Gardens of Western Scotland aboard the Lord of the Glens 10006
Gardens of Western Scotland aboard the Lord of the Glens 10006
8 Days Starting and ending in Inverness, Scotland
Visiting: Inverness, Loch Carron, Isle of Mull, Glenfinnan, Fort Augustus, Loch Ness, Cawdor
Tour operator:
Tour code:
BGLG
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Trip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Scotland boasts a diverse collection of gardens which are home to a vast collection of plants from around the world, in spectacular natural settings. Experience the rich diversity of Scotland’s west coast gardens and explore botanical beauty on this horticultural extravaganza. Visit some of the area’s best kept secrets including Attadale in Wester Ross, the RHS Partner Garden of the Year in Scotland in 2023, and Ardchattan Priory.
The MV Lord of the Glens has 26 beautifully appointed and well-equipped state cabins, all with windows and en-suite facilities. The ‘Robert Louis Stevenson’ restaurant presents cuisine using local and freshly sourced produce whilst the ‘Sir Walter Scott’ bar and lounge on the upper deck provides for magnificent all-around panoramic views of the Highland scenery.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1
Location: Inverness
Accommodation Name: MV Lord of the Glens
Meals Included: Dinner
Travel under own arrangement to Inverness (rail/air connections can be arranged on request). A coach transfer is provided from Inverness Airport (approx. 1300hrs) or Inverness city centre (approx.1430hrs) to Kyle of Lochalsh, where we embark the MV Lord of the Glens. Alternatively, you may travel independently to Kyle, via the scenic railway line from Inverness.
Day 2
Location: Loch Carron
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we visit Attadale Gardens, voted RHS Partner Garden of the Year for Scotland in 2023. Attadale is a gem of a garden on the shores of Loch Carron, where the Gulf Stream influenced micro-climate nurtures 20 acres of outstanding water gardens, old rhododendrons, unusual trees and a fern collection in a geodesic dome. The gardens have been skilfully restored by their owner Nick MacPherson as an artist’s garden after the 1980 storm. We continue to the woodland gardens of Armadale Castle, originally laid out by Lord Macdonald in the early 19th century. The gardens boast 40 acres of trees, shrubs and flowers in a peaceful oasis.
Day 3
Location: Isle of Mull
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we visit Lip na Cloiche, a remote, hidden garden situated on a steep hillside on the northwest coast of Mull. This densely planted garden has stunning views of Loch Tuath and the Isle of Ulva. There is an eclectic and comprehensive collection of small trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants to be found here, including Chilean and New Zealand rarities. The garden was planned for long-season interest, providing a pattern of good planting ideas all year round. A picturesque burn is planted with primulas, mecanopsis, gunneras and other damp-loving specialities.
Day 4
Location: Glenfinnan
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast we visit Ardchattan Priory Garden which was originally planted by medieval monks and affords breathtaking views over Loch Etive to Mull and Ben Cruachan. Highlights here include herbaceous borders, roses, a rockery, ornamental trees and a wild flower garden. After sailing through Loch Linnhe we travel to Glenfinnan where the 18m-high monument provides a poignant reminder of the clansmen who gave their lives to the Jacobite cause.
Day 5
Location: Fort Augustus
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast we ascend Neptune’s Staircase, an impressive flight of eight inter-connected locks that lifts the vessel 103 feet above sea level to Banavie. We then sail through peaceful Loch Lochy and Loch Oich and various man-made sections of the Caledonian Canal, which was started in 1803 to plans produced by Thomas Telford following survey work by James Watt thirty years earlier. By the time the canal finally opened in 1822 it had taken 17 years and cost £840,000, but instead of the 20 foot depth in Telford’s plans, when it initially opened the canal was only 14 feet deep, too shallow for many of the increasingly large ships being built at the time. A second phase of construction was then undertaken between 1844 and 1847 and what emerged from this was the canal originally proposed by Telford. The irony was that by the time the canal was finally complete, steam ships could make the passage around Scotland much more easily than the sailing ships in whose era it was designed. We moor overnight in Fort Augustus.
Day 6
Location: Loch Ness
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A scenic sail of Loch Ness leads us to Abriachan Garden, a uniquely beautiful woodland garden with a fantastic mix of native and exotic plantings, and the most northerly botanic garden in Britain. The garden also affords views across Loch Ness.
Day 7
Location: Cawdor
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Our final visit is Cawdor Castle Gardens, forever immortalised in Shakespeare’s ‘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 are ever changing with the seasons. The gardens include large herbaceous borders, collections of rhododendrons and azaleas, whole borders full of lilies and galtonias, flowering trees and shrubs, archways of rambling roses and laburnum, spring bulbs and contemporary sculptures.
Day 8
Location: Inverness
Meals Included: Breakfast
Following breakfast we disembark. A coach transfer is provided to Inverness city centre (approx. 0930hrs) and Inverness Airport (approx. 1000hrs). Alternatively, you may return home independently – extensions are also available on request.
What's Included
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Accommodation
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Meals as per itinerary
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Return coach transfers from Inverness
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All excursions and visits as per itinerary
What's Not Included
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Travel to Inverness
Travel to Inverness is not included and must be arranged independently.
