You will not find a trip anywhere else that will even come close to this!

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The first week will be spent a luxury Perthshire country paradise, Stucktaymore House lies on the shores of Loch Tay and features the most wonderful panoramic views of the water. Set within extensive grounds, you can enjoy beautiful manicured lawns and an enchanted forest. The house and grounds are located near the Perthshire village of Killin, where the famous Falls of Dochart can be found. There is much to do and see in the local area, including scenic walks, historic landmarks and outdoor activities. The house has a sitting room, dining room, breakfast room, cottage kitchen, tea room, snug with roaring fire, bar and games room, study, media room and party room. There’s both indoor and outdoor dining space, a Jacuzzi hot tub and extensive self-catering facilities. During the week we will take in Blair Castle, Scone Palace, a Musical Evening, a Whisky and Gin Tasting Experience and the lovely villages of Pitlochry, Dunkeld, Crieff, Aberfeldy, Killin, Callander and Auchterarder.

The second week will be spent traversing the 60 miles of Caledonian Canal, one of the great waterways of the world, running through the very heart of Scotland. The cruise journeys from Loch Linnhe on the west coast to Inverness on the east coast, entering the Caledonian Canal at Fort William. The towering mass of Ben Nevis is a stunning backdrop to magnificent Loch Linnhe and the quintessential Scottish castle, Castle Stalker, before entering the 60 miles of the canal. Navigating Neptune's Staircase while on board is the best way to appreciate Thomas Telford's engineering masterpiece, with the canal passing through charming villages and beautiful countryside. The scenery is spectacular, from viewing majestic Glencoe and the towering mass of Ben Nevis to the striking reflections in the series of pretty lochs that link the canal. The area is full of historic attractions; anchoring off Castle Urquhart and the magical beauty of Loch Ness are some of the many major highlights. As was almost impossible to find a great ship that has more than 6 state rooms that can traverse the Caledonian Canal, so we decided to use two sister ships that each have 6 ensuite cabins and a full crew.

In 2004 Glen Massan became the very first Majestic Line boat. A former fishing boat, this wooden hulled vessel was bought in 2003 and brought back to the Holy Loch where she was lovingly converted into a comfortable cruising vessel. Like her sister ship Glen Massan, the Glen Tarsan is a lovingly converted wooden hulled former fishing boat and is now a comfortable small cruise ship perfect for exploring the magnificent Scottish coastline. 

Price includes all accommodation and meals which includes wine with dinner and an open bar in the evenings. Also includes all activities, sightseeing and entrance fees as listed in itinerary, along with all taxes, fees and service charges.​​

 

 

 

$10,995 per person. Sold Out!

$1695 single supplement.

$1000 per person deposit.

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Please do not sign up for a tour until you have read all through our

Terms and Conditions in regards to mobility, luggage, cancellation etc.​

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Day 1 - April 4th - This morning we will meet at our Glasgow Airport Accommodation and make our way into the Perthshire Highlands, an area famed for dramatic mountains, glens and lochs, ancient castles and unspoilt nature; for golf, fishing, walking and adventure; for distinctive cultural venues and exciting events. Located at the geographical heart of Scotland, within easy reach of busy cities like Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness, Highland Perthshire is at the heart of Perthshire Big Tree Country and boasts some of Europe’s most remarkable woodlands – all easily accessible on dozens of waymarked paths and trails. On our way to our home for the week we make our first stop at the Falkirk Wheel, the world's one and only rotating boat lift. A marvel of engineering and Scottish Canals' flagship destination, the Falkirk Wheel connects the Forth & Clyde Canal with the Union Canal in a half-turn that takes only five minutes! We will take a boat tour where as our gondolas is lowered, the opposite one rises, keeping the vast, 1800 tonne boat lift in perfect balance as it carries our canal barge over 100 feet into the air in a matter of minutes. We will then stop for afternoon tea before we visit Helix Park to see the Scottish Kelpies, the world's largest equine sculptures. We will have a Guided Walking Tour that takes you through the vision of artist Andy Scott and how history and industry impacted on his designing of these breath-taking sculptures. The pinnacle of the tour is that you get to experience a Kelpie from the inside, and see for yourself the breathtaking engineering and design of the Kelpies. Then we get settled into our new home for this week before gathering for dinner. Welcome Buffet Dinner and Overnight Loch Tay. (B,L,D)

