Embark the MS Serenissima this afternoon in Oban. Transfers will be provided from Glasgow Central Railway Station and Glasgow International Airport at a fixed time. Enjoy welcome drinks and dinner as we sail this evening.

This morning we hope to drop anchor off the south side of Staffa where the perpendicular rock face features an imposing series of black basalt columns, known as the Colonnade, which have been cut by the sea into cathedralesque caverns, most notably Fingal’s Cave. Weather permitting, we will use our Zodiacs to explore closer. A short cruise brings us to the Sound of Iona. For more than 1000 years the island of Iona has been a place of deep spiritual significance and no less than 62 Kings of Scotland are buried here. St Columba came here from Ireland in 563 AD and early Christianity spread through northern Britain from this remote island community. Iona's oldest surviving building, St Oran's Chapel, dates to the mid-12th century and may have been built by Somerled or his family. After exploring the Abbey, time permitting, you may like to join the expedition team and take a walk on the wild side to the ‘Bay at the Back of the Ocean’ and soak up the atmosphere of this enigmatic isle.

We approach the Isle of Skye and land by Zodiac to visit the Clan Donald Centre, a 20,000 acre Highland estate which includes the ruins of Armadale Castle and the Museum of the Isles which showcases 1500 years of history and culture of the area. We will also visit the restored historical gardens and explore the beautiful walking trails through the 40 acres of woodland which surround the castle. Clan Donald traces direct lineage from Somerled and at their height of power claimed dominion over much of Argyll, The Hebrides and Isle of Man. Wielding great sea power with fleets of galleys or birlinns, they were the most powerful lords after the Kings of England and Scotland. Over lunch we sail to lovely Loch Scavaig. Just beyond is the freshwater Loch Corruisk with its breathtakingly beautiful view over the Cuillins. This is great walking country and our expedition team will run a series of hikes for all interests. For those who prefer a less energetic afternoon our Zodiacs will explore the coast looking out for seals.

Sail this morning into Loch Carron and anchor off the picturesque village of Plockton. Discover the delightful Attadale Gardens. Here we find over 2000 trees planted over 20 acres including a sunken garden, water garden and Japanese garden - all interspersed with sculptures. Alternatively visit the iconic Eilean Donan Castle. This defensive site, strategically placed at the confluence of three lochs played a pivotal role when the sea was the main highway and defended the lands against raiding Vikings or feuding clans. Later in history Eilean Donan came, once more, to prominence during the Jacobite uprisings of the 17th and 18th centuries. Enjoy a free afternoon and perhaps join the expedition team to explore the local area around Plockton on foot. Sail in the early evening and enjoy the coastal views.

We visit the mountainous Isle of Mull whose turbulent history is manifest in the chain of castles dotted along the coastline. This morning we travel to the south of the island and visit the formidable Duart Castle, standing guard over the sea routes and the ancient home of Clan MacLean. Alternatively spend the morning at leisure in Tobermory: walk amongst the colourful buildings, visit the town’s distillery or maybe take the coastal walk to the Rubha nan Gall lighthouse. This afternoon, we sail the short distance to Loch Sunart where we hope to offer a Zodiac cruise to spot seals and lookout for eagles. Amidst the rugged mountains of Ardnamurchan and Morvern, the sheltered lochs and waterways would once have given refuge to heavily laden galleys as they plied the waters between the isles.

We anchor in the sheltered waters of Loch Craignish to explore some of the sites of Argyll. There are more than 800 archaeological and historical monuments within a six mile radius of the village of Kilmartin. This extraordinary concentration and diversity of monuments distinguishes the Kilmartin Glen as an area of outstanding archaeological importance. It is one of Scotland’s richest prehistoric landscapes boasting superb standing stones, burial cairns, rock art, forts, duns and carved stones. Discover Kilmartin House Museum, an award winning, world-class centre for archaeology and landscape interpretation that makes an excellent starting point for a walk to the Glen where we see stone circles and cairns dating back to 3500 BC. We will also hope to see the prominent Dunadd Fort, former royal centre of the Gaelic Kingdom, Dal Riata, which reached its height of power in the 6th and 7th centuries. Alternatively, join the excursion to Crarae Garden, a Himalayan-style glen set in the gentle hills of Argyll. The garden was created in 1912 by Lady Grace Campbell, the aunt of intrepid plant hunter Reginald Farrer, who sourced trees and shrubs from China, Nepal and Tibet. Today, the sparkling waters of the Crarae Burn form the centrepiece for a woody paradise of rocky gorges, wooden bridges and thickets of maple, birch and evergreens, blending with sprays of flowers.

Disembark this morning on Islay, the southernmost island of the Inner Hebrides, oft referred to as the Queen of the Hebrides. Early Christians and Norse raiders all landed here to extend their lands. Somerled and his descendants, Clan McDonald, made their base here and Islay is often also referred to as the Cradle of Clan Donald. A drive will bring us to Finlaggan where installation of the Lords of the Isles took place. We will have time to explore the Visitor's Centre and walk across to the islands of Eilean Mor and Eilean na Comhairle where we can see some remains of this era.

Located in the middle of the Irish Sea, the Isle of Man’s rich history and culture finds its roots in the Gaelic, Norse and Scot kingdoms that dominated this region between the 5th and 14th centuries. Our morning excursion reveals Tynwald Hill, located in the little village of St John’s. This grass-topped, tiered hill is made from the soil and stones from each of the island’s 17 parishes and is the point from which, each 5th July, all the laws enacted in the year preceding are promulgated to the gathered government officials and the public at large, both in Manx and English languages. We continue to Castletown Station and board the vintage steam train for a delightful and traditional journey to Douglas. Dating from 1874, the Isle of Man Steam Railway is the island’s oldest Victorian rail system and this narrow gauge railway still runs with its original locomotives and carriages. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure, perhaps visit The House of Manannan, housed in Peel’s former railway station and named after the mythological sea god. Here exhibits cover Celtic, Viking and Maritime heritage of the Isle of Man which was also very much at the heart of the Kingdom of the Isles.

Disembark this morning. Transfers will be provided to Liverpool Lime Street Station and Manchester Airport at a fixed time.

Itineraries are subject to change.