scotland barge cruise

Spirit of Scotland is a Deluxe category barge.

This barge is perfect for: Couples, Families, Groups of friends, Nature lovers, Whiskey connoisseurs, Historic interest, Golf.

Spirit of Scotland is one of the newest additions to our European Waterways collection and offers a wonderful cruise on the Caledonian Canal and lochs of the Great Glen, exploring the heart of the Scottish Highlands. One of the most stylishly-designed in the fleet, the three-level hotel barge evokes the spirit of the traditional steamers that plied the lochs of Scotland in bygone eras.

A cruise aboard this barge encompasses the true ‘spirit’ of Scotland and is a very special addition to our collection. It also means we now have a choice of two hotel barges in the region, with “Spirit of Scotland” complementing our existing vessel, the 8-passenger ‘Scottish Highlander’, with its more country house atmosphere.

Among the largest in our fleet, the Spirit of Scotland features three decks of living and entertainment space. The lower deck boasts six fully modern, air-conditioned staterooms, with en suite bathrooms and a choice of twin or double beds. The spacious middle deck features bright and spacious saloon and dining areas with picture windows, a bar and an integral forward wheelhouse that gives guests an unobstructed view of the route ahead.

Outside there is a sheltered deck with a covered dining terrace and a heated jacuzzi, while the full-length upper sundeck is the perfect place for relaxing and admiring the stunning Highlands scenery as the barge glides sedately along the Caledonian Canal and across mystical lochs.

Read our special story about a cruise on Spirit of Scotland HERE

SPIRIT OF SCOTLAND AT A GLANCE:

12 PASSENGERS

6 TWIN/DOUBLE CABINS WITH EN-SUITE BATHROOMS
130 sq. feet

5 CREW

126 FEET (38 METRES) LONG

AIR CONDITIONING/CENTRAL HEATING

JACUZZI

AIR CONDITIONED MINIBUS FOR EXCURSIONS

Itinerary

Cruise Itinerary

Banavie to Muirtown

Sunday, Day 1 Banavie

Guests are met at the Glenmoriston Townhouse Hotel in Inverness and transferred by private chauffeured minibus to Spirit of Scotland. A champagne welcome by the Captain and crew and perhaps an early evening stroll before our first dinner on board.

Monday, Day 2 Banavie to Laggan

Our excursion today will take us to the mystical area of Glencoe, renowned for its geographical beauty and famed for one of the darkest days in Scottish history. Alternatively, we can enjoy some breath-taking panoramic views on a cable car ride to the summit of Aonach Mor mountain. If time permits we can visit the ruins of the 13th century, Old Inverlochy Castle, before embarking on our first cruise, through Moy Bridge, the last hand-operated bridge of its type on the Caledonian Canal. En route, we may visit the Clan Cameron Museum, before 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. Dinner on board.

Tuesday, Day 3 Laggan to Cullochy

Today, we take in some of the finest scenery Scotland has to offer as we drive to one of its best known and most photographed castles, Eilean Donan, which has featured in movies such as “Highlander” and James Bond’s “The World Is Not Enough” and overlooks three sea lochs.
Our afternoon cruise today takes us across the very scenic Loch Oich, with the opportunity of enjoying a walk en route, then onto our pretty mooring at Cullochy. Dinner on board.

Wednesday, Day 4 Cullochy to Fort Augustus

This morning we cruise to Fort Augustus and down the “flight” as the locals call it, to moor opposite the Benedictine Abbey at the entrance to Loch Ness. After lunch on board, we encounter some of Scotland’s bloody past as we visit the ruins of Urquhart Castle in a spectacular setting overlooking Loch Ness, then take a gentle drive to the Invermoriston Falls and the “Old Bridge” designed by Thomas Telford where you may even see a salmon leaping. This evening we have dinner ashore at a local restaurant.

Thursday, Day 5 Fort Augustus to Dochgarroch

This morning we enjoy a picturesque cruise across world-famous Loch Ness, with perhaps a chance of spotting “Nessie”, before mooring at the hamlet of Dochgarroch. After lunch we visit Cawdor Castle*, forever immortalised in Shakespeare’s “Scottish Play”. The picturesque gardens have been listed as being amongst the top 100 in the UK. The castle contains a superb collection of tapestries, pictures and furnishings and is still in use as a home for the Dowager Countess of Cawdor who resides there for several months of the year. Then we visit Culloden Moor, scene of the last major battle on British soil in 1746 and end our tour at the Clava Cairns, a pre-historic clan chieftain burial site dating back to 2000 B.C. Dinner on board.

Friday, Day 6 Dochgarroch to Muirtown

Today, our final cruise will take us through Tomnahurich swing bridge and then the locks to Muirtown, where there will be the opportunity to take a bicycle ride or walk to the sea lock with wonderful views over the Moray and Beauly Firths. After lunch we drive through stunning hill scenery to take a closer look at one of Scotland’s best known exports, whisky, at the Glen Ord distillery, founded in 1838 on the Black Isle by the Mackenzie’s of Ord. A fascinating description of the maturing and ageing process of single and blended malts is followed by our special tasting. Captain’s Farewell Dinner on board.

Saturday, Day 7 Muirtown

After breakfast, guests are transferred by private chauffeured minibus to their choice of location in Inverness.

*On alternate weeks the cruise will be in the reverse direction.

Read our special story about a cruise on Spirit of Scotland HERE

Prices

2019 PRICES

Accommodation	Value	Regular
Stateroom per person	€3,950.00	€4,550.00
Single Supplement	€1,450.00	€1,700.00
Charter Max. 8 pax.	€39,900.00	€45,800.00
Charter Max. 9 pax.	€41,200.00	€47,300.00
Charter Max. 10 pax.	€42,200.00	€48,500.00
Charter Max. 11 pax.	€43,200.00	€49,700.00
Charter Max. 12 pax.	€44,200.00	€50,900.00

Note all our prices are in Euros. We convert to Australian dollars at current exchange rates on the day of payment of deposit/full payment.

Departure Dates 2019 (Sunday)	Rate
April 14, 21, 28	Val
May 05	Val
May 12, 19, 26	Reg
June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30	Reg
July 7, 14, 21, 28	Reg
August 4, 11, 18, 25	Reg
September 1, 8, 15, 22	Reg
September 29	Val
October 6, 13, 20	Val

Inclusions: Local transfers between Inverness and the hotel barge (the approximate transfer duration is 15mins or 2hrs depending on the cruise direction), a luxury 6 night cruise, all meals on board catered for by the on board Master Chef, an open bar 24/7 with a large range of alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks including a Whisky bar, all wines served throughout the cruise, excursions and admittance fees as per the itinerary, the services of 6 crew and use of barge facilities, which include bicycles and an outdoor spa-pool.

Gallery

Spirit of Scotland Looking Down to the dining area

Floorplan

SPIRIT OF SCOTLAND FLOORPLAN

barge cruise scotland

Specials

Please see our Specials Page for current specials!

Category: Deluxe