Please note, this trip is a replacement for a postponed 2020 trip and was first offered to previously booked guests and therefore has limited availability.
We invite you to join Brand g Vacations for an LGBT+, inclusive, guaranteed full ship charter, exploring Scotland’s Royal Majesty.
This tour offers a fascinating insight into Scotland’s history and its Royal connections past and present with unparalleled access to the former and current homes of the Her Majesty The Queen and Her Majesty The Queen Mother. Following two nights in Inverness, enjoy a breathtaking 7-day luxury cruise from Kyle of Lochalsh to Inverness on board the Lord of the Glens. See Scotland’s famous scenery and visit the islands of Eigg, Iona and Skye as well as the towns of Tobermory, Fort William and Laggan and sail on famous Loch Ness. Following the cruise, our exploration continues with three nights in Edinburgh. Here we tour Edinburgh castle, Holyrood Palace while taking in the famous Scottish atmosphere and culture. Our last night ends with a Royal Invitation to a luxury State farewell dinner onboard the Royal Yacht Britannia.
Luxury Level: ***** Five Star Activity Level: Low to Moderate
Glenmoriston Townhouse Hotel
As luxury hotels go, the 4-star Glenmoriston Townhouse Hotel is one of the most respected in Inverness. Set on the tree-lined, bank of the River Ness with stunning views. Its position is walking distance to the centre of Inverness, and within easy travelling distance of Loch Ness, the Isle of Skye, Culloden Battlefield and many other attractions in the Scottish Highlands.
This boutique hotel has 30 bedrooms all for the sole use of Brand g guests who will have access to the award-winning Contrast Brasserie Restaurant, the Piano Bar with live music on weekends and the Whiskey Bar serving up over 260 malt whiskies and 50 gins. Dates of stay: June 25-27
Hotel Amenities:
- Award Winning “Contrast” Restaurant
- Complimentary Wi-Fi throughout hotel
- Live music Piano Bar
- Whiskey Bar
- Laundry Services
Room Amenities:
- Large comfortable beds
- Luxury en-suite bathrooms
- Complimentary Wi-Fi and Smart televisions
- Hairdryer, Iron and ironing board
- Complimentary Slippers and Bath Robe
- In room dining
- Tea and coffee making facilities
Hotels remain subject to change for operational reasons
Lord of Glens
Scotland’s highlands and coastline are both exceptionally beautiful but seeing them both on one cruise is impossible for most cruise ships – but not the nimble Lord of the Glens.
Lord of the Glens a luxury expedition vessels featured in the Lindblad and National Geographic portfolios. At just 150 feet, this elegant vessel can squeeze through the Caledonian Canal linking the North Sea to the Atlantic, but her design as a seafaring yacht means she can sail through the Atlantic with aplomb too. It’s all done in grand style, the locks and Lochs, the starkly beautiful islands of the Inner Hebrides all viewed from the comforts of a ship that feels like a small stately home. Lord of the Glens features polished wood, teak decks, sumptuous fabrics and upholstery contribute to the cosy feel as much as the intimate size – there are just 27 mainly twin-bedded cabins, all well-appointed accommodating 54 guests.
The open top deck, with tables and chairs is a wonderful place to watch the glorious Scottish country and seascapes slip past; while the lounge and bar on board Lord of the Glens provide all the warmth and welcome of a good country house hotel.
Dining on board Lord of the Glens is a treat – the restaurant is an elegant room, with fine views without, sparkling crystal and fine china within. The meals are exceptional too. A full Scottish breakfast welcomes the day, and local ingredients sourced en- route are the basis of hearty lunches and dinners. Dinner is served at a single seating, with some tables for odd numbers to allow for easy mingling. Dates of Stay: June 27 – July 5
Number of cabins: 27
Capacity: 54 passengers
Hilton Edinburgh Carlton
Blending perfectly into the historic surroundings of the Royal Mile, Hilton Edinburgh Carlton is an iconic element of the city. The building dates back to 1900s and is part of the impressive North Bridge which links Edinburgh’s Old and New town together, giving you easy access to countless shopping, dining and entertainment. Once one of Edinburgh’s top department stores, the building was fully refurbished in 2016 to bring the décor back to its stylish best. Dates of Stay: July 6-7
Hotel Amenities:
- Complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the hotel
- Concierge Services and Luggage storage services
- Complimentary business services
- Gym facilities
- Lounge, Bar and Restaurant
- Laundry and dry-cleaning service (additional charge)
Room Amenities:
- 40” Smart TV
- Tea and coffee making service
- Hairdryer
- Room Service
- Complimentary Toiletries
- Wake Up service
- In-room safe
- Air Conditioning
- Ergonomic Desk Chair and work desk
- Hilton Serenity Bed
Morning Excursion – Stirling Castle
July 6th
$95 pp
This morning you have three choices. Join us for a morning tour of Rosslyn or Stirling Castle or enjoy the morning at leisure:
Stirling Castle, ( 1 hr drive from Edinburgh by coach), is one of the largest and most important castles in Scotland, both historically and architecturally. The castle sits atop Castle Hill, an intrusive crag, which forms part of the Stirling Sill geological formation. It is surrounded on three sides by steep cliffs, giving it a strong defensive position. Its strategic location, guarding what was, until the 1890s, the farthest downstream crossing of the River Forth, has made it an important fortification in the region from the earliest times.
