SCOTTISH HIGHLANDER
WALKING CRUISE
The Great Glen Way
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
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