Elite Traveler Spring 2019

Fingal EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND

In 1963, Fingal made her maiden voyage from Greenock to Oban, and continued to sail stormy seas to service and bring supplies to Scotland’s lighthouses. She is now a boutique hotel permanently docked at the Port of Leith in Edinburgh, but her history is honored through every little touch on board, from the hammered- brass ceilings that mimic rippling water to the 23 cabins that are each named after a different lighthouse that she serviced. STAY Fingal is available for exclusive use, and each cabin is wonderfully eccentric. The Skerryvore Suite (named for the tallest lighthouse in Scotland) is grand yet homey, with a large living space and dining room (check out the original log books and inventories from 1967 on the coffee table), large bedroom and en-suite bath. It has a private deck, so wrap up warmly and gaze at the stars. There’s a hidden door behind the bookcase that leads to the North Roland Suite—perfect if you’re visiting with staff or security. There are two luxury duplex cabins; the Ornsay has a dressing and living area on the first floor, and beyond a spiral staircase lies a deceptively large bedroomwith en suite and freestanding tub. The Rubha Nan Gall suite is better if you’re traveling with a lot of luggage as the living space is large, and the bedroom and en suite are on the lower floor. The en suite is darling and quirky with a wall of shimmering green mosaic, only interrupted by original portholes. Each cabin has a Scottish leather headboard depicting the location of the lighthouse it’s named after. The super-soft throws and cushions in every cabin were custommade by local

Clockwise The elegant ballroom; Ornsay suite bathroom; Fingal in the Port of Leith

designer Araminta Campbell (so local that you can stroll over to her studio from the ship), and tell the story of Fingal . The engine roomwill delight maritime buffs as the glass floors mean you can walk a different kind of plank and marvel at the original mechanics beneath your feet. DINE The Lighthouse Bar is on the upper deck; get up early and head there for morning coffee and a hearty breakfast as you watch the sun rise above the port — the floor-to-ceiling windows serve up uninterrupted views without the chill. It’s also a charming spot for a traditional afternoon tea of delicate pastries washed down with champagne. The elegant ballroom lies beneath a grand sweeping staircase and has a removable skylight; it can host up to 80 people for dinner. The menu is naturally Scottish; expect haggis, neeps and tatties (turnips and potatoes) accompanied by a warming wee dram of whisky.

EXPLORE Fingal was the sister ship to the Royal Yacht Britannia , so a tour of Queen Elizabeth II’s beloved home-at-sea is a must. A quick transfer (or a bracing walk) away, board the imposing vessel for a private tour of where the royal family vacationed for 40 years, and sailed over one million miles around the world. All clocks on board are set to 3:01pm and the newspapers are from December 11, 1997 to commemorate the time and date that the queen left the ship when it was decommissioned. On the private tour, you’ll see the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh’s cabins, as well as the ‘honeymoon suite’ where many a royal spent their honeymoon, including the Charles, Prince of Wales, and Diana, Princess of Wales. Exclusive use from$13,675 per night. Contact KirstyMcKee, guest relations dutymanager, reservations@fingal.co.uk, +44 131 357 5000, fingal.co.uk