Call to book1-877-929-7245
Tour Search
#Favorites
UK & Ireland

Five-Star Highlands Cruise

Save
Gallery

Explore the rugged Scottish Highlands on a cruise on the Lord of the Highlands or MV Lord of the Glens

You are viewing the 2023 itinerary. Select your departure year
20232024
9 days Not yet on sale
Travel among a group of like-minded travelers led by a professional tour manager

2023 Tour code: GR-KKRA-23

About the tour

After traveling on the incredibly scenic Kyle Line Railroad, we explore the rugged Scottish Highlands on a voyage that takes us up Neptune's Staircase, along the Caledonian Canal and passes the glorious islands and idyllic scenery of the Inner Hebrides.

Highlights

Register your interest
  • Call to register

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 - Meet in Inverness

Meet your group and Tour Manager at the Kingsmills Hotel in Inverness. After checking in, there is time at leisure to explore the historic town before dinner. 

Includes
  • Dinner
Day 2 - MV Lord of the Highlands or MV Lord of the Glens

This morning we transfer to Inverness station, where we board the train for a journey on the Kyle Line to Kyle of Lochalsh. Here, your Tour Manager bids you farewell, and you board the luxury MV Lord of the Highlands or MV Lord of the Glens. For any queries during your time on board, there is an experienced Cruise Director. After settling in, enjoy a welcome reception and a three-course dinner on board. 

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3 - The Isle of Skye

After indulging in our first breakfast on board, we enjoy a morning visit to Eilean Donan Castle, set dramatically in the middle of the confluence of Lochs Duich, Long, and Alsh, before going on to the picturesque village of Plockton. From here, we return to our vessel to sail via Kyle Rhea and the Sound of Sleat to Armadale on the Isle of Skye. Later in the day we visit the Clan Donald Center and Gardens, before we sail to the town of Inverie, located on Loch Nevis.

We moor at Inverie for the night, giving you the chance to have a drink at the Old Forge, which boasts the title of the most remote pub in Great Britain, being 20 miles away from the nearest road. 

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 - Eigg

This morning we sail around Ardnamurchan Point, the most westerly point of mainland Britain. We reach Eigg, a tiny island dominated by 'an Sgurr', a dramatic pitchstone ridge.

Whilst on board, look out for the myriad of marine animals and birds that inhabit the island and its surrounding waters, including minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, and a wide variety of seabirds. After exploring Eigg, we sail into the Sound of Mull towards Tobermory on the Isle of Mull, the second largest Island of the Inner Hebrides.

The route takes us past the dramatic scenery of Scotland's west coast, with views of untouched moorland sloping down to jagged rock faces on the shore. We then arrive in Tobermory, the capital of the Isle of Mull, located in the north of the island. This lovely little fishing port is famed for its brightly colored houses. We moor here for the night, giving you the chance to further explore the pretty harbor of Tobermory.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 - Iona

We sail along the Isle of Mull to Craignure today, where we enjoy an excursion to the hidden and beautiful Isle of Iona. This unspoiled island is only accessible from Mull, and is filled with pristine beaches and wild terrain. Later, we return to Craignure, where we sail across to Oban. Here, we take some time to photograph the lovely 13th century Duart Castle. We moor at Oban overnight. 

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 – The West Highland Line

Today, we leave Oban to sail along Loch Linnhe to Corpach, located at the entrance of the Caledonian Canal. This afternoon, we take the West Highland Line over the beautiful Glenfinnan viaduct to the village of the same name. Tonight, we moor at Corpach.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 - Neptune’s Staircase

We sail this morning to ascend the incredible feat of engineering that is Neptune's Staircase, a flight of eight inter-connected locks that take the vessel along the Caledonian Canal, through Loch Lochy, Loch Oich, and Laggan Avenue. We arrive at our mooring space for the night, Fort Augustus.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 - Inverness

Loch Ness is our destination today. We cross this beautiful stretch of water, which has fostered tales of the famous 'monster' because of its murky and mysterious depths, and take in the stunning surrounding scenery, including the ruins of Urquhart Castle.

This afternoon, we enjoy a fascinating excursion to Culloden, the site of the battlefield where 'Bonnie Prince Charlie' and his forces were defeated in 1745. We also visit the ancient standing stones of the Clava Cairns. This evening, we enjoy a farewell reception and dinner on board, spending the night moored in Inverness.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9 - Departing Inverness

After breakfast on board, we disembark in Inverness and you are free to make your homeward journey.

Includes
  • Breakfast

Additional information

Departure times

Departure times vary based on selected rail vacation. This information will be provided in your final documents. For more information please speak with your rail specialist.

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. If you’d like to discuss any particular vacation with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us.

Hotel

Kingsmills Hotel, Inverness

Kingsmills Hotel, Inverness

View hotel

Trains

The Kyle Line
Scotrail
West Highland Line

Ships

MV Lord of the Glens
MV Lord of the Highlands

Enhance your holiday

Upgrades

Extend your stay
Global Rail Adventures Brochure

Global Rail Adventures Brochure

The definitive guide to our 2023 Global Rail Adventures

Download brochure
Related inspiration from our journey blog