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Day 2 - April 5th - This morning we will take in some of the Perthshire Highlands with a stop in Killin to see the Falls of Dochart, which although not the greatest falls in Scotland they are some of the most scenic as the cascade through the River Dochart. We then continue to Lochearnhead which as the name suggest, is at the head of Loch Earn. We continue along the whole length of the loch all the way to the end and then drive through this lovely area taking in St. Fillans, Comrie and then stopping in the lovely village of of Crieff to explore this wee town known as the birthplace of Scottish actor Ewen McGregor. It is always a favourite stop with our groups and we will take it all in. We then make our way to Aberfeldy to visit Dewars World of Whisky for Lunch and Drams of Your Dreams Premium Whisky Tasting. We then take some time to explore Aberfeldy, a pretty, lively town situated on Scotland's longest river, the River Tay. While here you will want to enjoy the unique experience of Aberfeldy Watermill, a bookshop, café and gallery housed in a listed former watermill. We then continue our scenic drive that will takes the full length of Loch Tay which its spectacular viewpoints and wee villages and back to our lovely home on the Loch where we settle in before dinner. Dinner and Overnight Loch Tay. (B,L,D)

 

Day 3 - April 6th - This morning we make our way to Blair Atholl to visit Blair Castle, ancestral home of the Dukes of Atholl. Blair Castle is set in extensive parklands, including the recently restored Hercules Garden and Diana's Grove, and with 725 years of history and over 30 rooms open to the public, an absolute delight to explore! You will have an introduction to the castle and then you will have plenty of time on your own in the castle and on the grounds. Just a few minutes away from the castle we find the Manse of Blair where we will stop ofr afternoon tea. We then visit the House of Bruar, the home of Scottish Country Clothing. This is the home of Traditional Heritage Tweeds, Fine Cashmere coats and the latest cutting-edge offerings from Barbour, Musto and Aigle in the clothing halls and their Knitwear Hall, which is home to the widest selection of pure cashmere in the UK. Nowhere else will you find such a rich selection of premium materials in both traditional Scottish and excitingly contemporary styles. You can also find the Finest Country Fayre of Traditional Scottish Food and Drink in the Food Halls and Delicatessen. Mario and I will collect things from here to take back for our dinner tonight. Then back home for dinner followed by a Musical Evening. Dinner and Overnight Loch Tay. (B,L,D)

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Day 4 - April 7th - The first stop this morning will be Perth and Scone Palace, the home of the Earls of Mansfield. Once the crowning place of Scottish Kings, Scone Palace occupies a unique position in Scotland’s history. A breathtakingly beautiful place of power and mystery and the rightful home of the celebrated Stone of Scone, Scone Palace is regarded as a national treasure and is revered as the historic jewel in Scotland’s crown. We will take Afternoon Tea at Scone Palace before making our way further up the road to the Perth Museum where we see the Stone of Destiny itself! This is an ancient symbol of Scottish monarchy and Kingdom. As a King-making stone, it was used in the inauguration of Scottish monarchs at Scone Palace. Its first documented use was in 1249 for the inauguration of the boy-king, Alexander III. Taken as war loot by King Edward I of England fifty years after Alexander became king, the Stone was carried to Westminster Abbey in London; a symbol of Edward’s victory and his perceived right to rule. Returning home to Perthshire for the first time in 700 years, this iconic artefact is still used to crown kings and queens of the United Kingdom today, including the coronation of King Charles III in May 2023. We are out to dinner this evening. Dinner and Overnight Loch Tay. (B,L,D)

