch wines in Limburg and taste one of Holland’s biggest exports, cheese, as we explore the picturesque city of Gouda.   Combined with a visit to the spectacular Keukenhof Gardens, this voyage is a true feast for the senses.

Both cruises will also give you an impression of The Netherlands’ age-old fight against the sea as we cruise through some of the amazing network of waterways which epitomise the country – both natural and man-made.  There is of course the phrase which encapsulates this, “God created the world but the Dutch made Holland” and here again we are back where we started!

<<TULIP TIME IN THE LOW LANDS>>

1st to 8th April 2020.

7 nights Amsterdam to Antwerp

Prices from £3,210 per person based on 2 people sharing an outside deluxe twin cabin.

<<FLAVOURS OF THE LOW COUNTRIES>>

8th to 15th April 2020.

7 nights Antwerp to Amsterdam

Prices from £3,210 per person based on 2 people sharing an outside deluxe twin cabin.

Footloose through the Inner Sound

Our first ‘Footloose’ cruise of 2020 offers a tantalising blend of energising walks and fascinating visits to suit every taste.  The diverse landscapes of the Small Isles and Skye contrast with the mainland gems of Gairloch and Shieldaig on this ‘Footloose’ escape of peaceful seclusion.

If you haven’t experienced a Hebridean Footloose-style cruise before, we hope you will

join us for a real treat. The walking part works like this: at each port of call, there is a guided walk which you can choose to join. Each is outlined in the daily itinerary, and the experienced on-board guides will also give a short briefing the previous evening on what to expect, and answer guests’ questions.

We sometimes walk directly from the harbour, or use a hired coach or mini-bus to reach the starting point. Some morning or afternoon walks may only last a couple of hours, but on others we spend most of the day exploring - carrying our own packed lunch supplied by the ship, or calling into a local hotel along the route where lunch has been booked.

How difficult is it? Well, although some routes will cross rough ground, or ascend fairly steeply at times, we are not taking you mountain-climbing! If you have already enjoyed walking off-road, in areas like the Lake District or Peak District, you will be more than ready for this. During an all-day exploration we may cover as far as 8 miles or so, but other walks are much shorter. The guides’ briefing, in the Tiree Lounge the night before, will fill in the details.  And of course, there are also other options for those who would prefer a more leisurely experience.

For the walks you will need your own equipment, including a small rucksack and clothing to cope with rapidly changing weather. If you have walking poles, please bring them as they are invaluable when the terrain gets a bit rougher. We hope you can join us in April to go Footloose through the Inner Sound. And finally, don’t forget your boots!

Footloose through the Inner Sound

Tuesday 28^th April to Tuesday 5^th May 2020.

7 nights, Oban to Oban.

<<CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS>>

Hebridean Roadshow October 2019

Over the coming weeks Hebridean will be out and about attending various events. 

Members of the Hebridean shore-based team will be on hand to showcase both Hebridean Princess and our European River Cruise Programme.  

We'd love to see you - please come along and we'll be pleased to answer any questions you may have.

Cruise Select Annual Cruise Show  

Sunday, 6 October 2019 at the Sharnbrook Hotel, near Bedford.

During the day, you will be able to meet with travel professionals from various cruise and river lines including Hebridean's Sales & Marketing Manager, Jonathan Moffatt.

Doors open at 10:30 am until 3:00pm.

The Sharnbrook Hotel (Park Lane, Sharnbrook, MK44 1LX) is located just off the A6 with lots of free parking. The very popular Italian restaurant hosts their famous £9.95 All Day Sunday Roast as well as authentic Italian options should you wish to stop for a bite to eat. We recommend you pre-booking as it can get very busy.

We look forward to seeing you on the day.

>> RESERVE YOUR FREE PLACES BY CLICKING HERE

Northumbria Travel Cruise Show 

Sunday, 27th October 2019 at Rockliffe Hall, Great Hurworth, Darlington - 10am to 4:00pm

Hebridean's Business Development Manager, Hannah Cockell, will be presenting at 12.00pm.

To reserve your place please call 01670 829922, email info@northumbriatravel.com or for more information CLICK HERE

Hebridean Princess Returns to Norway in 2020

 

Following the success of Hebridean Princess' Norwegian sojourn in 2017, we will once again be spreading our wings in 2020.

 

During the summer months of July and August, Hebridean Princess will ply the waters of Norway exploring the lesser known Hardangerfjord and the almost undiscovered Lysefjord.

