HIGHLANDS & ISLANDS OF SCOTLAND

From Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh

Is there a valley more savagely alluring than Glencoe, an island more elemental than Iona, a peninsula more remote than road-less Knoydart?

From Loch Ness to Loch Oich, from Ben Nevis to the Sound of Mull, from the Isle of Skye to Iona, our study cruise aboard the Lord of the Glens will navigate a stunning natural landscape crowned with ancient monuments and stately castles.

Starting in Inverness, we sail the length of one of Britain's most scenic waterways, Thomas Telford's Caledonian Canal, in the stately Lord of the Glens. The 200 year-old canal slices through the Great Glen of the Scottish Highlands, connecting Lochs Ness, Oich and Lochy. Just north of Fort William, Neptune's Staircase - a dramatic series of eight locks - will lower us to sea level as we continue our cruise through Loch Linnhe to Oban.

A handful of Scotland's most beautiful islands now awaits discovery - Mull, Iona, Eigg and Skye - as well as one of Britain's remotest communities, Inverie. The enigmatic Bronze Age burial chambers and carved stones of Clava Cairns offer a matchless beauty, whilst the tiny island of Iona, venerated across Christendom, is a yet more atmospheric destination: it was here that St Columba founded his monastery in 563, and it is here that Scotland's early kings lie buried.

Much of Scotland's history is cloaked in turbulent, often brutal, intrigue. In 1692 Glencoe witnessed one of the bloodiest episodes in the region's troubled past: the massacre of the Clan MacDonald by their long-time enemies, the Campbells. Some 50 years later Culloden Moor was the scene of the last major battle fought on British soil, when Bonnie Prince Charlie's cold, hungry Highlanders were crushed by the Duke of Cumberland. That most majestic of mountain ranges, the dark Cuillins of Skye, later harboured the prince, disguised as "Betty Burke".

One of the highlights of the Isle of Rum, just south of Skye, is Kinloch Castle, the crenellated and turreted dream – some might say, folly – of George Bullough, a late 19th century industrialist. Although the castle’s menagerie of alligators and tropical turtles is long gone, Bullough’s fantasy remains the most intact Edwardian country house in Britain.

Inverie is one of mainland Britain's most far-flung outposts - accessible only after two days' hiking or by boat - whilst Inverewe Garden, on the banks of Loch Ewe, is equally unique: though lying further north than Moscow, the garden is famed for its exotic, sub-tropical plants.

An abundant bird and sea life graces the Highlands and islands of Scotland: ospreys, golden eagles and goosanders will accompany the first part of our journey.

Oban is famed for its otters and Eigg is reputed for its minke whales, dolphins and porpoises. Whilst on Mull there will be an opportunity to see white-tailed sea eagles on a specially escorted visit with the local RSPB.