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Extensions
Extensions to the tour are available on request but are not included in the standard package.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of transportation is provided during the tour?
The tour includes transportation aboard a private air-conditioned coach for local travel and scenic sailing aboard the MV Lord of the Glens. Transfers are available from Inverness Airport or city centre.
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What kind of accommodation is included in the tour?
Accommodation is provided aboard the MV Lord of the Glens, offering a comfortable and scenic stay as you cruise through the picturesque landscapes of Western Scotland.
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Are meals included in the tour package?
Yes, meals are included as per the itinerary, along with wine and tea or coffee with dinner.
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Is there a guide or tour manager included in the tour?
Yes, an expert guide lecturer and a professional tour manager are included to provide insights and ensure the smooth running of the tour.
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Are taxes and gratuities included in the tour price?
Yes, all taxes and gratuities are included in the tour package.
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What is the starting and ending location of the tour?
The tour starts and ends in Inverness, Scotland.
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Is travel to Inverness included in the tour package?
No, travel to Inverness is not included and must be arranged independently.
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Are there any additional costs not covered by the tour package?
Extensions to the tour are available on request but are not included in the standard package.
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Will I receive more details of the holiday before I travel?
You will receive detailed joining instructions around 10 days prior to you departure, but you are of course welcome to contact us at any time should you have any queries.
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What facilities do your coaches have?
Generally, our coaches have reclining seats, air-conditioning and toilets, however this cannot always be guaranteed as sometimes we have to use smaller vehicles. Toilets are recommended for emergency use only and regular comfort stops will be made throughout your holiday while travelling around.
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Do I have to go on the included excursions?
Absolutely not. You are more than welcome to spend the day at your hotel or exploring independently should you wish. All we ask is that you inform your Tour Manager, so they are not left waiting for you to join the group.
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Is there time to relax?
Although our itineraries may seem jam-packed, boasting access to some of the most exclusive sites across the UK and beyond, a Brightwater Holiday is just that: a holiday. Each trip will counter in more than enough free-time for you to explore places at your own leisure. And with most nights and the majority of meals being included in our tour prices, you can relax in hand-picked accommodation.
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Do I need to be an expert?
Absolutely not! Although some of our tours are specifically focused on one thing, all you need to enjoy a Brightwater holiday is interest and bags of enthusiasm! Even on our most specialist tours, we take travellers from all skill levels, from experts to beginners.
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How fit or active do I need to be for one of your holidays?
You need to be able to get on and off the coach unassisted, and most – but not all – coaches have a kneel facility that lowers the front step for ease of boarding
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Do you have self-drive holidays?
Yes, we do – tailored to your exact requirements!
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What’s the luggage allowance on your coaches?
There’s no fixed limit, but we generally say one large suitcase to go in the luggage compartment and a smaller bag that you can take onto the coach with you. For flight-inclusive holidays, we include a luggage allowance of at least 20kg.
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Where are your departure points?
UK garden holidays generally depart from London, with additional pick-ups depending on the route of the coach, while holidays to Scotland depart from Glasgow, Edinburgh and Perth, with Dundee, Inverness and Aberdeen sometimes included. All Eurostar holidays depart from London St. Pancras and flight-inclusive holidays depart from one or more of the main London airports, with regional flights .
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What about the company that will be kept?
For single travellers, those with a companion or even those travelling in a larger group, you'll find that the signature of any Brightwater Holiday is the company. You won't ever be travelling with a group of strangers, instead, you'll find yourself surrounded by like-minded people with a strong shared interest who will soon become your firm friends.
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What is a Brightwater Holiday?
Bursting with enthralling, educational and enlightening itineraries, a Brightwater Holiday, by its very nature, is packed with bucket-list-worthy destinations, behind the scenes passes and expert-led experiences. From creating bespoke quality garden and special interest tours for groups and individuals alike, we have made it our business to make our guests' travel dreams come true.
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Why is there a single supplement?
Unfortunately, single room supplements are charges that are often imposed on us as a company when we book rooms for group holidays. However, most hotels do charge less for single occupancy, and we always pass this saving on to our solo travellers in the form of a modest single supplement.
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How much are your optional excursions?
Prices start from as little as £20, but please contact our friendly team for questions about specific itineraries or excursions.
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Can I pre-book my coach seats?
Yes, you can. In the case of front seats, guests with limited mobility are given priority. Please get in touch with our friendly team to discuss any requirements you may have.
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How to get there? Easy!
With a Brightwater Holiday, the journey is just as important as the destination and we make getting you to your tour start point easy. From organising group flights and individual travel plans, to offering accessible local departure and pick-up points, we go out of our way to ensure that your journey is as convenient and hassle-free as it can be.
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Do I need to have travel insurance?
Travel insurance is required for all overseas holidays and is also strongly recommended for UK holidays – primarily to protect yourself against cancellation charges should you be unable to travel.
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May 12, 2025 - May 19, 2025Book with Confidence
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Brightwater Holidays allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform brightwater holidays, 25 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Brightwater Holidays requires a minimum deposit of 15% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of brightwater holidays charges.
At 40 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 7 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.