LOCHS AND ISLES OF THE LOWER CLYDE

Greenock to Greenock

Tuesday 5th to Monday 11th November 2024

6 nights including 2 Gala Dinners

Explore the lochs and isles of the sheltered waters of the Lower Clyde. Relish their tranquility and magnificent scenery on this tantalising cruise where rich and rewarding treasures await discovery. Hebridean Princess introduces you to the delights of this area in comfort and luxurious style.

The Giant Redwood Avenue at Benmore Botanic Gardens forms one of the finest entrances to any garden in the world and gives a glimpse of the sheer variety of trees and shrubs beyond.

Go ashore on Bute to explore the wondrous Gothic structure of Mount Stuart House, home to the Stuarts of Bute, direct descendants of Robert the Bruce, which sits in 300 acres of glorious gardens.

Hebridean Highlights

• Benmore Botanic Garden

• Mount Stuart House

• Holy Isle

• Springbank Distillery

• Hill House

Onwards to little-known Great Cumbrae, along Millport Bay to wonder at the diminutive Cathedral of the Isles which dates from 1861, the smallest cathedral in Britain. On Arran, we travel to the newly-opened distillery of Lagg where disitillers use peat to produce earthy, complex and rich tasting spirits to revive a centuries-old tradition of whisky production.

The seclusion of Holy Isle, where St Molaise sought refuge as a hermit is now a centre of World Peace and Health founded by a Tibetan Buddhist meditation master, offers peaceful walks and quiet contemplation. In Campbeltown, we visit the oldest independent distillery in Scotland, Springbank, founded in 1828 by Archibald Mitchell and now run by the 5th generation of the same family.

A scenic cruise of Loch Long and Loch Goil precedes the Art Nouveau jewel of Hill House is the last of our treasures. Be inspired by the unique building, interiors and collection designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Margaret Macdonald Mackintosh in the ‘Glasgow style’.

T ravel Plan – 6 nights

Tuesday 5th November

Greenock - Embarkation.

Wednesday 6th November

Holy Loch - Benmore Botanic Garden.

Cruise East Kyle and Loch Striven.

Thursday 7th November

Rothesay, Bute - Mount Stuart House.

Great Cumbrae - Catherdral of the Isles.

Friday 8th November

Brodick. Arrran - Lagg Distillery.

Holy Isle - Walks ashore.

Saturday 9th November

Campbeltown - Springbank Distillery.

Cruise around Ailsa Craig.

Sunday 10th November

Cruise Loch Long and Loch Goil. Rhu - Hill House.

Monday 11th November

Greenock - Disembarkation.