Nicholas has had a life-long interest in antiques and during his career has been a valuer for the auctioneers, Sotheby's and Phillips, and a cataloguer of furniture, silver, plate, books and porcelain. He now lectures extensively for the National Association of Decorative and Fine Arts Society (NADFAS), both in the UK and overseas, and has his own travel company. His particular interest is in country houses and their collections.
Jim Gardiner is the Chief Curator of the Royal Horticultural Society's Gardens and has been based at Wisley for over twenty years. Before that he was Curator at the Hillier Gardens and Arboretum. His primary interest is in woody plants, in particular Magnolias on which he has written two books, 'Magnolias, their Care and Cultivation' and 'Magnolias, A Gardener's Guide'.
Mike Everett worked for 39 years for RSPB in various aspects of practical conservation ornithology. Widely travelled in Europe and Middle East, also Kenya, Sierra Leone, USA and Canada, and of course the UK. Author of several bird books; regular contributor of papers, notes and general articles to various journals and other publication. Has also lectured widely (including overseas) as a guest lecturer (and ‘Ship’s Ornithologist’) on Swan Hellenic cruises since 1984 and led or co-led various bird watching tours in UK, Europe and Egypt.
Professor Ian Beckett is Visiting Professor of Military History at the University of Kent. He was Professor of Modern History and Head of the School of Literature and History at the University of Luton before becoming Major General Matthew C Horner Distinguished Professor of Military Theory at the US Marine Corps University, Quantico, Virginia. He was Professor of History at the University of Northampton from 2005 until February 2009 when he joined the University of Kent. He has led Battlefield Tours to South Africa, lectured on Swan Hellenic and Hebridean cruises.
An authority on the photography of Scotland during the 19th century, Mark Butterworth gives regular presentations with an original Victorian magic lantern projector and slides. His collection of slides by the George Washington Wilson Company of Aberdeen is one of the largest in private hands. Mark, also carries out continuing research to understand how popular astronomy was presented to the general public in the 18th and 19th centuries, especially with the magic lantern, and uses examples from his collection of astronomical lantern slides to recreate 19th century popular astronomy lectures.
Sir John read history at Cambridge, served as an officer in the Cameronians in the Malayan jungle and, during a career in the diplomatic service, acted as British Ambassador to Cuba, Brazil and Sweden. His family come from Glen Ure in Argyll, and he has strong connections with the Western Highlands and Islands. He is the author of more than a dozen historical and travel books, including ‘A Bird on the Wing’, retracing Bonnie Prince Charlie’s five-month flight from Culloden. He is currently a contributor to ‘Country Life’ and an experienced guest lecturer on cruises and overland explorations.
Author, broadcaster and TV presenter, Frances Bissell has been described as ‘simply one of our best writers on food and cooking’. Her latest book, her 15th, ‘The Scented Kitchen’, was published to critical acclaim, hailed by Raymond Blanc as ‘enchanting’, by Marina Warner as ‘poetic and seductive’ and by Sir Roy Strong as ‘full of good things’. She has been guest chef in some of the world’s leading hotels and restaurants, as well as British Embassies in Europe and elsewhere. Frances is much in demand as a lecturer, teacher, judge and consultant and is probably the most widely travelled of her generation of chefs and food writers.
Professor Martin has taught British literature in America and England for his entire career. He has published acclaimed biographies of James Boswell (‘A Life of James Boswell’, 2000), and, more recently, of Samuel Johnson (‘Samuel Johnson: A Biography’ 2008). Other publications include ‘The Essential Boswell’ (Editor, 2003) and ‘Samuel Johnson: Selected Writings’ (Editor, 2009) as well as a number of biographical and British and American garden works. Peter has led American university students on several occasions through the Inner Hebrides in the footsteps of Boswell and Johnson’s now legendary tour through the Western Isles in 1773.
