BARCELONA, Monaco -Wick.

The World, as it’s aptly called, is the largest privately-owned yacht on earth; home to an elite group of multi-millionaires who take up residence on board as it plies its way around the globe.

And next week it will add Wick to its list of illustrious destinations on its 2011 itinerary, which will see it visit 53 countries.

It is not The World’s debut visit to Scotland -- it has previously called at Edinburgh and sailed up the west coast -- but it is the first time the yacht, and all the passengers from its 165 apartments, will berth at Wick as it travels en route from the Scottish capital to Norway.

The World was launched in 2002 and, since then, has continuously circumnavigated the globe with its well-to-do residents -- each of whom own their own apartment on board and, collectively, own the yacht itself.

While anchored off the coast from Wick, passengers will stay at the nearby Ackergill Tower and will visit Castle of Mey, the Old Pulteney distillery and experience a Highland games.

It is all being arranged by Mike Clare, 56, who is a resident on board The World and owner of Ackergill Tower, which is run by his companies Amazing Retreats.

Mr Clare -- who founded the bed retailer Dreams and is worth a reputed £200 million -- and his half-Scottish wife Carol spend three months each year on the yacht.

But the couple will now play host to their fellow seafarers -- including the “lifers” (residents who live year-round on the yacht) -- at Ackergill Tower.

The exclusive venue is more often used for corporate hospitality events, as a film location or as a getaway for the likes of Prince Charles, Billy Connolly and Helen Mirren, who had her wedding reception there.

Mr Clare said: “In between big ports, we have something called a ‘Captain’s choice’ -- usually a very small port or island that we stop at for one or two days.

“We considered going to the Shetland Islands, which I knew was close to Wick, so I said, ‘Why don’t you come to Wick?’

“The yacht has never been there and the Americans on board love Scotland, so we’re going to host an imperial dinner and Highland games. We’re looking forward to hosting them.”

Ports are customarily decided “democratically”, Mr Clare revealed, via on-board committees. And as the yacht travels the world, residents can come and go to locations as they please.

To gain a place on board new residents have to be sponsored by at least two existing co-owners, as well as meeting requirements based on net worth, before being granted permission to purchase living space on board.

Mr Clare and his wife have been residents for three years now. He said: “We’d read and heard about it and, then when it came to Greenwich, we said we’d like to have a look as we were interested in becoming residents. We loved the concept and the idea and the whole thing.”

Apartments can be customised to the owners’ preference and include kitchens and spacious bathrooms.

Mr Clare said: “Instead of having a villa in the south of France or the Caribbean, it is like having one that moves around the world and stops at different places.”

After Wick, The World sails to Oslo, in Norway, where Mr Clare and his wife plan to depart. From there, the ship will carry on to St Petersburg in Russia.