BargesInFrance.com is closed. Archived information for 2023 only. Information will not be updated.

Cruise In The Scottish Highlands On The Caledonian Canal And Loch Ness Aboard The First Class Hotel-Barge SCOTTISH HIGHLANDER

BARGE CRUISES: SEVEN DAYS/SIX NIGHTS
The 8-passenger barge 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 includes traditional Scottish fare, such as salmon, game, venison and seafood, prepared by your own master Chef. Your knowledgeable and experienced crew of four will ensure that your every need is met during your week long cruise. There are three cabins and one larger suite, each of which can be configured with a queen bed or two twin sized beds. Each cabin also offers a private, fully-tiled ensuite bathroom with shower.

The Scottish Highlander offers a special golf cruise for charter groups. See below for the sample itinerary. You will have a chance to play at four different courses and also enjoy a daily cruise. A supplement is charged only for those golfing. Tours are offered for those not golfing. Golf weeks are occasionally offered for those wishing to book a cabin and join other golfers on board. Please contact us if you are interested.

We cruised on the Scottish Highlander in 2013 and thought that the scenery as we cruised through the Scottish Highlands and Loch Ness was just breathtaking! We visited the barge again in 2018 and think the new enclosed wheelhouse is a great addition.

Cruise Highlights

Cawdor Castle, home of Shakespeare's Macbeth
Culloden Moor, last British based battleground in 1746
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

Number of Passengers: 8

Number of Cabins (all with private bath): 4

Crew: 5

Air Conditioning and Central Heating: Central heating. Air conditioning in salon

Salon: Salon/dining area with eight observational windows. Tartan carpet, armchairs and sofa.

Bar: Open bar

Deck: Sundeck with deck chairs. Centrally heated bridge with seating for 4

Spa Tub: No

Cabin Features: Cameron suite 148 sq ft. MacKintosh, Frazer, & MacPherson cabins 115 sq ft each. 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: 5 steps from deck to salon, 3 steps from salon to suite, no steps to 3 cabins

Bicycles: 8 mountain bikes

Wi-Fi: Yes - limited in some areas

Scottish Highlander's Deck Plan

SCOTTISH HIGHLANDER 2021 SEASON PRICES in US DOLLARS
TYPE	VALUE Apr 4 thru May 8 Oct 3 thru Oct 23	REGULAR May 9 thru Oct 2
Cabin (per person, double occupancy)	$4,590	$5,350
Suite (per person, double occupancy)	$5,290	$6,190
Single Occupancy Supplement	$1,700	$1,950
Honeymoon Charter for 2	$29,000	$33,000
Charter for 6	$33,100	$38,200
Charter for 7	$34,300	$39,600
Charter for 8	$35,500	$41,000

SCOTTISH HIGHLANDER 2022 SEASON PRICES in US DOLLARS
TYPE	VALUE Apr 3 thru May 7 Oct 9 thru Oct 29	REGULAR May 8 thru Oct 8
Cabin (per person, double occupancy)	$4,890	$5,690
Suite (per person, double occupancy)	$5,690	$6,650
Single Occupancy Supplement	$1,800	$2,050
Charter for 6	$35,100	$40,500
Charter for 7	$36,300	$42,000
Charter for 8	$37,500	$43,500

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, including one dinner at a local restaurant
- 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
- Trip cancellation insurance

Scottish Highlander 2021 Season Cruise Schedule*
Week	Route (Or Reverse)	Season
Apr 4	Banavie-Muirtown	Value
Apr 11	Muirtown-Banavie	Value
Apr 18	Banavie-Muirtown	Value
Apr 25	Muirtown-Banavie	Value
May 2	Banavie-Muirtown	Value
May 9	Muirtown-Banavie	Regular
May 16	Banavie-Muirtown	Regular
May 23	Muirtown-Banavie	Regular
May 30	Banavie-Muirtown	Regular
Jun 6	Muirtown-Banavie	Regular
Jun 13	Banavie-Muirtown	Regular
Jun 20	Muirtown-Banavie	Regular
Jun 27	Banavie-Muirtown	Regular
Jul 4	Muirtown-Banavie	Regular
Jul 11	Banavie-Muirtown	Regular
Jul 18	Muirtown-Banavie	Regular
Jul 25	Banavie-Muirtown	Regular
Aug 1	Muirtown-Banavie	Regular
Aug 8	Banavie-Muirtown	Regular
Aug 15	Muirtown-Banavie	Regular
Aug 22	Banavie-Muirtown	Regular
Aug 29	Muirtown-Banavie	Regular
Sep 5	Banavie-Muirtown	Regular
Sep 12	Muirtown-Banavie	Regular
Sep 19	Banavie-Muirtown	Regular
Sep 26	Muirtown-Banavie	Regular
Oct 3	Banavie-Muirtown	Value
Oct 10	Muirtown-Banavie	Value
Oct 17	Banavie-Muirtown	Value
Oct 24	Muirtown-Banavie

