Scottish Highlander

In the afternoon, you will be met by a crew member of the Scottish Highlander at the designated meeting point in Inverness. From here, relax as you are chauffeured to the barge, moored in Banavie. A traditional champagne welcome and introduction to the crew awaits you, before the first of many gourmet dinners is served.

This morning’s excursion is to the mystical area of Glencoe, renowned for its geographical beauty and famed for one of the darkest days in Scottish history. If time permits, your Tour Guide accompanies you to the ruins of the 13th century Old Inverlochy Castle, the original site of a Pictish fortress said to have been attacked by the Vikings. Approaching tonight's mooring, a Highland Piper should be there to greet you with a stirring rendition of traditional Scottish music. Explore the canal side path on bicycle or on foot before Chef presents tonight's dinner.

This morning, take in some of the finest scenery Scotland has to offer during the drive to one of its best known and most photographed castles, Eilean Donan, which has been featured in films such as “Highlander” and James Bond’s “The World Is Not Enough”. Your Tour Guide returns you to the barge for an afternoon cruise across the very scenic Loch Oich. Relax on deck with a wee dram and watch this extraordinarily beautiful landscape slip by. Enjoy cocktails and canapes before Chef serves tonight's dinner onboard.

A morning cruise to Fort Augustus takes the barge down the flight of locks that cleverly assist the water traffic from one vertical level to another, to our gorgeous mooring at the entrance to Loch Ness. Today’s excursion is a highlight of the cruise; visit a private club on the banks of Loch Ness for a dramatic demonstration featuring birds of prey. Your Tour Guide returns you to the barge so you can freshen up, as tonight's dinner is taken ashore at a locally-owned pub.

Today's active adventures reveal some of the best-loved icons within Scottish culture. This morning, relax on deck as the barge gently makes her way across the world-famous Loch Ness. Once moored, your Tour Guide escorts you to the lovely Cawdor Castle, forever immortalized in Macbeth, Shakespeare’s “Scottish Play”, and where the Dowager Countess of Cawdor still resides.* The day ends at Clava Cairns, a pre-historic burial site dating back to 2000 B.C.E. Back onboard, Chef is crafting tonight's dinner.

After this morning's cruise through the Tomnahurich swing bridge and the locks to Muirtown, take a gentle pedal or leisurely stroll to the sea lock with wonderful views over the Moray and Beauly Firths. This afternoon, your Tour Guide accompanies you to the Culloden Moor, scene of the last major battle on British soil. Then, tour the Dalwhinnie Distillery, and enjoy a special tasting of their premium whiskies. Tonight, a festive cocktail hour precedes the Captain's Dinner.

After breakfast, you will be chauffeured to the designated drop off point in Inverness.