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Barges In Scotland: Scottish Highlander
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Cruise in the Scotland Highlands on the Caledonian Canal and Loch Ness aboard the Deluxe Hotel-Barge SCOTTISH HIGHLANDER

SEVEN DAYS / SIX NIGHTS

The 8 passenger Scottish Highlander has the atmosphere of a Scottish Country House with subtle use of tartan furnishings and landscape paintings. At 117 feet she is spacious and has every comfort for year round cruising. Scottish Highlander cruises the Caledonian Canal between Fort William and Inverness, through the Great Glen and along legendary Loch Ness, encountering some of Scotland's finest scenery along the way. Cuisine aboard Scottish Highlander is traditional Scottish fare - Salmon, Game, Venison and Seafood, prepared by your own Master Chef, and the experienced crew of four ensure attention to your every need during your week long cruise. There is one large suite and three junior suites, each with twin beds or a double bed and ensuite bathrooms.

Cruise Highlights

  • All-inclusive - open bar, free wines, gourmet cuisine, entry fees to excursions
  • Cawdor Castle, home of Shakespeare's Macbeth
  • Culloden Moor, last British based battleground in 1746
  • Tea at Glengarry Castle Hotel
  • Overnight mooring alongside 13th century Urquhart Castle
  • Cruise Lochs' Ness, Oich, Lochy and the Caledonian canal
  • Spectacular scenery, Wildlife and Folklore
  • Visit Glencoe, treachery between the Campbell and MacDonald clans



Features

  • Size of barge: 117 ft by 16.5 ft
  • Number of Passengers: 8
  • Number of Cabins (all with private bath): 4
  • Crew: 4
  • Air Conditioning and Central Heating: Central heating. No air-conditioning.
  • Salon: Salon/dining area with eight observational windows. Tartan carpet, armchairs and sofas.
  • Bar: Open bar
  • Deck: Sundeck with deck chairs. Centrally heated bridge with seating for 4.
  • Spa Tub: No
  • Cabin Features: Cameron suite: approx 147 sq ft. MacKintosh, Frazer, & MacPherson staterooms: approx. 115 sq ft. All can be configured as twins or queen bed and include ensuite bathroom with shower.
  • Vehicle for Transfers/Excursions: Air-conditioned 9-seater long wheelbase VW Caravelle minibus. Ship's fender with outboard motor for exploring creeks and rivers and fly fishing.
  • Accessibility: Steps from deck to salon/cabins.
  • Bicycles: 6 mountain bikes


Scottish Highlander's Deck Plan
Scottish Highlander's Deck Plan



Dining Aboard the Scottish Highlander

Regional Specialties

  • Munro of Marinated Salmon
  • Pheasant Breast with Horseradish Sauce
  • Navarin of Lamb with Thyme, Parsley and Bay Leaf
  • Chicken Breasts with Raspberry Vinegar
Wine Cellar
  • A good selection of French and New World wines, complimented by assorted single malt Malts and 80 Shilling Ales
Cheese Board
  • Scottish Brie
  • Whisky Chase
  • Stratdown Blue
  • Orkney Smoked



Passenger Comments:

Arrived home yesterday, having had a wonderful time in Scotland. What a beautiful country! The weather was perfectly beautiful, and Duncan said he had never seen the mountains so clearly. The crew was just wonderful, as was the food, and our cabin. I'll let them tell you about our fellow passengers! Anyhow, we rode the bikes and enjoyed every minute, thanks to you. SPT: I have sung your praises loud and strong, and hope one day to refer someone to you!
-- B.K., RI, USA

A very fine vessel. The Captain and the chef were wonderful - caring, available, and accommodating. I thought the experience was wonderful. I would recommend it to anyone.
-- B.F., CA, USA

SAMPLE ITINERARY:
Scotland: Caledonian Canal, Loch Ness:
Inverness (Dochgarroch) to Fort William (Banavie)

Sunday - 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 - Dochgarroch to Fort Augustus

This morning we visit the 14th century fairytale Cawdor Castle immortalized by Shakespeare with Macbeth. It houses a superb collection of tapestries, pictures, and furniture with beautiful landscaped gardens. We also visit Culloden Moor made famous by the MacDonalds 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 - 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 greenskeepers are sheep! We dine out tonight at a local restaurant.

Wednesday - 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 - Cullochy Locks to Gairlochy

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

Friday - 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 lochs that is a spectacular feat of engineering. Farewell Captain's Dinner on board.

Saturday - Banavie (Fort William)

After a hearty Scottish breakfast, passengers disembark for the minibus transfer to Inverness by 11am.

On alternate weeks the itinerary is in reverse direction. This itinerary is subject to change.