Scottish Highlander 2022 Season Cruise Schedule*
Week	Route (Or Reverse)	Season
Apr 3	Muirtown-Banavie	Value
Apr 10	Banavie-Muirtown	Value
Apr 17	Muirtown-Banavie	Value
Apr 24	Banavie-Muirtown	Value
May 1	Muirtown-Banavie	Value
May 8	Banavie-Muirtown	Regular
May 15	Muirtown-Banavie	Regular
May 22	Banavie-Muirtown	Regular
May 29	Muirtown-Banavie	Regular
Jun 5	Banavie-Muirtown	Regular
Jun 12	Muirtown-Banavie	Regular
Jun 19	Banavie-Muirtown	Regular
Jun 26	Muirtown-Banavie	Regular
Jul 3	Banavie-Muirtown	Regular
Jul 10	Muirtown-Banavie	Regular
Jul 17	Banavie-Muirtown	Regular
Jul 24	Muirtown-Banavie	Regular
Jul 31	Banavie-Muirtown	Regular
Aug 7	Muirtown-Banavie	Regular
Aug 14	Banavie-Muirtown	Regular
Aug 21	Muirtown-Banavie	Regular
Aug 28	Banavie-Muirtown	Regular
Sep 4	Muirtown-Banavie	Regular
Sep 11	Banavie-Muirtown	Regular
Sep 18	Muirtown-Banavie	Regular
Sep 25	Banavie-Muirtown	Regular
Oct 2	Muirtown-Banavie	Regular
Oct 9	Banavie-Muirtown	Value
Oct 16	Muirtown-Banavie	Value
Oct 23	Banavie-Muirtown	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.

SAMPLE ITINERARY:
Scotland: Caledonian Canal, Loch Ness
Banavie to Muirtown 2023

Sunday - Banavie
Guests are met at the Kingsmills Hotel in Inverness** and transferred by private chauffeured minibus to Scottish Highlander. A champagne welcome by the Captain and crew and perhaps an early evening stroll before our first dinner on board.

Scottish Piper

Eilean Donan Castle

Urquhart Castle

Leanach Cottage at Culloden Moor

Leanach Cottage at Culloden Moor

Monday - Banavie to Laggan
We begin our week this morning with a cruise through Moy Bridge, the last hand-operated bridge of its type on the waterway, before crossing Loch Lochy. As we approach our mooring at Laggan, a Highland Piper may be there to greet us with a stirring rendition of traditional Scottish music. After lunch on board, our tour today takes us to Dalwhinnie Distillery, built in 1897 and the highest distillery in Scotland. We are given a fascinating description of the maturing and ageing process of their whiskies, each with its distinctive characteristics, followed by a special tasting of several single malts. If time permits, we can also visit the ruins of Old Inverlochy Castle. Dinner on board.

Tuesday - Laggan to Kytra
This morning we cruise across the very scenic Loch Oich, perhaps stopping en route for a spot of fishing or a gentle stroll, then onto our pretty mooring at Kytra. 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.

Wednesday - Kytra to Fort Augustus
After breakfast, we visit the private Highland Club, a spectacular exclusive set of residences and a former 19th century Benedictine Monastery. Here we are treated to a falconry and birds of prey demonstration (weather dependent)*** on the banks of Loch Ness, and the majesty of the swooping birds against the backdrop of the sweeping Scottish Highlands is not easily forgotten. There is time to explore the pretty village of Fort Augustus before lunch on board, after which we cruise to Fort Augustus and down the “flight of locks” as the locals call it, to moor opposite the Benedictine Abbey at the entrance to Loch Ness. This evening we dine ashore at a local restaurant.

Thursday - Fort Augustus to Dochgarroch
This morning we enjoy a picturesque cruise across world-famous Loch Ness, with perhaps a chance of spotting "Nessie", where en-route we pass Urquhart Castle, navigating closely beneath its spectacular 13th century ruins, before continuing our cruise to moor at the hamlet of Dochgarroch. After lunch we visit Cawdor Castle*, forever immortalised in Shakespeare’s "Scottish Play", Macbeth. The picturesque gardens have been listed amongst the top 100 in the UK. The castle contains a superb collection of tapestries, pictures and furnishings and 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.

Friday - Dochgarroch to Muirtown
This morning, our final cruise takes us through Tomnahurich swing bridge to the locks at Muirtown, where there is the opportunity to take a bicycle ride or stroll to the sea lock with wonderful views over the Moray and Beauly Firths. After lunch we visit Culloden Moor, scene of the last major battle on British soil in 1746, where English Government troops faced the Highlanders of "Bonnie Prince Charlie". If time allows, then we take a tour of Clava Cairns, a pre-historic clan chieftain burial site dating back to 2,000 B.C and setting for the Outlander TV series. Captain's Farewell Dinner on board.

Saturday - Muirtown
After breakfast, guests are transferred by private chauffeured minibus to their choice of location in Inverness. Other locations available for Private Charter bookings

Note: This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. On alternate weeks the cruise is in the reverse direction.
*The excursion to Cawdor Castle is only possible between early May and the end of September. A visit to Fort George will replace it either side of these dates.
** Other locations available for Private Charter bookings
*** Weather dependant

Dining Aboard The Scottish Highlander:
SAMPLE MENU

A taste of the gourmet cuisine served aboard
the Scottish Highlander.