Dr Colleen Batey is Senior Lecturer in Archaeology at the University of Glasgow with extensive experience of both excavation and publication in the arena of Viking and late norse culture in the North Atlantic and Scotland. A graduate of the University of Durham, she has held lectureships in the University of Leeds and University College London before taking up the post of Curator of Archaeology at Glasgow Museums. More recently, Colleen has held the post of Finds Research Manager for the Archaeological Institute of Iceland. She has lectured and travelled widely in the British Isles, Scandinavia and the Baltic as well as North America, as both expedition staff and guest lecturer.
Rita has a large fund of knowledge on the history of the Western Isles and regularly contributes to the content of our itineraries.
John has been sharing his love of the Scottish islands with Hebridean Princess’ guests since 1994, and is a member of the Mountain Bothies Association as well as a radio journalist.
Andrea is interested in the history, myth and legend of Scotland, and her knowledge reveals many of the lesser-known details of our destinations.
Footloose guide Pat is an experienced mountaineer, walker and ornithologist. Pat has carried out research for a number of our itineraries.
Anne has a special interest in the architectural heritage and history of Scotland. Having read history at Aberdeen, she enjoys sharing her knowledge with Hebridean Princess’ guests.
Ted is a Footloose walking guide and researcher with interests in history, folklore and local knowledge, shared in entertaining talks.
For all things Scottish, past and present, its people and regions, Marilyn enthusiastically provides added insight and her own personal touch.
Hugh is a keen hill walker with experience of walking the Scottish mountains. He accompanies some of our Footloose cruises and knows the Western Highlands well.
The history and culture of the islands are a constant fascination for Ralph, who has a particular fondness for Skye and walking in the Highlands and Islands.
Wisley trained and experienced in parks, gardens and horticultural education. Formerly Head of Horticulture at Plumpton College, David currently runs a Garden Advisory Service and Horticultural Consultancy.
Professor Roger Knight spent most of his career in the National Maritime Museum. Since then he has been Professor of Naval History at the Greenwich Maritime Institute.
Professor of history at the University of Exeter, Jeremy has lectured extensively throughout the world. A past Council member of the Royal Historical Society, he was appointed to the Order of Membership of the British Empire for services to stamp design. His acclaimed books include ‘War and World 1450 – 2000’, ‘The British Seaborne Empire’, ‘George III’ and ‘European Warfare in Global Context 1660 – 1815’.
Lady Shaw Stewart DL is the resident owner of Ardgowan House, and is an authority on historic interiors and social history.
Dr Anderson, author, broadcaster, international speaker and exhibition curator, was a senior lecturer in the History of Art at Southampton Solent University for 14 years, specialising in the Arts and Crafts, Art Nouveau and Modernism; she currently teaches at Kingston University. In 2010 Anne worked on the reopening exhibition, Closer to Home, at Leighton House Museum. Anne’s career as an international NADFAS speaker has taken her all over the world, including Spain, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the USA. She has lectured on Swan Hellenic’s Minerva II and Saga’s Spirit of Adventure. Her television credits include BBC’s Flog It!
Eveline studied art-history in London, first at the Study Centre for Fine and Decorative Arts (linked to the V&A where Patricia Fay had the idea to found NADFAS) and then at the Courtauld Institute where she received a BA Honours Degree. Following this she became a NADFAS lecturer. She now lecturers freelance in Fine Arts and is an established tour guide in Continental Europe, USA, South Africa and Australia.
Stefan Buczacki’s name has been a byword for the most trusted horticultural advice for well over 20 years.
Martin is an author, journalist and politician and was appointed UNICEF Ambassador for Humanitarian Emergencies in 2001.
Artist, author and humorist, Graham is one of Britain's most popular and best-selling printmakers.
James Naughtie is a lead presenter on the Today programme and host of Radio 4’s Book Club.
Formerly lecturing in petrology, planetary geology and volcanology at the Universities of Wales and Sheffield, for many years Peter was a Principal Investigator with NASA's Planetary Geology and Geophysics Program
With a love of Scottish literature and the history of the Highlands and Islands, Sue is a fount of local knowledge on our regular strolls in town and country.
