Skye-high fares for a foodie treat

Food is, without doubt, one of the highlights of almost every cruise, and there are few ships which don’t strive to make mealtimes one of the highlights of the day. Now I discover that, not satisfied with the feasts from its own galley, Hebridean Cruises are planning a gastronomic tour of Skye which will feature meals at some of the island’s finest restaurants.
The five-night voyage on Hebridean Princess will bring a new culinary experience each day, including a visit to the Isle of Skye oyster farm at Loch Harport and a tasting session at the Talisker whisky distillery.
Lunches are lined up at the renowned Three Chimneys restaurant whose head chef, Michael Smith, is this week competing in the finals of BBC2’s Great British Menu competition; at Flodigarry House Hotel for a sumptuous seafood buffet; and at Skye’s only Michelin-starred restaurant at the Kinloch Lodge Hotel, whose chatelaine, Lady Claire Macdonald, will give a cookery demonstration.
Back on board, there will be talks by cookery writer Claire Bissell – a long way from her home in the West Country – and the ship’s chefs will be using locally-sourced ingredients for dinners which will have to match the treats on shore.
The cruise on board The Queen’s favourite ship – she has twice chartered it as a substitute Royal Yacht and may well do so again this year – sails from Oban on June 22 next year. Fares range from £3,030 to £6.970 per person.
Sounds like just the treat for me, but I don’t think my waistband or my wallet will stretch far enough.