BREAKFAST
Our Continental & hot breakfast offerings include a full Scottish breakfast with eggs, bacon, sausages,
black pudding and sauteed mushrooms along with Continental breakfast food items such as fresh breads
and jams, cereals and porridge, fresh and dried fruits and yogurt, in addition to fresh fruit juices, coffee and tea selections.

LUNCH

Homemade quiche
Highland pie
Pasta bake
Assorted Risotto
Stroganoff
Potato Bake
Assorted Soups
Tarragon chicken
Choice of salads
Cheese and cracker selection

DINNER

Terrine of leek and banana shallots with apricot and cardamom dressing
Marinated fillet of Scottish beef on a mustard mash finished with wilted Spinach and a veal demi glaze sauce
Cullen skink (haddock soup)
Roast fillet of lamb encased in a courgette and aubergine robe served with a rich port sauce
Tartare of crabmeat, smaked salmon & pink grapefruit with sour cream horseradish
Braised saddle of venison with pot-roasted root vegetables flavored with gin and juniper
Roasted sweet pepper tartlet with oyster mushroom duxelle and crème fraiche
Medley of sea bass, tiger prawns, turbot & crayfish on a tomato and aubergine galette
Foie Gras over salad of new potatoes with a chervil and honey dressing
Pan fried breast of guinea fowl with glazed apples and prunes with a lightly spiced Indian sauce
Breast of chicken with a mango and sweet corn farce (stuffing) set upon a rich red wine tarragon sauce

DESSERTS

Chilled banana soufflé with burnt orange sauce
Choux pastry balls filled with hazelnuts and bananas with a rich caramel glaze
Baked cinnamon cheesecake with raspberry sauce
Cranachan sponge with raspberry whiskey cream
Poached meringue with chocolate and raspberries and a warm elderflower and amaretto sauce.

SAMPLE CHEESE BOARD
Mull of Kyntyre, Smoked Orkney, Scottish Brie, Campbelltown Smoked Cheddar, Lanark Blue, Gruth Dhu,
Caboc, Inverloch, White Scottish Cheddar, Strathdon Blue, Arran Cheddar, Crowdie
SAMPLE WINE LIST
Selection of New World & French Wines; Some of the Single Malt Whiskies Served Aboard: Laphroaig 10 Year Old; Lagavulin 16 Year Old; Dalwhinnie 15 Year Old; Bowmore 12 Year Old; Isle of Jura 10 Year Old; Talisker 10 Year Old; Highland Park 12 Year Old; Macallan 10 Year Old Fine Oak; Glen Ord 12 Year Old; Benromach Speyside 10 Year Old

Passenger Comments:

It was excellent. Great food. good day trips. Nice accommodations. the crew looked after every need. High points were being together during the excellent dinners, the trip to Culloden battlefield, the Birds of Prey afternoon activity, walking along the canal.
E.M. WI USA

We greatly enjoyed the Scottish Highlander and Scotland. It was everything we hoped for. The food and wines qwere excellent. The sightseeing was interesting and our host/guide was very knowledgeable. The whole experience was a high point. For us, walking 4 miles one day and 6 miles another day along the towpath was really enjoyable. There's something special about leaving the barge and then watching it go by on the water. It's a mini adventure meeting up with it later. Plus the exercise helps to offset all the food we were eating.
B.S. & J.H. MS USA

We had a wonderful time on this trip - the staff were all accomplished and professional. They catered to our every need and made sure that we had an excellent experience. The service could not have been better. Sophie, the hostess, was extremely attentive but not overpowering. Just right. She's very gracious. We were thrilled with Sasha the chef. Her food was truly a highlight of the trip. Excellent excursions - Helen had done her homework. She is very knowledgeable as well as having an outgoing personality. A perfect combination. She tried to make sure that we did everything we wanted to do on the tours. Overall, we spent a spectacular 6 nights on The Scottish Highlander and would recommend it to anyone with an interest in the beautiful Scottish Highlands. We were pampered by everyone and had the most delicious meals every day. A great experience!
R & N M., VA, USA

Scotland is one of my favorite countries. What wonderful scenery and people. The barge had loads of books on the places, wild life and fauna for our use. The crew was very nice and helpful. Captain Dan as very interesting and enteraining. He loves what he does. Despite Carolyn and Dan #2 being new, they certainly put themselves out for our comfort and wellbeing.
J.J., CA, USA

LINKS to Scottish Highlander Information

BargesInFrance.com is closed. Archived information for 2023 only. Information will not be updated.
Text and images Copyright © 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023 by Barges In France, Barges In Europe, Divisions of Special Places Travel, LLC, Edgewater, MD, and by other copyright holders used by permission. Web design by Special Places Travel, LLC. All rights reserved. No further use without express written permission from copyright holders.