Accommodations & Amenities View Deck Plan

Accommodations
  • 126 ft long with 6’6” ceiling height throughout
  • 6 cabins, all 130 sq ft, with 6’6” ceiling height
  • Choice of queen or two twin beds
  • Ensuite bathroom with shower
  • Adequate storage
  •  Salon
  • Separate dining room
  • Deck with canopy
  • Outdoor seating
Amenities
Chauffeured Guided Sightseeing
Chauffeured Guided Sightseeing
Daily Housekeeping
Daily Housekeeping
WiFi (service fluctuates)
WiFi (service fluctuates)
Private Chef
Private Chef
Open Bar
Open Bar
Bicycles and Helmets
Bicycles and Helmets
Air Conditioning/Heating
Air Conditioning/Heating
Hair Dryer and Toiletries
Hair Dryer and Toiletries
Bathrobe
Bathrobe
Safe
Safe
Hot Tub on Deck
Hot Tub on Deck
Sound System
Sound System

Itineraries

Travel from Banavie to Muirtown on the Caledonian Canal

Bicycling Opportunities:
Limited 
 (Bicycling is completely optional.)
Sunday
Welcome Aboardsunday image
Welcome Aboard
Travel: Arrival to Banavie
Meals: Dinner onboard

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.

Monday
Secrets of Scottish Whiskey, Revealedmonday image
Secrets of Scottish Whiskey, Revealed
Travel: Banavie to Laggan Locks
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, & dinner onboard

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. Your Tour Guide then introduces Ben Nevis Distillery, established in 1825. Experience a fascinating demonstration of the aging process of their whiskies, each with its distinctive characteristics, following by a tasting of several single malts. Back on board, Chef is preparing another dinner featuring local ingredients.

Tuesday
An Iconic Castle Awaits Youtuesday image
An Iconic Castle Awaits You
Travel: Laggan Locks to Kytra
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner onboard

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.

Wednesday
A Beautiful Display of Falconrywednesday image
A Beautiful Display of Falconry
Travel: Kytra to Fort Augustus/Entrance to Loch Ness
Meals: Breakfast & lunch onboard, dinner ashore

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.

Thursday
Immerse Yourself into Scottish History and Culturethursday image
Immerse Yourself into Scottish History and Culture
Travel: Fort Augustus to Dochgarroch
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner onboard

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.

Friday
Cawdor Castle, Forever Associated with Macbethfriday image
Cawdor Castle, Forever Associated with Macbeth
Travel: Dochgarroch to Muirtown
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner onboard

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.

Saturday
A Sad Farewellsaturday image
A Sad Farewell
Travel: Departure from Muirtown
Meals: Breakfast onboard

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

Sunday
Welcome Aboardsunday image
Welcome Aboard
Travel: Inverness to Banavie
Meals: Dinner onboard

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!

Monday
Mystical Battlefield, Magical Music, and Golf at Newtonmoremonday image
Mystical Battlefield, Magical Music, and Golf at Newtonmore
Travel: Banavie to Laggan Locks
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, & dinner onboard

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.

Tuesday
An Iconic Castle Awaits Youtuesday image
An Iconic Castle Awaits You
Travel: Laggan Locks to Cullochy
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, & dinner onboard

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.

Wednesday
Castle Ruins and Fort Augustus Golfwednesday image
Castle Ruins and Fort Augustus Golf
Travel: Cullochy to Fort Augustus
Meals: Breakfast & lunch onboard; dinner ashore

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.

Thursday
Cruise Across Loch Ness and Castle Stuart Links Coursethursday image
Cruise Across Loch Ness and Castle Stuart Links Course
Travel: Fort Augustus to Dochgarroch
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner onboard

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.

Friday
A Wee Dram and Royal Dornoch Golf Coursefriday image
A Wee Dram and Royal Dornoch Golf Course
Travel: Dochgarroch to Muirtown
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner onboard

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.

Saturday
A Sad Farewellsaturday image
A Sad Farewell
Travel: Transfer from Muirtown
Meals: Breakfast onboard

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.

Gourmet Dining

Lunch
  • Smoked Slow Roasted Ribs
  • Curried Mussels
  • Harissa and Mustard-Dressed Mixed Green Salad
  • Wild Mushroom and Truffle-Stuffed Mixed Peppers
  • Triple Chocolate Brownies with Pistachios and Golden Raisins
  • A Selection of Coffees, Tea, and Biscuits
Dinner
  • Spiced Pumpkin Veloute
  • Salmon with Citrus Crushed Potatoes and Roasted Cauliflower
  • Cheeses: Highland Brie and Organic Dunlop
  • Caramelized Brioche with Basil Roasted Pineapple, Caramel Swipe, and Fresh Cherry
  • A Selection of After Dinner Drinks
  • 1 Dinner Ashore Inclusive of the Cruise Rate
Wine
  • Reuilly 2016, Henri Beurdin
  • Valpolicella Ripasso 2015, Villa Borghetti
  • Marquis de Pennautier Viognier 2015 PGI Pays d’Oc
  • Cotes du Rhone Belleruche 2015 M. Chapoutier
  • Montagny 1er Cru, 2015
  • Plan de Dieu, 2014, Domain Durieu

Rates & Dates

Accommodation
Value Season
Regular Season
Private Cruise for 12 guests$73,000$84,000
Private Cruise for 11 guests$71,200$82,000
Private Cruise for 10 guests$69,400$80,000
Private Cruise for 9 guests$67,600$78,000
Private Cruise for up to 8 guests$65,400$75,600
Cabin (Per Person, Double Occupancy)$6,550$7,550
Single Supplement$2,300$2,700

2025 Dates

Italic Dates = Value Season
Gray Bold Dates = Regular Season

Month
Days
April6-12, 13-19, 20-26, 27-3
May4-10, 11-17, 18-24, 25-31
June1-7, 8-14, 15-21, 22-28, 29-5
July6-12, 13-19, 20-26, 27-2
August3-9, 10-16, 17-23, 24-30, 31-6
September7-13, 14-20, 21-27, 28-4,
October5-11, 12-18, 19-25

Additional Details

Included in the rate
  • 6 nights/7 days in a cabin with a private bath
  • Round trip chauffeured transfers to and from Inverness
  • A dedicated onboard crew consisting of a Captain, Chef, Tour Guide, and Hostess
  • All meals onboard and ashore from dinner the first evening to breakfast the final morning
  • All wines served with lunches and dinners both onboard and ashore
  • Open bar with alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
  • Daily escorted excursions including admittance fees
  • Unlimited use of onboard amenities such as bicycles and the hot tub
Not included in the rate
  • International airfare
  • Cancellation insurance – A Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) policy is recommended
  • Suggested crew gratuity of 5-10% of the cruise price

*All rates are quoted in U.S. Dollars unless otherwise noted

Spirit of Scotland Route

Are you ready to marvel at the mountainous
majesty of Scotland?

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