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Check-in Time / Location 3:30 PM in Inverness
Travel from Banavie to Muirtown on the Caledonian Canal
In the afternoon, you will be met by a crew member at the designated meeting point in Inverness. From here, relax as you are chauffeured by private minibus 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.
Begin this morning with a cruise through Moy Bridge, the last hand-operated bridge on this waterway; then on to 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. This afternoon, tour and taste at Dalwhinnie Distillery. A fascinating description of the maturing and aging process of their whiskies is followed by a special sampling of several single malts. Back onboard, an elegant evening of drinks and dinner culminates the day.
This morning, cross the scenic Loch Oich. Relax on deck and watch stunning landscapes slip by. This afternoon, 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. This has castle been featured in films such as “Highlander” and James Bond’s “The World Is Not Enough.” Enjoy cocktails and canapes before Chef serves tonight's dinner onboard.
This morning, your Tour Guide chauffeurs you (weather permitting) to a private club on the banks of Loch Ness for a dramatic demonstration of falconry and birds of prey. The majesty of the swooping birds against the backdrop of the Scottish Highlands is not easily forgotten. Return to your barge for an afternoon cruise to Fort Augustus and down a flight of locks to our gorgeous mooring at the entrance to Loch Ness. There is time to freshen up freshen up before tonight's dinner 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. Will you be able to spot “Nessie?” Once moored, your Tour Guide escorts you to Culloden Moor, scene of the last major battle on British soil, where English troops faced the Highlanders of Bonnie Prince Charlie. If time allows, end the day at Clava Cairns, a pre-historic burial site dating back to 2000 B.C.E. Back onboard, Chef is crafting tonight's dinner.
During this morning's cruise through the Tomnahurich swing bridge and to the locks to Muirtown, take a gentle pedal or leisurely stroll to the sea lock - with wonderful views over Moray and Beauly Firths. This afternoon, your Tour Guide introduces Cawdor Castle and Gardens, scene of Shakespeare’s Macbeth.* Enjoy the superb collection of tapestries, pictures and furnishings. Then relive your adventure in the Scottish Highlands over a festive cocktail hour and Captain’s Dinner, ending your cruise in style.
After breakfast, you will be chauffeured to the designated drop off point in Inverness
This is a sample itinerary and subject to change depending on local conditions.
*The excursion to Cawdor Castle is possible only between late April and early October. A visit to Fort George will replace it on either side of these dates.
Travel from Banavie to Muirtown on the Caledonian Canal
Please contact us for more information about the inclusions and exclusions pertaining to this cruise
In the afternoon, you will be met by a crew member of the Spirit of Scotland 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. Afterward, enjoy a nightcap in the hot tub!
Golf today with a morning round of 18 holes at Newtonmore Golf Course, established on the banks of the River Spey in 1893. Non-golfers will experience the historical battlefield of Glencoe amidst incredible scenery. An afternoon cruise is culminated with a stirring rendition of traditional Scottish music by an authentic Highland Piper. The canal side path beckons for a gentle pedal or leisurely stroll 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 Scottish Highlander 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 multi-course dinner onboard.
A morning cruise to Fort Augustus takes the barge down a flight of locks to our gorgeous mooring at the entrance to Loch Ness. Golfers enjoy 9 holes at Fort Augustus Golf Course, possibly the only course in the world manicured by a herd of sheep! Non-golfers will visit the ruins of Urquhart Castle, then take drive to the Invermoriston Falls and the “Old Bridge”. Return to the barge for tonight's special dinner, taken ashore at a local pub.
This morning, relax on deck as the barge gently floats across the world-famous Loch Ness. Golfers will then play 18 holes at Castle Stuart, overlooking the picturesque Moray Firth, while non-golfers tour Cawdor Castle, forever immortalized in Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”.** A visit to Culloden Moor reveals a 17th century battlefield, followed by a pre-historic burial site dating back to 2000 B.C.E. Back onboard, Chef is crafting tonight's dinner. *Please note a comparable excursion will be offered during the months of April and October.
The golfers have an early departure for an 18 hole round and light lunch at Royal Dornoch, dating from 1616 and one of Scotland’s most acclaimed courses. The non-golfers will enjoy a scenic cruise to Muirtown, with plenty of opportunity to walk or bicycle. At mid-afternoon, both groups will meet at the Tomatin distillery to experience the maturing process of single and blended malts, followed by a special tasting of premium whiskeys. Return to Spirit of Scotland for the festive cocktail hour and Captain’s Dinner.
After breakfast, you will be chauffeured to the designated drop off point in Inverness.
This is a sample itinerary which may change depending on the availability of the individual courses and will run in the opposite direction every other week.
“We loved everything about the trip. The crew was wonderful, the food was amazing, the daily stops and events were always wonderful (a particular favorite was the bagpiper who was also a story teller and a kilt-maker), and the scenery was just beautiful. As an aside we arrived a day early in Inverness and stayed in the Ness Walk Hotel. One of the things I like about the intimacy of the barge is that you quickly get to know your travel companions. By the third night we were laughing and talking as if we had known each other for years. All in all a fabulous experience.”
– Carol F, Spirit of Scotland
Are you ready to marvel at the mountainous
majesty of Scotland?