Departs Edinburgh – appx 5 hrs
Moderate Difficulty: some walking on uneven surfaces and stairs.
Morning Excursion – Rosslyn Chapel
July 6th
$95 pp
This morning you have three choices. Join us for a morning tour of Rosslyn or Stirling Castle or enjoy the morning at leisure:
Rosslyn castle made famous in The Davinci Code ( 30 Minute drive from Edinburgh by coach) and formerly known as the Collegiate Chapel of St Matthew, is a 15th-century chapel located in the village of Rosslyn, Midlothian, Scotland. Rosslyn Chapel was founded on a small hill above Rosslyn Glen as a Catholic collegiate church in the mid-15th century. The chapel was founded by William Sinclair, 1st Earl of Caithness of the Scoto-Norman Sinclair family. Rosslyn Chapel is the third Sinclair place of worship at Rosslyn, the first being in Rosslyn Castle and the second in what is now Rosslyn Cemetery.
Departs Edinburgh – appx 3.5 hrs
Moderate Difficulty: some walking on uneven surfaces and stairs.
Highlights
- See Balmoral, Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth’s Scottish home set in the heart of Scotland
- Enjoy Loch Ness and search for the world-famous Loch Ness Monster “Nessie” and take in the romantic ruins of Urquhart Castle
- Visit to Macbeths Cawdor castle and Culloden where “Bonnie” Prince Charlie’s Jacobite forces were defeated in 1746
- Take the West Highland railway line over the renowned viaduct to beautiful Glenfinnan, made famous in the Harry Potter films
- Sail Neptune’s Staircase in the shadow of Ben Nevis, Great Britain’s highest mountain
- Visit Eigg where you can get a sense of what life is like for the roughly 90 people who live on this island community
- Tour Glamis Castle, former home of HM The Queen Mother and enjoy a private tea in the kitchen
- Visit Holyrood Palace, HM The Queen’s formal home in Edinburgh and view the Queen’s gallery
- Enjoy a guided tour of the Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle
- Explore the Royal Yacht Britannia and enjoy a Luxury State Dinner
Inclusions
- Guaranteed all-LGBT+ charter
- 2 nights pre cruise hotel accommodation in Inverness including breakfast
- Welcome reception in Inverness
- Traditional Highland Dinner in Inverness with local entertainment
- 7 nights deluxe cruise accommodation
- Free flowing house wine, spirits, local beer and soft drinks throughout cruise
- Gourmet dining with all meals included during your cruise
- Complimentary shore excursions offered daily
- Hosted receptions throughout the cruise
- Lunch at HM The Queen Mother’s former home Glamis Castle
- Three nights deluxe accommodation in The Hilton Carlton Edinburgh
- Exclusive lunch on the Royal Mile, Edinburgh
- Optional tours of Stirling Castle or Roslin Chapel
- Formal state dining on the Royal Yacht Britannia, HM The Queen’s former floating home
- Airport transfers in Inverness (IVN) and Edinburgh (EDI)
Welcome to Scotland. Our guides will meet you at the airport to assist with your transfer to the Glenmoriston Town House Hotel Inverness conveniently located close to the town center in easy walking distance to local amenities. After settling in to the hotel, enjoy the remainder of your day exploring Inverness. Join us in the evening for a welcome reception and buffet.
After a leisurely breakfast enjoy a morning briefing from your hosts. Your morning will take you by bus to HM, The Queen’s Scottish home, Balmoral for an insight into Royal life in a palace. You will have a private lunch in HRH, Prince Charles Restaurant Rothesay Arms where you can also shop for luxury gifts Duchy Highgrove shop.
In the evening enjoy a private hosted Scottish themed welcome dinner with local entertainment in the Glenmorriston Town House Hotel.
After Breakfast depart from Inverness for a 2.5-hour scenic drive through the beautiful West of Scotland to Kyle of Lochalsh to board the Lord of The Glens to begin your luxury 7-night voyage. Enjoy a welcome reception and dinner. Moor Kyle of Lochalsh overnight
Morning visit to Eileen Donan Castle and the picturesque village of Plockton. Sail via Kyle Rhea and the Sound of Sleat to Armadale on the Isle of Skye. Later see the Clan Donald Centre and Gardens before sailing to the small village of Inverie on Loch Nevis. Moor Inverie overnight.
