Banner

Spirit of Scotland

Garden Cruise Itinerary

Scottish Garden Cruise

ITINERARY*

Sunday, Day 1 Muirtown

Guests are met at the Kingsmills Hotel in Inverness** and transferred by private chauffeured minibus to Spirit of Scotland. A Champagne Welcome awaits and perhaps an early evening stroll to the sea lock with wonderful views over the Moray and Beauly Firths. Dinner on board.

Monday, Day 2 Muirtown to Dochgarroch

Our first cruise will take us up the Muirtown lock flight and through the Tomnahurich swing bridge, with an option to walk alongside River Ness to the hamlet of Dochgarroch. After lunch on board, we visit Cawdor Castle, forever immortalised in Shakespeare’s “Scottish Play”, Macbeth. The picturesque gardens have been listed amongst the top 100 in the UK and we make a tour escorted by the Head Gardener. The castle contains a superb collection of tapestries, pictures and furnishings and the Dowager Countess of Cawdor still lives there for part of the year. If time allows, then we take a tour of Clava Cairns, a pre-historic clan chieftain burial site dating back to 2,000 B.C and setting for the Outlander TV. Dinner on board.

Tuesday, Day 3 Dochgarroch to Foyers

This morning we enjoy a visit to Abriachan Nurseries, set on the shores of Loch Ness with their mix of native and exotic plantings. We wander the woodland paths before setting sail through Loch Dochfour and across Loch Ness, where en-route we pass Urquhart Castle, navigating closely beneath its spectacular 13th century ruins, before continuing our cruise to the village of Foyers. Here we can take a trip to Tomatin Distillery, established in 1897 and set iun the hills, to learn more about whisky production and of course, have a tasting. Alternatively, we can climb through the lochside woods to the spectacular Falls of Foyers. Dinner on board.

Wednesday, Day 4 Foyers to Kytra

After breakfast, we cruise across the southern end of Loch Ness to Fort Augustus where we visit the private Highland Club, a spectacular exclusive set of residences and a former 19th century Benedictine Monastery. Here we are treated to a falconry and birds of prey demonstration*** on the banks of Loch Ness, and the majesty of the swooping birds against the backdrop of the sweeping Scottish Highlands is not easily forgotten. There is time to explore the pretty village of Fort Augustus before lunch on board, after which our cruise takes us up the “flight of locks” and then on to our pretty mooring at Kytra where our Highland Piper may greet us with a stirring rendition of traditional Scottish music. Dinner on board.

Thursday, Day 5 Kytra to Laggan

Today we make an early start for a drive through dramatic scenery to the west coast to visit the Attadale Gardens , set in the grounds of a castle with woodland, Japanese and herb gardens and magnificent vistas of the mountains. We have lunch at a local restaurant offering traditional highland fare before returning to the barge. We then take a late afternoon cruise through pretty Loch Oich and cruise tree lined Laggan Avenue to our mooring on the canal. Dinner on board.

Friday, Day 6 Laggan to Banavie

On our final cruise today, we cross Loch Lochy to Gairlochy, where we rejoin the canal and continue on to Moy Bridge, the last fully hand-operated bridge on the waterway. From here it is a short cruise to our mooring at Banavie beneath Ben Nevis. After lunch on board, we head to Arisaig and the Wild Woodland Garden of Larachmhor, created by eccentric entrepreneur John Holms in the 1920s with later support from the Edinburgh Royal Horticultural Garden and famed for its 200 varieties of rhododendrons. Return to the barge for Captain’s Farewell Dinner on board.

Saturday, Day 7 Banavie

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

* Other locations available for Private Charter bookings 

** Weather dependant 

This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change.

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

CONTACT US ABOUT THIS CRUISE

    I confirm that I have read and agree to European Waterways Privacy Policy.

    Cruise Route

    Caledonian Canal Maps Scotland

    Photo Gallery

    Spirit of Scotland

    Spirit of Scotland is a deluxe, 12 passenger hotel barge that cruises the Caledonian Canal and Loch Ness in the magnificent Scottish Highlands

    12 Passengers 6 Crew More Details

    Related Articles

    Top 10 Best Things to do in the Scottish Highlands

    Experience the natural beauty of the Scottish Highlands guided by our top 10 things to do, to see the best landscapes, lochs and architecture in the region. Read More

    Exploring Urquhart Castle, a Highlight of the Scottish Highlands

    Awe-inspiring views, and a dark yet fascinating history abound at this unique spot on the banks of the world-famous Loch Ness... Read More

    Guide to Scottish Beer & Brewing in Scotland

    The Scottish beer industry is thriving and with more than 100 breweries operating the variety and quality of Scottish beers and ales on offer is greater than ever Read More

    A Beginner’s Guide to Whisky

    Whisky is fascinating. There are hundreds of variations, yet very few whiskies taste alike. Find out more in our beginners guide to Whisky Read More

    X