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Scottish Gardens & Grandeur aboard Lord of the Highlands

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Operated by Botanica
Tripcode: BTLOH11
Overview
Destination:
United Kingdom
Start:Glasgow, United Kingdom
Finish:Glasgow, United Kingdom
Duration:11 days
Type:Group tour (max 45)
Travel Period
May 2026 - July 2026
Glasgow → Edinburgh

Join our exclusive charter of the Lord of the Highlands small ship, cruising the famed lochs and canals of Scotland. Visit the remote villages, castles and gardens of the Scottish Isles, absorbing the dramatic scenery of the Isle of Skye and the Isle of Mull. Our boutique vessel also navigates the Caledonian Canal to arrive at legendary Loch Ness. Before our cruise, we also gain an appreciation for the royal garden of Dumfries House.

This journey departs:

  • 23 May 2026

  • 11 July 2026

Highlights
  • Explore the formal gardens and sweeping parklands of Glamis Castle, where seasonal blooms, ancient trees and sculpted hedges frame one of Scotland’s most storied royal residences.

  • Discover spectacular Scottish gardens during a cruise aboard the Lord of the Highlands small ship.

  • Overlooking the Sound of Sleat, the castle once belonged to the powerful Clan Donald. Explore its 40 acres of gardens.

  • Be escorted by an expert , who will offer insightful talks on various topics and be available for informal discussions, enriching your travel experience.

  • See the Queen Elizabeth II Walled Garden, amid 600 acres of meticulously maintained grounds at Dumfries House.

Highlights:
Itinerary
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Day 1 - Glasgow

You will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy a Welcome Dinner this evening with the chance to get to know your fellow travellers.

Day 2 - Dumfries House

Travel south of Glasgow to the estate of Dumfries House. Here, 600 acres of gardens and well-designed landscape are set within a 1,400-acre farm. The main five-acre Queen Elizabeth II Walled Garden was restored as part of a project to make Dumfries House a focal point for heritage-led regeneration. The garden was opened in 2014, by Her Majesty The Queen, after two years of renovation and replanting. It is one of the most ambitious and significant gardening renovation projects to be carried out in Scotland.

Day 3 - Glamis Castle, Inverness and Embark Lord of the Highlands

Depart Glasgow this morning and travel north to Glamis Castle, which was the inspiration for Shakespeare’s Macbeth. More recently, it was also the childhood home of the Queen Mother. Continue to Inverness, where we board our privately chartered vessel, Lord of the Highlands. Enjoy a seven-night all-inclusive cruise, as we explore Scotland’s famous lochs and countryside.

Day 4 - Freedom of Choice, Cruise the Caledonian Canal and Loch Ness

Visit Cawdor Castle Gardens, also immortalised in 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 change with the seasons. Alternatively take a morning walking tour of Inverness and learn about the history of the highland capital. This afternoon, we set sail along the Caledonian Canal, which connects the four lochs of the Great Glen. Entering Loch Ness, we pass the romantic ruins of Urquhart Castle, before ascending the impressive flight of locks that runs through the heart of historic Fort Augustus. This evening, enjoy a welcome gala reception and dinner.

Day 5 - Loch Oich, Laggan Avenue, Loch Lochy, Neptune’s Staircase and Fort William Mountain Gondola

Continue along the canal through Loch Oich, transiting the tranquil, tree-lined Laggan Avenue, before ascending Laggan Locks. We cruise onwards through picturesque Loch Lochy, before descending Neptune’s Staircase, a set of eight interconnected locks dropping 64 feet into the sea lock at Corpach. Lying in the shadow of Ben Nevis, Fort William boasts Britain’s only mountain gondola, which transports us more than 2,000 feet up the north face of Aonach Mòr.

Day 6 - Isle of Mull and Lip na Cloiche Private Garden

From Corpach, we spend the morning sailing Loch Linnhe to Craignure on the Isle of Mull. Visit the private garden of Lip na Cloiche, which illustrates the wide range of plant varieties that can be successfully grown thanks to the island’s mild climate.

Day 7 - Tobermory, Isle of Skye, Armadale Castle and Inverie

A brief sailing brings us to Mull’s capital, Tobermory, where brightly painted houses line the waterfront. Enjoy free time to explore Tobermory’s pretty town. We then cruise around the most westerly point of the British mainland, Ardnamurchan, to Armadale Castle on the Isle of Skye. Here, we discover the epic history of Clan Donald. The 40-acre gardens of the castle grounds complement the Gothic mansion ruins, sheltered by 200-year-old trees. This evening, we cruise to Inverie, on the shores of Loch Nevis. Before dinner, take a short walking tour with a local ranger to learn about maintaining the forests. We dock here overnight, with the opportunity to visit Britain’s most remote mainland pub, the Old Forge.

Day 8 - Gairloch and Dundonnell Private Garden

Enjoy a full morning of sailing before we arrive in Gairloch. Our journey continues to Dundonnell Private Garden, the exquisite estate of Lady Jane Rice, wife of renowned English lyricist and author, Sir Tim Rice. Widely considered one of Scotland's finest private gardens, this breathtaking Highland haven features a series of enchanting outdoor spaces, a productive kitchen garden, vibrant flowerbeds, and a stunning water feature designed by William Pye.

Day 9 - Attadale Gardens

This morning we sail the coast of Sutherland to Kyle of Lochalsh. Visit Attadale Gardens, which were skilfully restored by their owner, Nick MacPherson, following storms in 1980. The artist’s garden boasts long-range views to the Isle of Skye. Recent developments include a new waterfall and pond, while an impressive sculpture collection can be seen extending across the 20-acre site. Enjoy a special final dinner aboard the ship this evening.

Day 10 - Kyle of Lochalsh, Disembark Lord of the Highlands to Edinburgh

Disembark this morning in Kyle of Lochalsh and travel to Edinburgh, where we enjoy our final Farewell Dinner.

Day 11 - Edinburgh, The Royal Yacht Britannia

To conclude our tour this morning, we visit the famous Royal Yacht Britannia. This luxurious vessel served as the royal family's ocean-going residence for more than 40 years. During this time, it embarked upon almost 1,000 state visits. Your tour concludes at the post-tour hotel in Edinburgh at approximately 12 noon.

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Please note: We are proud to be an independent agent to travel providers of hotels, flights and other related services. We are not a tour operator. Details and information on the offer are provided by 3rd party businesses and although we do our best to verify the information, we cannot guarantee its accuracy on all occasions. These offers are not available in conjunction with any other offer unless otherwise stated. Pricing and availability are subject to change without notice. For more information, please see Terms of Use
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