Standard Classic Barge Cruise Itinerary – Scottish Highlands

Scottish Hotel Barge Scottish Highlander cruises on the Caledonian Canal through the magical Great Glen, stretching the east to the west coast of Scotland.

Their cruising grounds encompasses the area beween the historic city center of Inverness, regarded as the capital of the Highlands, and the historic town of Fort William. Everything about this cruise will leave you with everlasting memories of your hotel barging vacation.

Sunday, Day 1 : Muirtown

Guests are met at the designated meeting point in Inverness and transferred by private chauffeured minibus to Scottish Highlander. Champagne Welcome and if you wish, an early evening stroll to the sea lock with wonderful views over the Moray and Beauly Firths. Then perhaps savour one of the hotel barge’s many single malts before your first dinner on board.

Monday, Day 2 : Muirtown to Dochgarroch

Our cruise passes the Muirtown locks and Tomnahurich swing bridge, plus an optional River Ness walk to Dochgarroch.

After lunch on board, we enjoy a visit to Cawdor Castle, forever immortalised in Shakespeare’s “Scottish Play”, Macbeth. The picturesque gardens are listed among the top 100 in the UK. The castle contains a superb collection of tapestries, pictures and furnishings. It is still in use as a home for the Dowager Countess of Cawdor who resides there for several months of the year. Dinner on board.

Tuesday, Day 3 : Dochgarroch to Fort Augustus

This morning, we visit Culloden Moor, scene of 1746’s final British battle between Government troops and Bonnie Prince Charlie. If time allows, we take a tour of Clava Cairns, a pre-historic clan chieftain burial site dating back to 2,000 B.C. It was the setting for the Outlander TV series.

After lunch onboard, we cruise through Loch Dochfour and across Loch Ness, where en-route we pass Urquhart Castle. Scottish Highlander navigates close beneath its spectacular 13th century ruins, before continuing our cruise to Fort Augustus. Dinner on board.

Wednesday, Day 4 : Fort Augustus to Kytra

After breakfast, we visit the private Highland Club, a spectacular exclusive set of residences and a former 19th century Benedictine Monastery. Weather permitting, experts treat us to a falconry and birds of prey demonstration on the banks of Loch Ness. You will not forget the majesty of the swooping birds against the backdrop of the sweeping Scottish Highlands. There is time to explore the pretty village of Fort Augustus before lunch on board.

After lunch, our cruise takes us up “the flight”, as the locals call it, at Fort Augustus and then on to our pretty mooring at Cullochy. We will enjoy a tutored private whisky tasting this evening at the charming The Glenmoriston Arms Hotel, followed by dinner in their hotel restaurant.

Thursday, Day 5 : Kytra to Laggan

We can partially walk this morning’s cruise as we cross the very scenic Loch Oich, perhaps stopping en route for a spot of fishing, and onto the pretty Laggan Avenue. As we approach Laggan, our Highland Piper may greet us with a stirring rendition of traditional Scottish music.

After lunch on board we take in some of the finest scenery Scotland has to offer as we drive to one of its best known and most photographed castles, Eilean Donan, which has featured in movies such as “Highlander” and James Bond’s “The World Is Not Enough” and overlooks three sea lochs. Dinner on board.

Friday, Day 6 : Laggan to Banavie

Today, our final cruise will see us pass through Moy Bridge, the last fully hand-operated bridge on the canal, before mooring at Banavie beneath Ben Nevis and a stroll from Neptune’s Staircase leading down to Loch Eil.

After lunch on board, our tour today takes us to the renowned Dalwhinnie Distillery, standing in the Cairngorms National Park. Here, we are given a tour of the distillery and taste some single malts. Captain’s Farewell Dinner and of course, the opportunity to enjoy another wee dram or two.

Saturday, Day 7 : Banavie

After breakfast, guests are transferred by private chauffeured minibus to their choice of location in Inverness.

NOTE: This is a sample of Scottish Highlander’s Standard Classic Barge Cruise itinerary and is subject to change. On alternate weeks the cruise will be in the reverse direction.

SCOTTISH HIGHLANDER > ITINERARIES > Standard Classic Barge Cruise Itinerary

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