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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
- Tour of the Glen Ord whisky distillery with a private tasting
- Visit to Culloden Moor, scene of the last battle on British soil in
1746
- Tour of Cawdor Castle and gardens, home of Shakespeare's Scottish Play
- Visit Glencoe, scene of treachery between the Campbell and MacDonald
clans
- See Eilean Donan and Urquhart castles
- Visit to Clava Cairns, a prehistoric burial site
- Cruise Lochs Lochy, Oich, Ness and Dochfour and the Caledonian Canal
Features
- Size of barge: 126 x 17
- Number of Passengers: 12
- Number of Cabins (all with private bath): 6
- Crew: 6
- Air Conditioning and Central Heating: Yes
- Salon: Large salon and bar area plus separate dining room
with picture windows
- Bar: Open bar
- Deck: 3 decks - upper deck with sun canopy and loungers, a
smaller front deck and a rear deck with covered dining area and spa tub
- Spa Tub: Yes
- Cabin Features: Six cabins with queen bed or twins, 130 sq
ft each including ensuite bathroom with shower
- Vehicle for Transfers/Excursions: Two air-conditioned
minibuses
- Accessibility: No steps from front and rear deck to salon,
spiral staircase with 8 steps to upper sundeck. 9 steps from salon to
cabins
- Bicycles: 8 folding bicycles
- Wi-Fi: Yes (limited in some areas)
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.
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
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
- Pheasant Breast with Horseradish Sauce
- Marinated Wild Salmon with a Lemon Butter Sauce
- Fillet of Aberdeen Angus Beef with Wild Mushrooms and Tarragon
- Saddle of Venison with a Wild Berry Jus
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
This page last updated December 25, 2023