'Scottish Highlander'

Banavie to Dochgarroch Cruise Itinerary

Sunday, Day 1 Inverness to Banavie
At 4pm we meet at the Glenmoriston Town House Hotel in Inverness and transfer to Scottish Highlander moored at Banavie. A Champagne welcome is followed by time for a walk or cycle along the towpath before dinner aboard.

Monday, Day 2 Banavie to Gairlochy
In the morning we visit the mystic battlefields of Glencoe, followed by a visit to the Glen 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 Gairlochy. Return to the barge for dinner aboard.

Tuesday, Day 3 Gairlochy to Fort Cullochy Lock
This morning there is a chance to see either the World War 2 Commando Memorial, the woollen mill at Spean Bridge selling traditional knitwear and tweeds or the Clan Cameron Museum. Leave Gairlochy for an afternoon cruise via two locks at Laggan, through Lochs Oich and Lochy and through Cullochy, mooring below the lock.

Wednesday, Day 4 Cullochy to Fort Augustus
This morning we drive through Glen Moriston and stunning highland countryside to romantic Eilean Doonan castle, setting for the film Highlander. Eilean Doonan castle has an idyllic island setting with commanding views of three sea lochs. Following the abortive Jacobite rising of 1719, the ruins were abandoned for 200 years until the 20th century when a complete reconstruction was undertaken. On the way back we visit a deer farm. We rejoin the barge and cruise to Fort Augustus where we dine out at The Caledonian Hotel.

Thursday, Day 5 Fort Augustus
In the morning we have plenty of time to look around the pretty Caledonian village of Fort Augustus before making our way down the staircase of five locks. After lunch we visit Urquhart Castle or with family charters explore the Nessie Museum. There is also a picnic opportunity today.

Friday, Day 6 Fort Augustus to Dochgarroch
In the morning we leave Fort Augustus and cruise the South Shore of Loch Ness and Loch Dochfour passing Urquhart Castle, seeing an abundance of wildlife en route. This afternoon we visit the 14th 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’s and Campbell battle in the 13th century. Captains Farewell Dinner aboard.

Saturday Day 7 Dochgarroch to Inverness
Passengers disembark around 9.30am for the transfer to Inverness by minibus after a hearty Scottish breakfast.

On alternate weeks the itinerary is in reverse direction.

Dochgarroch to Banavie Cruise Itinerary

Sunday, 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.

Monday, Dochgarroch to Fort Augustus
This morning we visit the 14th 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’s and Campbell Battle in the 13th 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. Tonight we often invite the local piper on board. Dinner aboard.

Tuesday, 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 or with family charters explore the Nessie Museum. There is also a picnic opportunity today. 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.

Wednesday, 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 20C when a complete reconstruction was undertaken. Dinner aboard.

Thursday, Cullochy Locks to Gairlochy
Leave Cullochy Locks for a morning cruise via two locks at Laggan 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.

Friday, Gairlochy to Banavie
Morning visit to the mystic battlefields of Glencoe. On the way back visit the Glen 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 lochs that is a spectacular feat of engineering. Farewell Captain’s Dinner on board.

Saturday, Banavie to Inverness
Passengers disembark for the transfer to Inverness by minibus after a hearty Scottish breakfast arriving in Inverness by about 10.30am.

On alternate weeks the itinerary is in reverse direction. This itinerary is subject to change.