MENU Tap for Barge Cruise Information Menu

Barge Cruise: Spirit of Scotland
BargesInFrance.com is closed. Archived information for 2023 only. Information will not be updated.
BargesInFrance.com Logo

Cruise In The Scottish Highlands On The Caledonian Canal And Loch Ness Aboard The Deluxe Hotel-Barge SPIRIT OF SCOTLAND


BARGE CRUISES: SEVEN DAYS/SIX NIGHTS
The 12-passenger Spirit of Scotland is an elegant hotel barge with extensive public areas inside and out which are perfect for admiring the spectacular Scottish Highlands scenery as she cruises the Caledonian Canal and the lochs of the Great Glen. Although built in 2001, she evokes the style of the traditional steamers that sailed the lochs of Scotland many years ago. Previously cruising as the Serenite primarily in Germany and France, the Spirit of Scotland started cruising in Scotland in June 2017.

The Spirit of Scotland has six cabins with a queen bed or two twin beds, each with an ensuite bathroom with shower. The salon, large bar and separate dining room have large picture windows and a wheelhouse at the bow with access from the salon. Outside there is a covered dining terrace, a heated spa pool and large upper sundeck for viewing such historic landmarks as Urquhart Castle and Loch Ness.

The traditional Scottish cuisine, fine wines and open bar with a wide range of whiskies are served by an attentive crew of 6 to provide a truly memorable cruising experience.

We spent a wonderful week on board in October 2018. The scenery is spectacular with staggeringly beautiful glens, jagged mountains and windswept moors with crystal clear streams, rivers and waterfalls, misty mornings, three rainbows, castles, and the drive to Eilean Donan castle over the mountains to the Irish Sea was stunning. The chef was brilliant -- he put a creative spin on traditional Scottish fare that was beautiful and delicious. In addition to the wonderful daily excursions, we were surprised two evenings with on board entertainment.

Cruise Highlights

Features




Spirit Of Scotland's Deck Plan
Spirit Of Scotland's Deck Plan




SPIRIT OF SCOTLAND
2021 SEASON PRICES in US DOLLARS
TYPE VALUE
Apr 11 thru May 8
Oct 3 thru Oct 30
REGULAR
May 9 thru Oct 2
Cabin (per person, double occupancy)
$4,790
$5,650
Single Occupancy Supplement
$1,750
$2,100
Charter for 8
$47,900
$55,900
Charter for 9
$49,600
$57,700
Charter for 10
$50,900
$59,300
Charter for 11
$52,200
$60,900
Charter for 12
$53,500
$62,500

SPIRIT OF SCOTLAND
2022 SEASON PRICES in US DOLLARS
TYPE VALUE
Apr 10 thru May 7
Oct 9 thru Oct 29
REGULAR
May 8 thru Oct 8
Cabin (per person, double occupancy)
$5,090
$5,990
Single Occupancy Supplement
$1,900
$2,150
Charter for 8
$51,000
$59,500
Charter for 9
$52,800
$61,400
Charter for 10
$54,200
$63,100
Charter for 11
$55,600
$64,800
Charter for 12
$57,000
$66,500

What's Included
- 7 days and 6 nights on the barge, all cabins with ensuite bathroom
- 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



Spirit of Scotland
2021 Season Cruise Schedule*
Week Route (Or Reverse) Season
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 Value

Spirit of Scotland
2022 Season Cruise Schedule*
Week Route (Or Reverse) Season
Apr 10 Muirtown-Banavie Value
Apr 17 Banavie-Muirtown Value
Apr 24 Muirtown-Banavie Value
May 1 Banavie-Muirtown Value
May 8 Muirtown-Banavie Regular
May 15 Banavie-Muirtown Regular
May 22 Muirtown-Banavie Regular
May 29 Banavie-Muirtown Regular
Jun 5 Muirtown-Banavie Regular
Jun 12 Banavie-Muirtown Regular
Jun 19 Muirtown-Banavie Regular
Jun 26 Banavie-Muirtown Regular
Jul 3 Muirtown-Banavie Regular
Jul 10 Banavie-Muirtown Regular
Jul 17 Muirtown-Banavie Regular
Jul 24 Banavie-Muirtown Regular
Jul 31 Muirtown-Banavie Regular
Aug 7 Banavie-Muirtown Regular
Aug 14 Muirtown-Banavie Regular
Aug 21 Banavie-Muirtown Regular
Aug 28 Muirtown-Banavie Regular
Sep 4 Banavie-Muirtown Regular
Sep 11 Muirtown-Banavie Regular
Sep 18 Banavie-Muirtown Regular
Sep 25 Muirtown-Banavie Regular
Oct 2 Banavie-Muirtown Regular
Oct 9 Muirtown-Banavie Value
Oct 16 Banavie-Muirtown Value
Oct 23 Muirtown-Banavie 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 Spirit of Scotland. A champagne welcome by the Captain and crew and perhaps an early evening stroll before our first dinner on board.

Scottish Piper
Scottish Piper

Eilean Donan Castle
Eilean Donan Castle

Urquhart 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 Spirit of Scotland:
SAMPLE MENU


A taste of the gourmet cuisine served aboard
the Spirit of Scotland. 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.

REGIONAL SPECIALTIES
SAMPLE CHEESE BOARD
Criffel; Dunsyre Blue; Morangie Brie; Caithness; Strathdon Blue; Mull of Kyntyre Mature Cheddar; Crowdie

SAMPLE OF SINGLE MALT WHISKIES
Some of the Single Malt Whiskies Served Aboard: Benromach 10 Year Old; Glenmorangie 10 Year Old; Lagavulin 16 Year Old; Dalwhinnie 15 Year Old; Glenfiddich 12 Year Old; Bowmore 12 Year Old; Isle of Jura 10 Year Old; Talisker 10 Year Old



Passenger Comments:

The whole trip was outstanding. Crew, barge, service, food, wines, drinks, excursions, cabin. From the start when we were picked up at the hotel, everything went smoothly. We did not have to worry about anything, our desires were instantly met. They even had wonderful weather! We especially enjoyed sailing through the Loch Ness. Going through some series of locks was an interesting experience. Our tour guide Helen was very informative about the places we visited. She usually gave us an introduction of the place to visit on the barge before going to the site.
J&O L. TX USA

Wonderful week: perfect combination of spectacular landscapes, excellent amenities, great service and small group of nice people. Being French, I might have had some prejudice about food on a Scottish boat with "New World" clients on board. And I was totally and absolutely wrong! I rarely have had such good meals. The Chef was excellent and very creative, the meals were well thought up and beautifully presented, the choice of quality and local ingredients was perfect. The excursions were always interesting and greatly enhanced by the Cruise Director's knowledge, efficiency, kindness and enthusiasm.
I.H. France



LINKS to Spirit of Scotland Information


Barges In Europe, bargesineurope.com
Barges In France, bargesinfrance.com



This page last updated December 25, 2023