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Day 5 - April 8th - This morning we make our way back toward Aberfeldy  with a stop at Fortingall to see the Fortingall Yew standing next to the wee church there. The yew tree which grows there has been estimated to be 5,000 years old and is the oldest living organism in Britain and possibly the world. The churchyard also has grave slabs and incised crosses that are hundreds of years old. If the church is open, it is lovely to explore as well. We then make our further up the road to Grandtully and Iain Burnett, the Highland Chocolatier where some of the world’s most highly awarded chocolates are created. You can also get a mug of some of the best Hot Chocolate in the world! From here we make our way to the Beatrix Potter Garden in Birnum. Beatrix Potter is most often associated with the Lakes District in England, but many of her childhood summers were spent in Scotland, and the gardens and shop are lovely to visit. We then make our way to Moness Estate for Afternoon Tea and a Gin Tasting Afternoon. The gin tasting includes a welcome cocktail followed by a guided tasting of 4 unique gins, each paired with its perfect serve all accompanied with some grazing platters. Moness is nestled in the heart of Highland Perthshire, where you can immerse yourself in breathtaking landscapes. We will take in some of this before returning home. After a full day of delights we will have a light soup, bread and salad dinner. Dinner and Overnight Loch Tay. (B,L,D)

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Day 6 - April 9th - Today we make our way to Stirlingshire and to Stirling and Stirling Castle for a tour of the castle. Stirling Castle in one of the finest examples of Renaissance Architecture in Scotland. Mary Queen of Scots was crowned here and the Great Hall and Chapel Royal are wonderful highlights. Here you will be able to step back into the sumptuous world of Stirling Castle’s Royal Court. An ongoing project has returned the six ground floor apartments in the castle’s Renaissance palace to how they may have looked in the mid 16th century. After your tour you will have some free time to explore the areas that you want to spend more time in. We then make our way back north to just outside of Perth for an amazing Prosecco Afternoon Tea in a grand 17th-century Country House reimagined for modern luxury and surrounded by rolling hills and ancient woodland. After taking afternoon tea we will take some time to wander the grounds before we return home to get settled in before dinner followed by an evening of Whisky Tasting. Dinner and Overnight Loch Tay. (B,L,D)

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Day 7 - April 10th - Today will be spent in and around our lovely home and estate. Sitting high above Loch Tay in Scotland, this large holiday home boasts stunning panoramic views of the loch and surrounding Perthshire hillside. Each bedroom has en-suite facilities and there is plenty of space for large groups to get together or spread out, with unique sitting rooms, dining rooms, a snug, library, kitchen, breakfast room, party room, bar, games room and media room. There’s outdoor seating and a hot tub, and the extensive grounds contain manicured lawns with fruit trees, plus an enchanted forest with walkways, statues and fire pits. There is also access across the fields to the lochside for wild water swimming. The house and its grounds were built in 1843 for the Earl of Breadalbane as his summer hunting lodge. Originally the estate covered over 50,000 acres of land on the north shore of the loch and included much of what is now Killin village. You will have a packed lunch to enjoy at your leisure either inside or outside and then in the afternoon you have the option of going to our favourite Highland Village of Pitlochry for some exploration and to find a bite to eat on your own. Overnight Loch Tay. (B,L)

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Day 8 - 13 - April 11th - 17th - This morning we leave Loch Tay behind and make our way north to Inverness where we will meet up with our Majestic Line Boats for our trip through the Caledonian Canal. We will make a few stop along the way including Fort William and Fort Augustus. These are both stops on the Caledonian Canal System and it will be nice to see them landside before we experience them waterside. Our first stop is Fort William renowned for its breathtaking landscapes that showcase the beauty of the Scottish Highlands. With Ben Nevis towering over the town, Glen Nevis offering lush green valleys and towering mountains, and Loch Linnhe providing stunning vistas of the surrounding hills and forests. We then make our way to Fort Augustus situated on the most southern tip of Loch Ness on the Great Glen Way. You can find some lunch here before we do some exploring. Lying on the impressive 60 mile long Caledonian Canal, halfway between Inverness and Fort William, Fort Augustus offers spectacular views down Loch Ness. To the north the canal enters Loch Ness, and within the village itself is a flight of locks that provide a fascinating place to watch the world go by. After thoroughly exploring Fort Augustus. We make our way further north to Inverness to get ready for our 6 Night Cruise. Overnight Onboard.​

