SCOTLAND


T


he sands are pearly white and deserted, with the footprints I leave as I amble


toward the gently lapping waves the only sign of life on this secluded stretch of shoreline. While such a blissful image might conjure scenes of the Caribbean or Indian Ocean, I couldn’t be farther from the tropics. This is the isle of Canna, a small speck off Scotland’s west coast, with isolated coves, rolling hills peppered with grazing sheep and a population of just 13 permanent residents. As we wander from one end of the tiny islet to the other, admiring the rugged cliffs looming in one direction and keeping a watchful eye out for otters playing in the shallows in the other, I feel a million miles away from the hustle and bustle of home. In fact, I feel a million miles away from pretty much anywhere.


Design details


Our visit to Canna is just one of the shore excursions offered as part of a sailing on


board Hebridean Island Cruises’ Hebridean Princess, whose itineraries often feature visits to some of Scotland’s lesser-visited gems. But on board, it doesn’t take long for me


to realise that the itinerary is actually not of huge importance for passengers. Hebridean


I feel a million miles from the hustle and bustle of home. In fact, I feel a million miles away from pretty much anywhere


`


Princess’s customers tend not to fuss too much about where they’re stopping – our picturesque walks ashore and visits to Eilean Donan Castle and Inverewe Garden are a much-appreciated bonus but, really, it’s all about the ship. The design of the vessel is undeniably traditional, and stepping on board feels like entering a time capsule. There’s a Vl>ÃÃiV in}linook wÀi«l>Vi in Ìhi Tiree Lounge, oil paintings hanging from the walls, and tartan everywhere, from the armchairs in each of the 28 cabins to the drapes in the Columba Restaurant. The eatery, which is


where all meals are taken, is also traditional in its format – guests are assigned a table for the duration of their sailing, with couples typically dining together, and solo travellers and groups of friends seated at larger Ì>Llià hoÃÌi` LÞ oni ov Ìhi Ãhi«½Ã ovwViÀð Meal times are often followed by a nightcap in the quaint Tiree Lounge, where there’s a cosy set-up of sofas and armchairs positioned >ÀoÕn` Ìhi wÀi«l>Vi] >à Üill >à >n inÌim>Ìi bar. This is the ship’s social hub and where guests gather for afternoon tea, port talks and pre-dinner cocktails, as well as simply to while away time as we sail, socialising and sharing stories from the day’s events.


ª


OPPOSITE: FIRST ROW: Inverewe Garden; shore excursion via beach landing SECOND ROW: Hebridean Princess’s Columba Restaurant; writer Isobel Turner; the ship’s Tiree Lounge THIRD ROW: Isle of Canna FOURTH ROW: Shieldaig; an Isle of Bute Cabin PREVIOUS PAGE: Eilean Donan Castle Credits: Shutterstock/TTstudio, Gaid Kornsilapa, iPlantsman, Serenity Images23


58 ASPIRE NOVEMBER 2024


aspiretravelclub.co.uk


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100  |  Page 101  |  Page 102  |  Page 103  |  Page 104  |  Page 105  |  Page 106  |  Page 107  |  Page 108  |  Page 109  |  Page 110  |  Page 111  |  Page 112  |  Page 113  |  Page 114  |  Page 115  |  Page 116  |  Page 117  |  Page 118  |  Page 119  |  Page 120  |  Page 121  |  Page 122  |  Page 123  |  Page 124  |  Page 125  |  Page 126  |  Page 127  |  Page 128  |  Page 129