Scottish Highlander Barging in Scotland

Passengers: 8
Size: 117 feet long
Last Visited: 2008
Rating: Deluxe
Not A/C

2012 value season Rates

Honeymoon charter for 2: $17,900
Whole-Boat charter for 6: $26,000
Whole-Boat charter for 7: $27,000
Whole-Boat charter for 8: $28,000
Individuals in a Stateroom:$3,590
per person double occupancy
Individuals in a Suite: $4,090
per person double occupancy
Single Supplement: $1,400

2012 value season dates

April 1 - 7	April 29 - May 5	August 12 - 18	October 21 - 27
April 8 - 14	July 22 - 28	September 30 - October 6	October 28 - Nov 3
April 15 - 21	July 29 - August 4	October 7 - 13
April 22 - 28	August 5 - 11	October 14 - 20

2012 regular season Rates

Honeymoon charter for 2: $20,900
Whole-Boat charter for 6: $29,600
Whole-Boat charter for 7: $30,800
Whole-Boat charter for 8: $32,000
Individuals in a Stateroom: $4,090 per person double occupancy
Individuals in the Suite: $4,750per person double occupancy
Single Supplement: $1,550

2012 regular season dates

May 6 - 12	June 10 - 16	July 15 - 21	September 9 - 15
May 13 - 19	June 17 - 23	July 17- 23	September 16 - 22
May 20 - 26	June 24 - 30	August 19 - 25	September 23 - 29
May 27 - June 2	July 1 - 7	August 26 - Sept 1
June 3 - 9	July 8 - 14	September 2 - 8

All cruises begin in Inverness, Scotland on Sunday at 4:00 pm and return to Inverness the following Saturday. Please make arrival and departure plans on this basis. Cruise direction will be advised four weeks before departure.

The Barge Lady's Debbie Vaci and her sister-in-law Carol Sowell visited the Scottish Highlander in July of 2008. See her day-to-day diary of the cruise at The Barge Lady Blog.

"The Scottish Highlander looked amazing back-dropped by a magnificent horizon as our van drove up. This was a perfect setting for what was to come. We sailed the Caledonian Canal which consists of four natural lakes (lochs as they are known in Scotland) - Loch Lochy, Loch Oich, the famous Loch Ness and Loch Dochfour - all connected by short canals. I had never seen such unbelievable scenery! We floated by breathtaking mountains covered in greenery, exquisite castles and of course looked for the legendary Loch Ness monster.

Our four person crew made our vacation wonderful. They were so charming and friendly. I felt at home immediately with our fellow guests, with whom we became fast friends. We were very well taken care of - especially at mealtime. The Chef made many Scottish dishes using ingredients fresh from local markets daily and yes, we did eat Haggis! It was unexpectedly tasty! Our group loved the Scottish Porridge for breakfast. We also had a great salmon dish. My favorite was the double double chocolate cake.

I loved our tours. The Highlands is loaded with history and people are very willing to tell you a wee story or two. The more I saw, the more I wanted to learn about this vibrant culture. We visited majestic castles, had a whiskey tasting, a bagpipe concert and Captain Dan surprised us on our final evening with some tunes on his accordion.

People in Scotland are friendly and extremely courteous. They want to stop and talk and tell you all about their local life. Never have I felt so at home away from home. It was a cracker of a journey!"

Scottish Highlander
Caledonian Canal Barge Cruise Itinerary

Banavie to Dochgarroch (Inverness)
on the Caledonian Canal

Sunday: Drive from Inverness to Banavie
Welcome Aboard the Scottish Highlander
A member of Scottish Highlander crew will meet you at the designated Inverness hotel at 4:00 pm. From there, you will be driven to the start of your cruise route in Banavie. Estimated driving time is two hours – fun fact: It will take you six days to cruise back to Inverness! Once at Banavie, enjoy the traditional champagne welcome and introduction to crew and there will be time to explore in Banavie or bicycle a bit before the first of many dinners on board.

Monday: Banavie to Gairlochy
Secrets of Whiskey Making - and Take a Wee Dram!
In the morning we visit the mystic battlefields of Glencoe, followed by a visit to the Ben 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 Gairlochy. Return to the barge for dinner aboard.


Tuesday: Gairlochy to Cullochy Lock
Many Sightseeing Choices Today!
This morning 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. Leave Gairlochy for an afternoon cruise via two locks at Laggan, through Lochs Oich and Lochy and through Cullochy, mooring below the lock. Dinner aboard.


Wednesday: Cullochy to Fort Augustus
Romantic Reconstructed Castle
This morning we drive through Glen Moriston and stunning highland countryside to romantic Eilean Doonan castle, setting for the film Highlander. Eilean Doonan castle, pictured above, has an idyllic island setting with commanding views of three sea lochs. Following the abortive Jacobite rising of 1719, the ruins were abandoned for 200 years until the 20th Century when a complete reconstruction was undertaken. On the way back we visit a deer farm. We rejoin the barge and cruise to Fort Augustus where we dine out tonight at a local restaurant.

