That's the Spirit!

We are delighted to announce the arrival of our new 12-passenger hotel barge “Spirit of Scotland”. She will cruise the Caledonian Canal and lochs of the Great Glen in the heart of the Scottish Highlands, starting June 4, 2017. 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.

We’re absolutely thrilled to bring this elegant hotel barge to Scotland. A cruise aboard her encompasses the true ‘spirit’ of Scotland and is a 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.

The 6-night itinerary will especially appeal to nature lovers, who will enjoy the exceptional scenery and diverse wildlife. It is also ideal for family charters and special interest groups, such as golfers, walkers, foodies, and whisky connoisseurs.

Itinerary highlights include a tour of the Glen Ord whisky distillery, along with a private tasting; a visit to Culloden Moor, scene of the last battle to be fought on British soil; and a tour of Cawdor Castle and gardens, the setting for Shakespeare’s Macbeth. The cruise route also crosses some of Scotland’s famous lochs, such as Lochy, Oich, Dochfour, and, of course, Loch Ness, home of the legendary “Nessie”.

Regional culinary specialties are also on the menu, with the onboard master chef preparing delicious creations using local ingredients such as wild salmon, venison and Aberdeen Angus beef, accompanied by fine wines and artisan Scottish cheeses. And guests are sure to join in the proper “spirit” with a huge selection of single malt whiskies to choose from, such as the Dalwhinnie 15 Year Old and the Singleton of Glen Ord 15 Year Old.

Our cruises on our hotel barge Scottish Highlander, which also navigates the Caledonian Canal, have been extremely popular for the past several years and are sold out for 2017. With the addition of the Spirit of Scotland, guests now have even more opportunity to experience the fabled scenery, history and hospitality of the Scottish Highlands in luxury and comfort.

To mark the occasion, we are offering 10% off all cabins and charters in June and July on the Spirit of Scotland, when booked before March 31, 2017. See can also view our cruise rates here.

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