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With the atmosphere of a Scottish Country House, Scottish Highlander offers luxury barge cruise vacations along Loch Ness and the Caledonian canal in Scotland

Sunday, Classic cruise Day 1: Inverness to Dochgarroch

At 4pm we meet at the Glenmoriston Town House Hotel in Inverness and transfer to Scottish Highlander moored at Dochgarroch. Champagne welcome followed by a short evening cruise along the heather-lined canal to the winding hole. Dinner aboard.

Monday, Classic cruise Day 2: Dochgarroch to Fort Augustus

This morning we visit the 14th century fairytale Cawdor Castle immortalised by Shakespeare with Macbeth, housing a superb collection of tapestries, pictures and furniture with beautiful landscaped gardens. We also visit Culloden Moor, made famous by the MacDonald and Campbell battle in the 13th century. After lunch we cruise Loch Dochfour to Fort Augustus passing Urquhart Castle and the south shore of Loch Ness, where there is an abundance of wildlife, and moor near Fort Augustus Abbey. Tonight we often invite the local piper on board. Dinner aboard.

Tuesday, Classic cruise Day 3: Fort Augustus

After breakfast we cruise up the staircase of five locks through the village of Fort Augustus, which gives us plenty of time to shop and look around this pretty Caledonian gem. After lunch we visit Urquhart Castle and Invermoriston Falls (or with family charters explore the Nessie Museum). There is also a picnic opportunity today. Fort Augustus has a charming heather-laced 9 or 18 hole golf course, where the official green keepers are sheep! We dine out tonight at a local restaurant.

Wednesday, Classic cruise Day 4: Fort Augustus to Cullochy Lock

We leave Fort Augustus this morning and cruise to Cullochy Lock via Kytra. After lunch we drive through Glen Moriston and stunning highland countryside to romantic medieval Eilean Donan Castle, setting for the film Highlander. Eilean Donan Castle has an idyllic island setting with commanding views of three sea lochs and frequent sightings of otters, dolphins and the Isle of Skye. Following the abortive Jacobite rising of 1719, the ruins of the castle were abandoned for 200 years until the 20th century when a complete reconstruction was undertaken. Dinner aboard.

Thursday, Classic cruise Day 5: Cullochy Locks to Gairlochy

Leave Cullochy Lock for a morning cruise via two locks at Laggan, and through Lochs Oich and Lochy to Gairlochy. In the afternoon there is a chance to see either the World War II Commando memorial, the woollen mill at Spean Bridge, selling traditional knitwear and tweeds, or the Clan Cameron museum. Dinner aboard.

Friday, Classic cruise Day 6 Gairlochy to Banavie

Morning visit to the mystic battlefields of Glencoe. On the way back visit the Glen Nevis distillery for an insight into the secrets of the various stages of Whisky preparation and taste a wee dram or two. In the afternoon we cruise to Banavie and Neptune’s Staircase, a flight of eight locks that is a spectacular feat of engineering. Farewell Captain’s Dinner on board.

Saturday, Classic cruise Day 7: Banavie

Passengers disembark for the transfer to Fort William by minibus after a hearty Scottish breakfast arriving in there by about 9:45am.

NOTE: On alternative weeks the itinerary is in reverse direction.  Itineraries are subject to change.