 

Guests will also discover the delights of Sognefjord and the deep blue UNESCO-protected Geirangerfjord, and reveal the awe-inspiring inlets and islands between Bergen and Stavanger.

 

 

Flights between the UK and Norway are included in the tariff, but there is also the option to join or leave Hebridean Princess in Invergordon at the start and end of the programme.

 

To find out more about each itinerary please select the links below:

 

>> Stavanger and the Scenic Southern Fjords - 22nd July 2020 (10 or 8 nights)

 

>> Bergen and the Spectacular Western Fjords - 1st August 2020 (10 nights)

 

>> Norwegian Symphony - 11th August 2020 (7 nights)

 

>> Majestic Sognefjord - 18th August 2020 (7 or 9 nights)

Hebridean Shortlisted for 2020 Wave Awards

The Wave Awards are the most prestigious accolades in UK cruising and we are delighted to announce that Hebridean Island Cruises has been shortlisted in the Favourite Specialist Cruise Line and  Favourite River Cruise Line categories. 

We would love to secure your votes.  Voting closes at midnight on 31st December 2019 and the top three in each category will go onto the Wave Awards ceremony held on the 2nd April 2020 at London’s stylish 8 Northumberland Avenue, where the winners will be unveiled.

>> CAST YOUR VOTE HERE <<

Hebridean to attend Cruise Select Cruise Show

It's that time of year again, and Hebridean Island Cruises will be attending Cruise Select's highly popular annual Cruise Show on the 6 October 2019 at the Sharnbrook Hotel, near Bedford.

During the day, you will be able to meet with travel professionals from various cruise and river lines including Hebridean's Sales & Marketing Manager, Jonathan Moffatt.

Our top reasons to come along:

1) Your chance to discover various styles of cruising including river, small ships, expedition and luxury - and

2) Enjoy exclusive offers only available to Cruise Select

Doors open at 10:30 am until 3:00pm.

The Sharnbrook Hotel (Park Lane, Sharnbrook, MK44 1LX) is located just off the A6 with lots of free parking. The very popular Italian restaurant hosts their famous £9.95 All Day Sunday Roast as well as authentic Italian options should you wish to stop for a bite to eat. We recommend you pre-booking as it can get very busy.

If you’ve never cruised before, or you’re a cruise novice, we will be holding an ‘Introduction to Cruising’ presentation with our own answer to Jane McDonald, Amy (don’t worry, she won’t sing though). Presentations will be held at 11.00am and 1.30pm, and are restricted, and places must be reserved – so please let us know whether you would like to attend, which time, and how many places you would require.

We look forward to seeing you on the day.

>> RESERVE YOUR FREE PLACES BY CLICKING HERE

Read the Latest Hebridean Times Online

You should by now have received your copy of The Hebridean Times, but if not you can read it by clicking the link below.

  

In Issue 32 you will find all the latest crew news and Captain David Kirkwood's View from the Bridge, and can test your little grey cells with our crossword competition!

If you would prefer to receive a paper copy then please call our Reservations Office on 

01756 704704 or email your name and address to reservations@hebridean.co.uk

<<READ MORE>>

2020 European River Cruise Collection

Our ninth season of relaxing itineraries will transport you to the very heart of the continent in relaxing style on board the 1930's style river cruiser, MS Royal Crown.

Hebridean’s 2020 European River Cruise Collection
Offering wonderfully varied and meticulously planned itineraries on the tranquil Dutch and Belgian waterways and the majestic Danube, Hebridean River Cruises will take you on a voyage of discovery to fascinating destinations full of history and intrigue.

 

The Hebridean Difference
With 1930’s style, plus an uncompromising level of service and standard of cuisine, MS Royal Crown echoes Hebridean’s wonderfully relaxed style of cruising and house party atmosphere.  With a maximum of just 70 guests, our hand-picked Hebridean Team accompany each cruise to ensure your experience is unforgettable and exceptional with their meticulous attention to detail.

 

Itineraries are enriched by renowned guest speakers, and to add that extra special ingredient, each of our 2020 cruises feature a ‘Hebridean Gem’ – a truly unique and exclusive experience to add an extra dimension to your holiday and leave you with amazing memories to treasure.

 

Unlike most other river cruises, a Hebridean river cruise is fully inclusive and our carefully thought out flight and rail options make joining and departing the ship as stress free as possible.  Not only are the travel arrangements included in the cruise fare, but you will be accompanied by Hebridean’s own representatives, meaning that you can relax safe in the knowledge that you are taken care of from the very start to the very end of your cruise.