The next 6 nights will be spent onboard our very informal and relaxed vessels. It's entirely up to you how much time you spend relaxing or being more active. Many people are content to just watch the beautiful scenery slip past from the comfort of the deck saloon, while those with an interest in birds and marine wildlife will enjoy scanning the sea and coast from the sheltered outdoor decks, binoculars at the ready.
Every day, the vessels will anchor off one or two new locations, including many enchanting places that can only be accessed by these smaller cruise vessels. There is no fixed itinerary on a Majestic Line cruise; there is a wide choice of fascinating and beautiful places to drop anchor and the actual stopovers will be chosen because they offer the best cruising conditions on the day. The Skipper will also consult us about the choices of anchorages. Approaching historic buildings and villages from the sea always gives a unique perspective and every day brings a new slice of Scottish history to investigate. There is usually the opportunity for a walk around each anchorage and trips ashore tend to last around 1-2 hours giving you plenty opportunity to stretch your legs and enjoy delightful walks in the fresh air.

Fishing from the boat is very popular and whenever possible they lay down creels for lobster, crab and crayfish; if successful the catch will appear on your breakfast plate. Some of our more hardy guests even enjoy a swim in the loch and we have the pictures to prove it! In the wheelhouse the Skipper is more than happy to enlighten guests on the finer points of inshore navigation; he will even invite you to take a spell at the helm. The crew are very knowledgable about the cruising area and happy to provide a perspective not always found in guide books!

After dinner is often a very sociable time when guests and crew exchange stories of the day's activities. There is a good library in the deck saloon with books, maps and videos on the history, culture and wildlife of the local area. Some guests enjoy a chat over a drink from the bar while others prefer to sit alfresco on the aft deck watching the sun set or take the chance to go ashore by tender for an evening stroll.

Dining on board these vessels is informal and friendly with meals served at the communal table in the deck saloon. The menu is freshly prepared each day to a very high standard by the onboard Chef. The west coast of Scotland is famed for its fish, shellfish, lamb, beef, and venison as well as specialty produce such as cheeses and preserves.

Each meal is generally served at anchor in a new idyllic location, carefully chosen by your Skipper, although occasionally you may dine while en route. Breakfast is served between 8 am - 9 am, lunch is around 1 pm, afternoon tea is served at around 4 pm, and dinner at 7.30 pm. These times may alter a little depending on the cruise itinerary. There is a new set menu each day but individual food tastes and dietary requirements are catered for.

Teas, coffees, fruit, and snacks are available all day. Complimentary wine is served with your evening meal. There is a well-stocked bar on board for drinks in the evening.

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Day 13 - April 17th - Our canal adventure will end in Oban this morning and we will say our goodbyes to the Skipper and Crew and start our journey back to Glasgow. But first we will explore Oban, known as the Seafood Capital of Scotland and the Gateway to the Isles. Nestled on the west coast and surrounded by miles of dramatic shores and beautiful countryside, the seaside town of Oban is a great place for a wee stroll. With an abundance of eateries, wonderful shops, and an in town whisky distillery, how can you go wrong. You may want to indulge in some of the best fish and chips in the world, and then walk the esplanade as it a wonderful place to work it all off! We love Oban and we know you will too. Our next stop on our way back to Glasgow is  St. Conan's Kirk, spectacularly sited over Loch Awe. You will fall in love with this wee Romanesque Church! Designed and built by Walter Douglas Campbell, the kirk is unique in having an example of almost every style of church architecture. Highlights include the Norman Doorway, the Gothic Flying Buttresses, a Celtic Cross, the Arts and Crafts Carvings, the Saxon Tower and even a Stone Circle. I have been visiting this extraordinary wee kirk for many years and there is nowhere on earth quite like it. Our drive will then take us through the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park and we will make a last stop on Loch Lomond before finally reaching Glasgow. Farewell Dinner and Overnight near Glasgow International. (B,D)

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Day 14 - April 18th - We return you to Glasgow International for the return home.

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Below you will find our cruise map starting in Inverness and ending in Oban. ​

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