Islands of the UK, Majestic Gardens and Royal Heritage by Small Ship

Arrive in Glasgow before 4.00 pm. Transfer to your hotel and enjoy a Welcome Dinner this evening and get to know your fellow travellers.

Depart Glasgow this morning on a scenic road trip to Oban. Heading northwest, we weave through the heart of the Scottish Highlands. Hug the shores of Loch Lomond before pausing in Inveraray to explore the majestic Inveraray Castle and its lush gardens. The property is home to the Duke of Argyll and steeped in the history of Clan Campbell. After taking in its grandeur, we continue our journey across winding glens and past shimmering lochs to arrive in the coastal town of Oban. Embark MS Hebridean Sky this afternoon. Enjoy welcome drinks and dinner as we sail this evening.

Arrive by Zodiac on the Isle of Gigha, which is privately owned by its residents. Travel beyond its deserted beaches and heather-covered hills, meandering along roads lined with wildflowers.  Look upon the grand facade of Achamore House and admire its eclectic garden, featuring a collection of azaleas, rhododendrons and exotic plants. This afternoon, we use our Zodiacs to land on the Isle of Jura. Arriving at the village of Craighouse, we are welcomed to Jura Distillery for a tour and tasting. Alternatively, you may like to join one of our naturalists on a walk along the shore.

Arrive in Northern Ireland this morning and enjoy some free time to explore the city of Belfast. While here, you may like to make an independent visit to the Titanic Experience. Located by the site of the ship’s construction, this museum tells the story of the Titanic, from conception to build, and its fateful launch in 1911.

After lunch, we make our way to the famous gardens at Mount Stewart, planted in the 1920s by Edith, Lady Londonderry. The gardens are of international importance and feature a magnificent series of outdoor ‘rooms’ and vibrant parterres containing many rare plants that thrive in the mild climate of the Ards Peninsula. The formal areas exude a strong Mediterranean feel, with their resemblance to an Italian villa landscape, while the wooded areas support a range of plants from the corners of the world. Explore the property’s opulent house, which reveals its fascinating heritage, along with its collection of historic artefacts and artwork. Magnificent views of Strangford Lough can also be enjoyed from the Temple of the Winds tower on the grounds of the property.

Arrive this morning on the Isle of Man and its main fishing port of Peel. Settlements have been here since the Mesolithic Age and the island also claims to have the longest continuous parliament, which was founded in 979 AD. Nearby, we find Tynwald Hill, within the small village of St John’s. Made from the soil and stones of each of the island’s 17 parishes, the tiered hill is the point from which all laws enacted in the preceding year are declared to government officials and public alike, in both Manx and English.

Continue to Castletown and board its vintage steam train for the journey to Douglas, the capital of the Isle of Man. The narrow-gauge railway dates back to 1874 and still runs with its original locomotives and carriages. Return to the ship for lunch and a free afternoon to explore Peel at your own pace. Maybe make your way to the cathedral, visit some of the many independent shops, or explore Peel Castle. Built by the Vikings in the 11th century, the castle has been a royal residence, centre of government and military stronghold. We sail late for anyone wishing to take an after-dinner stroll.

Today we explore the picturesque Lake District during a choice of tours.

On the lower reaches of the River Kent stands what has been described as ‘one of the wonders of Lakeland’, Levens Hall. This remarkable Elizabethan mansion has fascinating links to the Duke of Wellington. A tour of the house takes us through Leven’s exquisite rooms, which are furnished with carved oak panelling, leather wall coverings, and ornate plasterwork. They also boast magnificent collections of Elizabethan furniture and paintings. Stroll the gardens, established in 1694 by Colonel James Grahame. The French gardener Guillaume Beaumont was commissioned to create the topiary here, which is said to be the oldest in the world. In addition to its more-than 100 unique pieces of topiary, the gardens also showcase many colourful plants.

Alternatively, take a drive along the banks of Lake Windermere towards Rydal Mount, home of one of England’s most celebrated poets, William Wordsworth. The house remains much as it was when Wordsworth and his family lived there between 1813 and 1850. Discover the ambience that inspired Wordsworth as you wander through rooms decorated with furniture bought second-hand from country sales, as well as an abundance of Wordsworth’s personal possessions. Climb to the poet’s attic study, his place of work when he reluctantly agreed to become Poet Laureate. Wordsworth is also known for his love of flowers, in particular daffodils. He had a keen eye for design and was quite a skilled landscape gardener. Enjoy the spectacular views of Windermere and Rydal Water as we wander the gardens, which remain very much as he designed them.