 

Attractive Fares and a Warm Welcome for Solo Travellers
With attractive fares and a renowned reputation for making single guests feel instantly at ease, Hebridean is the ideal choice for the solo traveller. 

 

Hebridean Grand River Voyages
All of our 2020 cruises have been designed to offer the opportunity to combine cruises with the minimum of repetition, presenting guests with a selection of stunning, extended voyages that discover the very best of what Europe’s majestic waterways have to offer.

 

Find out more by selecting the links below

 

>> Click here for the 2020 European River Cruise Itineraries

 

>> Click here to download a copy of the 2020 European River Cruise Brochure

Last few days to vote!

Hebridean Island Cruises Nominated for 2019 Food and Travel Magazine Awards

The eight annual Food and Travel Reader Awards short list has been revealed and Hebridean Island Cruises is delighted to be included once again!

Food and Travel magazine says:

“Eight years ago we set out to create a series of awards that were unique. We wanted to impartially identify the very best in the game, judged by experts who could draw on real-life experiences to inform their vote. They had to be people with unrivalled knowledge and passion for travel and food. They had to be people like you. Unlike other industry awards, ours are entirely nominated and voted on by Food and Travel readers.”

Those with the greatest number of votes on the closing date of 6th September 2019 will be crowned the winners at the prestigious Food & Travel presentation ceremony to be held later that month. 

We hope we can count on your vote to help us with this prestigious award for the 3^rd year in succession - please visit www.foodandtravel.com/awards  to vote - thank you.

>>VOTE HERE

Flavours of the Low Countries

Join Guest Speaker John Ducker and taste the best of Dutch and Belgian food and drink as you cruise through a vast network of canals and rivers, stopping in key cities to soak up local culture and sample the produce for which this area is renowned.

Savour local beer in Europe’s diamond capital of Antwerp, enjoy the world-famous Belgian chocolate in historic Brussels, sip award-winning Dutch wines in Limburg and taste one of
Holland’s biggest exports, as we explore the picturesque city of Gouda.

Often quoted as having the best cuisine in Europe, Belgium’s food specialities extend far beyond just waffles, beer and chocolate. For such a small country, it has rich local resources such as fish and mussels, meat and game with butter, cheese, cream, beer and wine being used liberally in
local cuisine.

Dutch cuisine is unique and distinctive, embracing traditional culinary customs and ingredients. It is safe to say that the Dutch are big fans of cheese – they produce nearly 674,000 tons each year and export it to 130 countries across the globe. every region in the Netherlands produces its own distinctive cheese. Cheeses such as Gouda, Edam, and Alkmaar are named after the areas from
which they originate.

A freelancer wearing two quite distinct ‘hats’, John is a member both of the Association of Wine educators and the élite Circle of Wine Writers, with many sea and river miles behind him as a lecturer. happily, and never quite having recovered from the surprise of winning the BBC’s
Zanussi-sponsored competition ‘The Taste of Italy’ many years ago, judged by Antonio Carluccio, his interest in wine is completely interlocked with that of food and of creating exciting balanced wine/food matches.

Not a food professional himself, John’s main focus has centered principally around the sheer diversity of European cuisine, not simply theoretically but practically too, as an accomplished home cook.
John has published a collection of his favourite recipes entitled ‘Dog’s Dinners’, a celebration of good food which reveals his love of cooking. Many will know John as an actor for his role as the voice and soul of the robot dog K9 in Doctor Who, hence the punning title!

Flavours of the Low Countries on board Royal Crown.
8th to 15th April 2020 - 7 nights - Antwerp to Amsterdam.

>> Read more

Hebridean Island Cruises Nominated for 2019 Food and Travel Magazine Awards

The eight annual Food and Travel Reader Awards short list has been revealed and Hebridean Island Cruises is delighted to be included once again!

Food and Travel magazine says:

“Eight years ago we set out to create a series of awards that were unique. We wanted to impartially identify the very best in the game, judged by experts who could draw on real-life experiences to inform their vote. They had to be people with unrivalled knowledge and passion for travel and food. They had to be people like you. Unlike other industry awards, ours are entirely nominated and voted on by Food and Travel readers.”

Those with the greatest number of votes on the closing date of 6th September 2019 will be crowned the winners at the prestigious Food & Travel presentation ceremony to be held later that month. 

We hope we can count on your vote to help us with this prestigious award for the 3^rd year in succession - please visit www.foodandtravel.com/awards  to vote - thank you.

