The highlands of Scotland hold the very essence of this awe inspiring country. We cruise along the Great Glen from Inverness towards Fort William, through lochs, along rivers and the scenic and absorbing Caledonian Canal. Ancient castles leading to the water's edge, heather-clad hillsides and arguably the finest inland cruising scenery in the world.
We anchor below castles and explore the Glens, Munroes and Bens of this spectacular land. The legends of the past, the taste of single malt and the mythical inhabitant of Loch Ness all contribute to a special magic only experienced in Scotland's dramatic Highlands.
PROGRAM DAY-BY-DAY
DAY
DESCRIPTION
Day 1
Inverness to Dochgarroch
At 4pm we meet at the Glenmoriston Town House Hotel in Inverness and transfer to Scottish Highlander moored at Dochgarroch. Champagne welcome followed by a short evening cruise along the heather-lined canal to the winding hole. Dinner aboard.
Day 2
Dochgarroch to Fort Augustus
This morning we visit the 14 th century fairytale Cawdor Castle immortalised 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 13 th century. 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.
Day 3
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.
Day 4
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 Castle 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 20 th century when a complete reconstruction was undertaken. Dinner aboard.
DAY 5
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 there is a chance to see either the World War II Commando memorial, the woollen mill at Spean Bridge, selling traditional knitwear and tweeds, or the Clan Cameron museum. Dinner aboard.
Day 6
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.
Day 7
Banavie
Passengers disembark for the transfer to Fort William by minibus after a hearty Scottish breakfast arriving in there by about 9.45am.
Saturday, Day 7 Banavie
Passengers disembark for the transfer to Fort William by minibus after a hearty Scottish breakfast arriving in there by about 9.45am.
PRICES FROM
From $3,490.00 per person in double occupancy
FACTS
Duration: 6 Days / 7 Nights
2011 Departures: Jan 2, Jan 9, Jan 16, Jan 23, Jan 30, Feb 6, Feb 13, Feb 20, Feb 27, Mar 6, Mar 13, Mar 20, Mar 27, Apr 3, Apr 10, Apr 17, Apr 24, May 1, May 8, May 15, May 22, May 29, June 5, June 12, June 19, June 26, Jul 3, Jul 10, Jul 17, Jul 24, Jul 31, Aug 7, Aug 14, Aug 21, Aug 28, Sep 4, Sep 11, Sep 18, Sep 25, Oct 2, Oct 9 Oct 16, Oct 23, Oct 30, Nov 6, Nov 13, Nov 20, Nov 27, Dec 4, Dec 11, Dec 18, Dec 25
Itinerary Note: On alternate weeks the cruise is in the reverse direction.
Highlights: Cawdor Castle, home of Shakespere's Macbeth; Culloden Moor, last British based battleground in 1746; Cruise Lochs' Ness, Oich, Lochy and the Caledonian canal; Spectacular scenery, Wildlife and Folklore; Visit Glencoe, treachery between the Campbell and MacDonald clans; Tour of the Ben Nevis Whisky distillery; See Eilean Donan and Urquhart castles.
Travel documents: Please visit our “Visa Info” page to inquire if you need a travel visa for this tour. It is the responsibility of the traveler to obtain proper travel documents for this tour.
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Inclusions: All ground transportation at the destination; lodging, meals and tours per itinerary; English-speaking assistance.
Not included: International and domestic airfares; airport departure taxes; tips of any kind; incidentals at hotels; any meals not included in the itinerary; alcoholic beverages; souvenirs.
VISA INFORMATION
It is the travelers responsibility to have all proper travel documents which can include passports and foreign visas. Learn more here: Passport & Visa Information
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Travel Insurance is highly recommended to protect your travel investment and for any emergencies that could occur while traveling. Learn more here: Travel Insurance
IMPORTANT NOTES
All rates are “From Prices”
and correspond to the lowest season in the year.
Expect moderate to high increases for high season
and holiday periods. Low season dates vary from
destination to destination. Please inquire for details.
All rates on this website are per person and based
on double occupancy, unless otherwise indicated.
If a hotel included in a program is not available
at the time of the reservation, we will substitute
it for a hotel of similar category.
Room and cabin upgrades are available at most hotels
and cruises. Please inquire at the time of reservation.
Most programs can be customized.
All itineraries are subject to change without notice.
Website is for research purposes only.
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