Lord of the Glens

The 1985-built MV Lord of the Glens cruise ship was constructed in Greece and initially named "MS Victoria" (until September 1999). Between 1999-2000, the vessel was named "Victoria 2". Neither the boat nor the voyage is appropriate for young kids. Most passengers are between 45-65 years old and cruising to enjoy the refined onboard atmosphere and gourmet dining, to learn about the history of visited regions, and don't mind dressing up for the Captain's Dinner.

History - construction and ownership

Due to her shallow draft (12 ft / 3,7 m), the 50-passenger ship Lord of the Glens is a yacht-like vessel able to navigate in destinations inaccessible to larger boats. Still, the ship comfortably accommodates up to 54 passengers (max capacity) in 27 staterooms. The adventure travel experience can be compared to a private yacht voyage. MV Lord of the Glens is ideal for explorations of rarely-seen remote coastal destinations.

Due to the ship's small width (34 ft / 10 m) and navigation's meandering nature, the vessel is equipped with dual propulsion with bow thrusters. This allows it to be controlled not only from the Navigation Bridge but from its side-wings as well. This allows the Captain to easily maneuver it into very tight locks. The whole cruise ship is air-conditioned and heated.

Until 2020, Lord of the Glens was owned by the UK-based Magna Carta Steamship Company Ltd. In August 2020, the vessel was purchased by HP Shipping Ltd (shipowner that also owns Hebridean Princess) and chartered to Hebridean Island Cruises (HP Shipping-owned subsidiary and travel brand) with headquarters in Skipton (Yorkshire England).

The vessel is also operated (under charter) by Lindblad Expeditions in cooperation with the National Geographic Society (aka NatGeo - a US non-profit institution for science and education).

Decks and Cabins

The Lindblad-chartered Lord of the Glens ship has 4 passenger decks (3 with cabins) and a total of 27 staterooms. All cabins are outside (with windows). Cabin grades number is 4, including 2x categories with an opening Picture Window (decks 2-3) and 2x categories with two non-opening Porthole Windows (decks 1-2, "State Cabins").

All staterooms are cosy, well-appointed and similar-sized (13 m2 / 135 ft2 each). Scottish Highland-themed artworks and mahogany furnishings dominate the cabin interiors. As standard (complimentary) amenities are provided en-suite bathroom (WC-toilet, shower, washbasin, lighted mirror, hairdryer, bathrobes), flat TV (satellite reception), audio/media system, individual air-conditioning (controlled heating), lounge area (mirrored dressing table / writing desk with chair), double bed (or 2x single beds), wardrobe, electronic safe box (in the closet), intercom (internal phone, onboard use only), wall-mounted lights.

Excluding the 25 cabins on deck 2 (David Roberts Deck), all other staterooms are fitted with a double bed convertible to twins (2x single beds). The mentioned ROBERTS DECK's cabins are with a non-convertible double bed (Queen-sized). State Cabins are with single beds non-convertible to double as in between is positioned the dressing table.

Shipboard facilities and amenities

Nat Geo Lord of the Glens has one Main Dining Room with unassigned tables. The restaurant offers international cuisine inspired by ports of call. All meals are served single seating. Fine China, French crystal and silver utensils are utilized in the dining room.

Shipboard public areas include dining room restaurant; observation deck; library; two bar lounges (each with a full-service bar and media equipment); Sundeck (outdoor seating area with tables and chairs). The ship's ambience is that of a houseboat (also similar to a country manor-house) featuring overstuffed furnishings and quality wood furniture in public spaces, mahogany in all staterooms, quality teak wood on open decks ("terraces").

Itineraries

Lindblad's Lord of the Glens itinerary program was based on the loch and canal cruises in Scotland. The itineraries were one-ways with departures from homeports Inverness and Kyle of Lochalsh. The Scottish itinerary's destinations included Caledonian Canal and mainland Scotland’s western coast.

The following table shows an exemplary 7-night / 8-day Scotland itinerary (Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh) as ports of call and port sequence.

Lindblad Nat-Geo prices started from ~USD 8740 per cabin.

Starting operations for Hebridean Island Cruises in April 2021, Lord of the Glens offers 5- to 7-night itineraries between Inverness and Kyle of Lochalsh with visits to Oban and Loch Ness Lake and connecting Scotland's east and west coasts.