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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, Day 1 :

Guests are met at 4 pm at the Glenmorriston Town House in Inverness and escorted the short distance to the barge. Champagne Welcome and short evening cruise to Dochgarroch . Opportunity to stroll the Ness river banks before dinner aboard

Monday, Day 2 :

Walk at Chanonry Point and the Fairy Glen Distance: 7 Miles Time 3 ? hours (2 hours for a shorter walk) A modest walk involving some hill climbing. This is a varied walk dividing neatly into two parts, each of which can be made separately if desired. The first half follows the coast around the shingle spit of Chanonry Point, a popular dolphin–spotting area, while the second half climbs the hills behind Fortrose to obtain a panoramic view of the Inner Moray firth and North East start of the Great Glen before descending via the scenic waterfalls of the Fairy Glen. Afternoon cruise across Lochs Dochfour and Ness to our isolated mooring at Foyers. Short evening walk to the Falls of Foyers. Evening Piper. Dinner aboard

Tuesday, Day 3 :

Morning walk of Farigaig Forest. Close to the route of General Wade’s military road from Inverness to Fort William. Enjoying superb views of Loch Ness across to Urquhart Castle, this 3 hour walk of approximately 5 ? miles can be shortened if necessary and takes you through beautiful highland scenery with an abundance of birch, ash, beech, hazel and rowan, past boulder strewn burn (streams) and woody Glens. A Walk of modest ability. Lunch aboard whilst cruising to Fort Augustus for our mooring by the River Oich. Enjoy a drink at the Loch End pub before or after Dinner aboard

Wednesday, Day 4 :

Enjoy a stroll to the Caledonian Canal Heritage Centre and see a 1930, black and white film of the steam packet Ferry Gondolier which used to ply the Glen with Post and passengers. Gentle 3 hour morning walk (7 miles) along the scenic banks of the river Oich and the Caledonian Canal and rejoin the barge at either Kytra or Cullochy . In Spring and Summer the grassy banks are sprinkled with wild flowers ,including Scottish bluebell,hawkbit,tormentil, and the small purple clobes of devil’s-bit scabious. Afternoon cruise to our amazing mooring beneath the ruins of Invergarry Castle. Opportunity for tennis and trout fishing and a round of Golf at 9 hole Fort Augustus course where the sheep act as Groundkeepers! Dinner aboard

Thursday, Day 5 :

We drive down to Fort William early for an ascent by Gondola upto Aonach Mor, Britain’s only Mountain Gondola system. The walk at the top takes about 1 ? hours totalling 3 miles and the time including the ride up takes about 2 hours. The weather can change quickly so warm protective clothing is necessary. The ride is 2200 feet and the views from the top are across the Nevis range and Britain’s highest mountain Ben Nevis, as well as Loch Linhe and Loch Eil can all be seen. Lunch at the Baronial Glen Garry Castle Hotel overlooking Loch Oich. Afternoon cruise to Fort Augustus.

Friday, Day 6 :

Morning cruise across Loch Ness, passing close by Urquhart Castle to Dochgarroch. Choice of walks. Either a drive over to Drumnadadrochit. and take on the challenging 6 mile walk of Meallfuarvonie, which is to the highest point on the Northern shore of Loch Ness affording magnificent views along the entire length of the Great Glen. This walk has a summit of 2293 feet and can be disorienting in bad visibility, hence a map and compass should be carried. Or walk the Ness islands and Tomnahuirich which is 4 ? miles long crossing the elegant footbridges of the Ness River and wooded islets in Inverness itself with views of the St Andrews Cathedral and bluff battlements of the Castle as well as Salmon anglers in the River. Captain’s Farewell Dinner

Saturday, Day 7 :

Passengers disembark after a hearty Scottish Breakfast.

Notes for Walking tour

This is a sample itinerary which will show guests a sample of interesting and low to medium difficulty walks through a variety of landscapes along Scotland’s Great Glen. We have a tremendous selection of walks available from a gentle stroll right up to a chance to sample the Ben’s and Munroes. We have allowed time to Cruise as well as Walk and this sample selection embraces some of the myths and legends as well as the amazing Highland scenery and wildlife for which Scotland is justly proud

Suggested reading

Pathfinder Guides and Ordinance survey maps. Eyewitness Travel Guide to Scotland, Reflections of Scotland by Ian Wallace

Clothing

These walks are scheduled in July or August. Clients should bring suitable walking boots and protective clothing and small back pack. Two walks are along hill top ridges and each member will be provided with a compass and local map. The guide will carry a hand held radio and cell phone for emergencies

Guides

All walks will have a guide who will be a member of the Scottish Highlander crew who whilst familiar with the terrain may not necessarily have experienced all the particular walks made during the week. If clients request we can lay on the services of a professional guide for an additional cost of $250 per day