Thursday: Fort Augustus
Cruise on a Staircase of Locks
In the morning we have plenty of time to look around the pretty Caledonian village of Fort Augustus, pictured below, before making our way down the staircase of five locks. After lunch we visit Urquhart Castle and Invermoriston Falls(or with family charters explore the Nessie Museum). Dinner aboard.

Friday: Fort Augustus to Dochgarroch
Spot the Monster as You Cross Loch Ness!
In the morning we leave Fort Augustus and cruise the south shore of Loch Ness and Loch Dochfour, passing Urquhart Castle and seeing an abundance of wildlife en route to Dochgarroch, which lies a short distance from Inverness. This afternoon we visit the 14th Century fairytale Cawdor Castle, pictured at below, immortalized by Shakespeare with Macbeth, housing a superb collection of tapestries, pictures and furniture with beautiful landscaped gardens. We also visit Culloden Moor made famous by the MacDonald and Campbell battle in the 13th Century. Captain's Farewell Dinner aboard.

Saturday: We'll Drive you into Inverness
A Sad Farewell
We will drive you into Inverness. Suggested destination points include the train station (from where trains depart to Edinburgh), local hotel or rental car office. Cabs will be available for the Inverness Airport. Do not book any transfers out of Inverness before 11:00am. Do not book a flight before noon. We hope that your cruise on Scottish Highlander will create a lifetime of memories!

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Dochgarroch to Banavie (Inverness) on the Caledonian Canal

Sunday: Drive from Inverness to Dochgarroch
We meet you at a designated hotel in Inverness at 4pm and transfer to Scottish Highlander moored at Dochgarroch, a short drive from Inverness. 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 14thC fairytale Cawdor Castle immortalised in Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Cawdor contains a superb collection of tapestries, pictures and furniture, and has beautiful landscaped gardens. We also visit Culloden Moor, made famous by the MacDonald and Campbell battle in 1746. 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. 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). Fort Augustus has a charming heather-laced 9 or 18 hole golf course, where the official green keepers 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 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 Lock to Gairlochy
Leave Cullochy Lock for a morning cruise via two locks at Laggan, and through Lochs Oich and Lochy to Gairlochy. In the afternoon we visit the World War II Commando memorial and the woollen shops at Spean Bridge, selling traditional knitwear and tweeds. On the way back to the barge we enjoy a gondola trip up into Aonach Mor Mountains to enjoy the dramatic scenery from above.

Friday: Gairlochy to Banavie
Morning visit to the mystic battlefields of Glencoe. On the way back visit the Ben 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 locks that is a spectacular feat of engineering. Farewell Captain’s Dinner on board.

Saturday: Drive from Banavie back to Inverness
It took you six days to cruise to Banavie – now, we’ll drive you back to Inverness in two hours! We’ll depart at 9:00am, estimated arrival into Inverness is 11:00am. You can be transferred to the train station (from where trains to Edinburgh depart), a rental car office or local Inverness hotel. Cabs are available for the airport. Please make all onward travel plans on the basis of this time. We hope you will carry lifetime memories of your cruise across Scotland’s most beautiful lochs!

Please note: this is a sample itinerary which may be subject to change depending on local conditions. The route will run in reverse on alternate weeks. Contact The Barge Lady for reservations and more information about Barging in Scotland. Or call us toll free at (800) 880-0071.

Scottish Highlander
Guest Book

"The barge Scottish Highlander was great.  There were two other nice couples on board, one from Australia and the other lived near my home in Moorestown, NJ.  Donald the tour guide was wonderful and the whole crew was great!"
-Satisfied Guest, 2010

"We traveled with a wonderful group of people from the U.S., Canada and England.  We were all very compatible, and everyone eagerly participated in all the activities.  What a peaceful and relaxing six days - wedged between visits to Glasgow and Edinburgh - a perfect combination!"
Chuck and Jo Van Zoeren, 2008

"The entire week far exceeded our expectations, which were pretty high. I can't begin to describe how much all of us enjoyed the adventure. Of course we're all now on diets!! FYI, the chef James was simply outstanding. The haggis was even over the top! Ryan, our guide, was fantastic: great knowledge of the area and attractions with a wonderful and personal twist."
- Bruce Abbott and Cara Visconti, 2007

"We had a wonderful time. The food was fabulous and the crew were enthusiastic, knowledgeable and enjoyable. We would give this trip a 10 out of 10."
- John and Kathy Belcher, 2007

"The barge experience allowed us to settle in and truly relax with friends while enjoying the culture and scenery of Scotland. And, on top of it all, we were provided top-notch service and cuisine throughout. A perfect trip and perfect way to see Scotland!"
- Brad and Lynne Davidson 2007

Scottish Highlander Floor Plan

117 Feet long
-One Suite at 147 square feet and 3 cabins at 115 square feet
-"Country house" ambiance, tartan plaid decor
-Large dining room/salon area with picture windows
-Sundeck, fishing equipment available. No A/C.