Lord of the Highlands, Highlands in Bloom ex Kyle of Lochalsh to Inverness

Details

7 Night Cruise sailing from Kyle of Lochalsh to Inverness aboard Lord of the Highlands.

Garden Themed Cruise

Guest Speaker: Jim Gardiner - Jim Gardiner VMH is a former Director of Horticulture and is a Vice President of the Royal Horticultural Society. He has worked and trained in horticulture all his life including the RBG Edinburgh, Curator of the Harold Hillier Gardens and the RHS Garden Wisley. He has written books on magnolias and flowering shrubs, sits on the RHS Woody Plant and the IDS Education and Scientific Committees and is a Trustee of the Tree Register of the British Isles.

Scotland boasts a diverse collection of gardens which are home to a vast collection of plants from around the world, in spectacular natural settings. Experience the rich diversity of Scotland’s west coast gardens and explore botanic beauty on this horticultural extravaganza. Visit some of the area’s best kept secrets including Attadale in Wester Ross and Ardchattan Priory.

Attadale Gardens were skilfully restored by their owner Nick MacPherson as an artist’s garden after the 1980 storm, with an impressive sculpture collection scattered throughout the 20 acre site. Sail the coast of Sutherland to Gairloch to visit Sir Osgood Mackenzie’s masterpiece, Inverewe Garden, home to over 2,500 exotic and tropical species of plant and shrub. Originally laid out by Lord Macdonald in the early 19th century, the woodland gardens at Armadale Castle allow you to wander amidst 40 acres of trees, shrubs and flowers and take in panoramic views in a peaceful oasis. Ardchattan Priory Garden, originally planted by medieval monks, affords breathtaking views over Loch Etive to Mull and Ben Cruachan. After sailing Loch Linnhe, you reach the Caledonian Canal at Corpach and ascend the eight locks of Neptune’s Staircase. Onwards through Lochs Lochy and Oich before transiting the tranquil, tree-lined Laggan Avenue to your overnight berth at Fort Augustus. A scenic sail of Loch Ness leads you to your final visit at Cawdor Castle Gardens, forever immortalised in Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth.’ The castle boasts three very different gardens each with their own unique history and appearance. Displaying a wealth of flora and fauna, the gardens at Cawdor Castle are ever changing with the seasons.


Itinerary:

Day 1:
Kyle of Lochalsh – Embarkation.

Day 2:
Kyle of Lochalsh – Attadale Gardens.
Sail to Gairloch.

Day 3:
Gairloch – Inverewe Garden.
Sail to Inverie.

Day 4:
Armadale, Skye – Armadale Castle Gardens.
Sail to Craignure, Mull.

Day 5:
Oban – Ardchattan Priory Garden.
Sail Loch Linnhe to Corpach.

Day 6:
Transit Neptune’s Staircase and cruise the Caledonian Canal to Fort Augustus.

Day 7:
Cruise the Caledonian Canal and Loch Ness.
Inverness – Cawdor Castle Gardens.

Day 8:
Inverness - Disembarkation.