Scottish Highlander
2012 Season Cruise Schedule*
Week Route Season
Apr 1 Fort William (Banavie)-Inverness (Dochgarroch) Value
Apr 8 Inverness (Dochgarroch)-Fort William (Banavie) Value
Apr 15 Fort William (Banavie)-Inverness (Dochgarroch) Value
Apr 22 Inverness (Dochgarroch)-Fort William (Banavie) Value
Apr 29 Fort William (Banavie)-Inverness (Dochgarroch) Value
May 6 Inverness (Dochgarroch)-Fort William (Banavie) Regular
May 13 Fort William (Banavie)-Inverness (Dochgarroch) Regular
May 20 Inverness (Dochgarroch)-Fort William (Banavie) Regular
May 27 Fort William (Banavie)-Inverness (Dochgarroch) Regular
Jun 3 Inverness (Dochgarroch)-Fort William (Banavie) Regular
Jun 10 Fort William (Banavie)-Inverness (Dochgarroch) Regular
Jun 17 Inverness (Dochgarroch)-Fort William (Banavie) Regular
Jun 24 Fort William (Banavie)-Inverness (Dochgarroch) Regular
Jul 1 Inverness (Dochgarroch)-Fort William (Banavie) Regular
Jul 8 Fort William (Banavie)-Inverness (Dochgarroch) Regular
Jul 15 Inverness (Dochgarroch)-Fort William (Banavie) Regular
Cruise Schedule* ... continued
Week Route Season
Jul 22 Fort William (Banavie)-Inverness (Dochgarroch) Value
Jul 29 Inverness (Dochgarroch)-Fort William (Banavie) Value
Aug 5 Fort William (Banavie)-Inverness (Dochgarroch) Value
Aug 12 Inverness (Dochgarroch)-Fort William (Banavie) Value
Aug 19 Fort William (Banavie)-Inverness (Dochgarroch) Regular
Aug 26 Inverness (Dochgarroch)-Fort William (Banavie) Regular
Sep 2 Fort William (Banavie)-Inverness (Dochgarroch) Regular
Sep 9 Inverness (Dochgarroch)-Fort William (Banavie) Regular
Sep 16 Fort William (Banavie)-Inverness (Dochgarroch) Regular
Sep 23 Inverness (Dochgarroch)-Fort William (Banavie) Regular
Sep 30 Fort William (Banavie)-Inverness (Dochgarroch) Value
Oct 7 Inverness (Dochgarroch)-Fort William (Banavie) Value
Oct 14 Fort William (Banavie)-Inverness (Dochgarroch) Value
Oct 21 Inverness (Dochgarroch)-Fort William (Banavie) Value
Oct 28 Fort William (Banavie)-Inverness (Dochgarroch) Value


*Note: Cruise directions and sample itineraries may be in reverse and are subject to change and may depend on bookings and local navigation conditions. Alternate excursions of equal appeal are substituted when needed. For charter cruises special itineraries can be arranged.


SCOTTISH HIGHLANDER
2012 SEASON PRICES in US DOLLARS
ACCOMMODATION VALUE
Apr 1 thru May 5
Jul 22 thru Aug 18
Sep 30 thru Nov 3
REGULAR
May 6 thru Jul 21
Aug 19 thru Sep 29
Stateroom (per person, double occupancy)
$3,590
$4,090
Suite (per person, double occupancy)
$4,090
$4,750
Single Occupancy Supplement
$1,400
$1,550
Charter for 6
$26,000
$29,600
Charter for 7
$27,000
$30,800
Charter for 8
$28,000
$32,000
Honeymoon Charter for 2
$17,900
$20,900
Three Night Stateroom (per person, double occ)
$2,450
$2,450
Three Night Suite (per person, double occ)
$2,790
$2,790
Three Night Single Supplement
$900
$900
Three Night Charter for 6
$17,400
$17,400
Three Night Charter for 7
$18,100
$18,100
Three Night Charter for 8
$18,800
$18,800


What's Included

- 7 days and 6 nights on the barge, all cabins with private bath
- Transfers from Inverness to the barge and return
- All meals beginning with dinner on Sunday through breakfast on Saturday
- All wines with lunches and dinners
- Open bar
- All escorted side-excursions (hot air ballooning, golf, etc. at additional cost)
- Use of bicycles

What's Not Included

- Overseas air transportation to Inverness and return
- Suggested 5-7% gratuity for the crew, to be paid in equivalent British pounds to the captain

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Last Update: January 10, 2012

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CLIA-Cruise Lines International Association, OSSN-Outside Sales Support Network. 
Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover Cards Welcome