>>VOTE HERE

Cruising the Clyde

You don’t have to travel far north to the Highlands to explore grand historical castles, baronial mansions and escape to Hebridean-style islands of peace and tranquillity. Around south west Scotland, experience a wealth of architectural and aristocratic treasures and exhilarating outdoor adventures in the Firth of Clyde.

This region abounds with great castles and country houses, many in spectacular settings and surrounded by landscaped gardens and parkland, and some of Scotland’s most famous ancestral homes are here.

As we sail the estuary of the Clyde and around its lochs and isles, we are reminded of how rich this part of Scotland grew as a result of shipping and ship-building. The Clyde reached out to the continent and across the Atlantic, and France and America in turn reached out to Scotland via the Clyde. Already by the 18th century, the inhabitants of the castles and grand houses of the Clyde
were wearing French fashions and drinking French wines; the shipping and sea lochs gave access to a much wider horizon than enjoyed in most of England.

From the earliest times the sea provided the most convenient routes around the area, carrying people and trade to the islands and mainland settlements. Materials to construct the castles, churches, country houses and towns had to be transported by sea. 

This region of Scotland is a complex system of long sea lochs which, far from inhibiting travel, are frequently the alternative to long, arduous overland routes. In late October and November our series of three cruises will take us up Loch Fyne on one side of the Cowal peninsula.

Loch Fyne is renowned for its seafood, particularly oysters, and was once famed for its herrings. The fish appears in the coat of arms of the Royal Burgh of Inveraray whose motto is ‘May there always be herring in your net.’

At Inveraray, we will find one of Scotland’s first planned towns with distinct white buildings, built at the same time as the castle and gardens. The original Inveraray Castle was demolished to provide a site for the new town, allowing the Duke of Argyll to build his new home where the old town stood. A remarkable and unique piece of architecture in the Gothic style, the unmistakable Inveraray Castle was the first of its size and type to be built in Scotland.

In the heyday, from late 19th century to 1960s, families from Glasgow and Clydeside enjoyed day trips and summer holidays on the Isle of Bute, travelling by paddle steamer, ‘doon the watter’ to Rothesay. Today the cultural spirit of the old resort still lingers and, on the curving promenade lined with palm trees, the decorative Victorian Public Convenience is elegantly restored.

Bute’s great attraction is Mount Stuart house, an opulent Gothic Victorian stately home within 300 acres of parkland. Its extravagant design features stained glass, an ornate heraldic ceiling, horoscope room and the aesthetically-crafted white marble chapel, reflecting the 3rd Marquess of Bute’s passion for art, astrology, mysticism and religion. 

Now owned by the 7th Marquess, Johnny Dumfries, (former racing driver), the house has an exquisite collection of portraits, paintings and antiques. Stroll around the “Pleasure Grounds” with Pinetum, bluebell woods, wildflower meadows, exotic plants from Latin America, cascading pools and ponds.

Known as ‘Scotland in Miniature’, the island of Arran has a diverse geography, fascinating geology, Neolithic Standing Stones, fertile valleys, snow-dusted mountains peaks, glacial glens, golf courses and white sand beaches. Influenced by the North Atlantic Drift, the climate is mild and temperate year round.

Overlooking Brodick Bay, in the foothills of Goatfell, is Brodick Castle, initially a 15th century stronghold for James II, inherited by the Earls of Arran, later named the Dukes of Hamilton. The original towerhouse was gradually expanded into a Victorian baronial mansion and shooting estate. Since 1957 the castle and landscaped gardens have been beautifully maintained by the National Trust for Scotland.

The island is renowned for farmhouse cheese, Arran Aromatics soaps, and whisky. The Arran Distillery at Lochranza benefits from the climate and pure water to create a smooth, sweet, spicy single Malt, with a nose of vanilla, cinnamon and dried apples. Informative, entertaining distillery tours end with a wee dram.

The neighbouring holiday island of Great Cumbrae is tiny – about three miles by two – with the charming seaside town of Millport. here, the Cathedral of the Isles is the smallest in Britain, designed by the English architect William Butterfield in 1851. With its 1867 organ, harpsichord and Bosendorfer grand piano, music is a vital part of church life during worship, concerts and festivals. Tour the island by bicycle, leisurely and safely on quiet roads.

A cruise of the lower Clyde unites natural beauty and human history, giving the area some of the richest heritage in Scotland today.

OUTLOOK ON THE CLYDE
5th to 12th November 2019
Prices from £3,030 per person based on 2 people sharing an outside double/twin cabin.

ARGYLL ESCAPE
12th to 16th November 2019
Prices from £1,625 per person based on 2 people sharing an outside double/twin cabin.