Arriving in Wales, our vessel anchors in the town of Llandudno. We reach shore aboard our Zodiacs before driving the short distance to Bodnant Garden, which boasts stunning views across Snowdonia. Bodnant Garden features huge Italianate terraces and formal lawns across its upper level, with a wooded valley, stream and wild garden below. Admire herbaceous borders, roses, hydrangeas, water lilies and clematis.

Choose to return to the ship for lunch and enjoy a free afternoon in Llandudno. The seaside town retains much of its 19th-century grandeur, with Victorian architecture lining its sweeping waterfront promenade.

You may prefer to have lunch ashore before continuing to Plas Cadnant Hidden Gardens. The grounds here feature three distinct gardens, including a curved walled garden with a pool; a secret valley garden with three waterfalls and a river; and an upper woodland garden with stone outcrops and the remains of a 19th-century folly. Having not been maintained for more than 70 years, large parts of the grounds have since been restored to their former glory.

After a morning at sea we arrive on Lundy, a remote English island in the Bristol Channel. Its towering cliffs and rocky shoreline are a haven for migrating seabirds. Sika deer and Soay sheep can also be seen as we walk along the island’s traffic-free lanes and paths. Spend the afternoon exploring the island’s bays, coves and hanging valleys. See its ancient burial chambers, climb the lighthouse or buy the island’s ‘puffin stamps’ at the shop. If conditions permit, we may also be able to use the Zodiacs to cruise around the coastline.

Arrive this morning within the Isles of Scilly, an archipelago of five inhabited islands and around 140 uninhabited islets, off the coast of Cornwall. Our ship drops anchor and we reach the shore aboard our Zodiacs and local tenders. On traffic-free Tresco, we walk idyllic lanes from the beach to the famous subtropical Tresco Abbey Garden. The garden is home to more than 20,000 species of plants from over 80 countries. Enjoy time to wander at your own pace and perhaps visit the Valhalla Museum, which features a collection of ship figureheads from ships wrecked on the islands. Or simply take in the tranquil surrounds from the garden’s cafe. Afterwards, enjoy time to explore the northernmost island of the group, St Martin’s, whose community is made up of just 120 residents. While here, you may also like to climb to one of the viewpoints for vistas over neighbouring islands, as well as offshore seal colonies. Or perhaps pay a visit to the island’s vineyard.

Arriving in the Channel Islands, we explore Guernsey during a panoramic drive. See the beautiful coastline and beaches, then visit the Little Chapel, built in 1914 as a miniature version of the famous basilica at Lourdes. The chapel is decorated with countless fragments of shattered china and pebbles.

Alternatively, wander the island’s main town of St Peter Port.

In the afternoon, we board our Zodiacs and land on the peaceful, traffic-free island of Sark. Wander its narrow lanes while listening to the songs of chaffinches, skylarks and mistle thrushes. See the narrow isthmus which joins Little Sark and Big Sark and the enchanting gardens at La Seigneurie.

Renowned as the sailing capital of the UK, Cowes is also our gateway to the Isle of Wight this morning. While here, we have a choice of touring.

You may wish to explore Osborne House, the holiday home of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Built between 1845 and 1851, it brought the Italianate style of architecture to the island. Within the house we see sumptuous staterooms, ornate architecture, and a fine art collection. While wandering the grounds of the property, enjoy the walled garden, woodland walk, and the private beach, or take in the views over the Solent from the garden terraces.

You may prefer to take a drive across the island to Mottistone Gardens and Estate, which occupies an area of outstanding natural beauty. See the organic kitchen garden and walk through the orchard and garden terraces while admiring the sea views. For those keen to take a walk, you may wish to visit the nearby Longstone, a sandstone pillar with a mystical history.

The afternoon is free for you to explore Cowes at your own pace while we anchor overnight.

After arriving in Portsmouth this morning, disembark and transfer to London. Our tour concludes with a drop-off to the post-tour hotel at approximately 12.00 pm.