Princess of the Scottish seas

Vivien Devlin finds that a life on the ocean wave improves dramatically when you're on a small but perfectly formed luxury liner

It's a balmy June evening as the Hebridean Princess makes steady progress up the Sound of Jura, the sea calm and shimmering in the amber summer sunlight.

A flock of Little Tern skim swiftly over the water, undisturbed by the buzz of conversation and clink of glasses as a few dozen passengers sip cocktails on the sundeck. We are returning from the ‘Islands at the Edge of the Sea,' the old Norse name for the Hebrides, towards the end of a Scottish Temptations cruise.

This is island hopping in style. The Princess combines traditional country house living with the leisurely ambience of an ocean cruise ship, but in miniature.

She has just 30 single and double cabins with every comfort – satellite television and video player, mini-bars, quality bedlinen, soft towels, bathrobes and twice-daily maid service. For extra luxury, reserve a cabin with private balcony or the Isle of Arran suite.

The Tiree Lounge with panoramic views is where guests gather for afternoon tea and drinks from the bar. Elsewhere, relax in a quiet corner of the conservatory, library or sundeck.

These are voyages for discerning travellers who appreciate the extraordinary beauty of Scotland's natural wild landscape, deserted sandy beaches, lochs and craggy mountain peaks.

Our cruise began in Oban, ‘Gateway to the Isles,' later mooring for a peaceful night at anchor near the pretty village of Tobermory, Isle of Mull.

A breakfast banquet sets you up for an active day ahead: fresh fruit, cereal, porridge...

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• By : Vivien Devlin
• In : Best of Scotland
• Issue : 23
• Page : 44
• Words : 814