Early morning sail to the tiny island of Eigg, where you get a sense of what life is like for the roughly 90 people who live on this island community. After exploring the Island later sail around Ardnamurchan Point the most westerly point of mainland Britain into the Sound of Mull to arrive at Tobermory on the Isle of Mull. Tobermory’s most striking feature is the gaily painted houses that line the waterfront originally built by the British Fisheries Company to house its workers for £20 pound each. Moor Mull overnight
Morning sail to Craignure, again on the Isle of Mull, for the visit to the Isle of Iona the last resting place of some 50 Scottish Kings and where St Columba introduced Christianity to Britain. Return to the vessel at Craignure and sail across to Oban – the seafood capital of Scotland – with a pause in front of Duart Castle for photographs. Moor Oban overnight.
Sail via the Sound of Mull and Loch Linnhe to Corpach and the entrance to the Caledonian Canal. Later ascend Neptune’s Staircase a flight of eight inter-connected locks that lifts the vessel 103 feet to Banavie. Afternoon visit to Glenfinnan. Moor Banavie overnight.
Sail in the morning along the Caledonian Canal via Loch Lochy, Laggan Avenue and Loch Oich to Fort Augustus. Moor Fort Augustus overnight.
Sail in the morning across Loch Ness pausing approximately half-way in front of Urquhart Castle for photos. Later cross Loch Dochfour and arrive at Inverness. Afternoon visit to Culloden Battlefield and Clava Cairns. Evening reception and dinner. Moor Inverness overnight.
Disembark in Inverness after breakfast and board your luxury bus to Edinburgh. En- route you will experience stunning scenery and exceptional wildlife. We will stop for a short break in Aviemore before continuing to Glamis Castle, former home of HHR The Queen Mother. Here we dive into the splendor of the life of a Queen and experience a lunch fit for a Queen before setting off for our luxury Hotel in Edinburgh. After checking in and settling into your luxury room, enjoy some free time to explore the city or relax.
After breakfast, enjoy the morning exploring Scotland’s Historic Capital City of Edinburgh. Join our expert tour guides for a tour of Holyrood Palace, HM The Queen’s formal Scottish home and The Queen’s Gallery. Enjoy a traditional Scottish lunch just off the Royal Mile followed by a guided tour of the Royal Mile and the historic cobbled streets with entrance to Edinburgh castle. Enjoy an evening on your own.
Enjoy a free morning to explore Edinburgh on your own or choose one of our two optional tours – Roslin Chapel (made famous in the Da Vinci Code) tour or the historic Stirling Castle. In the afternoon be fitted for your kilt or pick up your highland sash before we set of for a luxurious tour and farewell experience on board the Royal Yacht Britannia, HM The Queens former floating home. Follow in the footsteps of Kings, Queens, Prime Ministers and Presidents as you board one of the most famous ships in the world . You will find the same high standards today as when The Royal Yacht Britannia was in Royal service.
During your tour of Britannia, you will receive a unique insight into life aboard in days gone by. Following the tour, join your fellow guests in the State Drawing Room for a glass or two of chilled champagne and a selection of irresistible canapés. You are then invited into the State Dining Room, where world leaders and celebrities were entertained, from Frank Sinatra and Ursula Andress to Presidents Mandela and Clinton. The finest crystal, gleaming cutlery, fresh flowers, and personalized menus embossed with Britannia’s unmistakable gold crest await you. Dine on the finest food and wines fit for Royalty.
Following breakfast, an included transfer will take you to the airport or train station for your trip home or onward destination. Hotel check-out is at 11:00am this morning.
All itineraries are dependent on weather and tide, and as such are subject to change.
You can check full pricing Here
Please feel free to contact us and we can help you book your vacation. Brand G Vacations also has a new reservation system allowing you to easily book your own trip. You can view pricing, pick your category and even select your own cabin or room when available. You can do this and still remain our client and it doesn’t cost a penny more.
By allowing Concierge Travel to remain your agency of choice, you are making a difference in the community. For example with our profits from the last four years, we have been able to expand our partnership with the Montrose Center in Houston and help create an annual event that has raised over $1,000,000.00 for the community. This has helped to create an LGBTQ Affirming Affordable Senior Living Center and has expanded their outreach to the LGBTQ Homeless Youth. In the last 3 years, thanks to this event, they have been able to triple the number of youth they support and place in their rapid rehousing program.
If you do book directly on their site, please follow up with us so we can assure your booking stays with Concierge Travel.
SAVE $500 PER PERSON IF BOOKED PRIOR TO MAY 31, 2021
