Please note our office will be closed on the following days for the Easter break:
Friday 30th March
Saturday 31st March
Sunday 1st April
Monday 2nd April
We will re-open at 9.00am on Tuesday 3rd April.
We would like to wish you all a very Happy Easter.
The beauty of Scotland’s Highlands and Islands has inspired numerous artists, composers and musicians, most famously the dramatic cathedral-like Fingal’s Cave on Staffa, immortalised by Mendelssohn and J M Turner to name but two. This cruise uncovers the talent of local musicians and artists who have also been stimulated by the unique atmosphere of the environs in which they live.
The Crinan Hotel is a renowned gallery venue where contemporary artists Frances Macdonald and her son Ross Ryan regularly exhibit. Frances is unrivalled in her ability to capture the true character and drama of the landscapes and coastline in Argyll and the Western Isles. From her studio and the hotel overlooking the Corryvreckan, there are inspirational views across the water to the north end of Jura, to Scarba, the mountains of Mull and the great expanse of the North Atlantic. Wonderfully in touch with her subject matter, Frances is immersed in her surroundings and can convey their every nuance to the viewer.
Ross Ryan grew up in the small fishing village of Crinan and graduated from Gray’s School of Art in Aberdeen. When he is not travelling the globe or sailing, Ross works from his print studio in the Old Boathouse at the Crinan Ferry in changing mediums; fully equipped for Collograph, Monoprinting, Etching and Woodcut prints, this is where Ross creates his print series and develops new projects.
The Resipole Studio is an award-winning fine art gallery and unique exhibition space which hosts an exciting annual programme of exhibitions and workshops of Scottish contemporary art that is both emerging and established. The gallery was launched in 2004 by Andrew Sinclair. An arts graduate himself, Andrew recognised the need for a professional gallery space and studio facilities to enable resident and visiting artists to access high quality resources in a truly inspirational Highland setting.
Since its launch, Resipole Studio continues to present work by artists of many disciplines, with Scotland as their key focus. With many award-winning artists on its roster, the gallery is regarded as one of Scotland’s leading contemporary art spaces.
Every July the beautiful Hebridean island of Islay is home to Cantilena’s professional musicians and students of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland who bring together their unique sound of chamber music to residents and visitors, with many of the concerts being held in the famous Islay Malt Whisky distilleries. To this romantic island, Cantilena brings wonderful music from the dazzling virtuosity of Vivaldi and Bach, through the romantic sophistication of Beethoven and Schubert, right up to the challenges of modern composers.
The professional musicians involved in the Cantilena Festival are driven by a powerful desire to share their passionate love of music-making with an emerging generation of young musicians.
The German composer Mendelssohn visited Scotland in 1829 when he was 20 years old. It was the natural beauty of Scotland and its rich history of fact and fable that delighted the young composer and inspired the Scottish Symphony, including the Hebrides Overture and Fingal’s Cave.
Some 150 years later the remarkable violinist Leonard Friedman, based in Edinburgh, conceived a musical pilgrimage in commemoration of Mendelssohn’s visit. With the first such event in 1988, Leonard inaugurated a week of music-making, concentrating on string chamber music, where the participants were a blend of established professionals and students at which audiences were welcome at no cost.
Today, the Mendelssohn on Mull Festival has retained its shape, despite the changing nature of artistic direction, musical mentoring and student participation. The venues in which the concerts are held are extraordinary, including the rugged splendour of Duart Castle, which helps to explain why these concerts have built a national following.
Our Classical cruise also takes us to Islay House Square, the exotic woodland gardens of Colonsay House, the sacred iconic Iona Abbey, the awe-inspiring Fingal’s Cave and the ancient Duart Castle. Experience all of this, interspersed with musical interludes and breathtaking scenery, all from the luxury of our floating country house hotel, Hebridean Princess.
>> Classical Inspiration departs from Oban on 3rd July 2018 for seven nights.
Prices from £3,885 per person based on 2 people sharing an inside double/twin cabin.
During this winter refit period, we have continued with our programme of cabin refurbishment. Once again we have worked closely with interior designers Sally and Lynsey from John Dick and Sons to transform 12 guest cabins on board.
Continuing with the subtle Scottish feel created in the public areas and previously refurbished cabins, locally manufactured fabrics have been used including plaid and Harris Tweed. Complementary colours and textures give each cabin its own individual identity and luxurious fabrics give a comfortable yet contemporary ambience.
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| Isle of Bute |
The Isle of Arran suite now boasts wallpaper and fabric featuring vintage parchment maps, a world globe inset in the coffee table and an elegant sage green and sand colour scheme.
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| Isle of Arran day room |
In addition, a total of 10 guest cabins have been fitted with brand new bathrooms using quality sanitary ware and brass fittings.
A further transformation you will notice is the on board shop. During the winter new stock has been sourced from local suppliers and is now attractively displayed in our wee shop.
We have even had a bespoke range of bow ties and cufflinks created by the Edinburgh Bow Tie Company from our very own Hebridean tartan, as well as an exclusive range of mens engraved leather wallets, supplied locally by Leather Guild.
To complement this for the ladies we had Lady Crow tartan silk scarves with beautiful pewter brooches, Sheila Fleet Jewellery, Leather Guild Tweed and leather handbags and purses plus a fine selection of Scottish toiletries and confectionery.
We are sure you will be tempted by the new array of mementos and souvenirs to take home for yourself or your loved ones.
As our 30th season of Hebridean Princess cruises has just begun you can be kept abreast of what is happening on board by logging onto our website and reading our online cruise logs which are updated regularly:
>> Cruise Logs
We hope you will join us on a virtual voyage of relaxation and discovery.
