Whisky Trail Barge Cruise Itinerary

Spirit of Scotland’s whisky trail barge cruise along the Caledonian Canal and Loch Ness, offers a special itinerary. Whisky lovers will visit a number of long-established distilleries to discover how Scotland’s favorite export is produced, as well, of course, the opportunity to taste it.

These Scottish whisky barge cruises are perfect for single malt enthusiasts, offering distillery tours and on-board tastings.

Sunday, Day 1 – Muirtown

Guests are met at our designated meeting point in Inverness and transferred by private chauffeured minibus to Spirit of Scotland. After your Champagne welcome, meet the crew and stroll to the sea lock overlooking the Firths. Afterwards, savour one of the hotel barge’s many single malts before your first dinner on board.

Monday, Day 2 – Muirtown to Dochgarroch

Cruise this morning to the Muirtown lock flight and through Tomnahurich swing bridge. If you wish, you may walk alongside River Ness to the hamlet of Dochgarroch.

In the afternoon, we visit Benromach, Speyside’s smallest distillery run by family-owned Gordon & MacPhail for over a century. Here, we take a guided tour, followed by a tutored tasting of the classic Benromach Speyside single malt whisky. Returning to the barge, we can stop off at Culloden Moor, scene of the last major battle on British soil in 1746. Alternatively, we can visit the Inverness Whisky Shop to discover its huge range of specialist whiskies. Dinner on board.

Tuesday, Day 3 – Dochgarroch to Fort Augustus

This morning, enjoy a scenic Loch Ness cruise from Dochgarroch to Fort Augustus, perhaps spotting Nessie along the way.

Following lunch on board, we visit the Tomatin Distillery nestled in rolling hills alongside the River Findhorn and founded in 1897. An expert guides our tour, followed by a tutored nosing and tasting of a range of single malts, including some from exclusive casks. Dinner on board.

Wednesday, Day 4 – Fort Augustus to Cullochy

After breakfast, we visit the private Highland Club, a spectacular exclusive set of residences and a former 19th century Benedictine Monastery. Weather permitting, experts treat us to a falconry and birds of prey demonstration on the banks of Loch Ness. You will not forget the majesty of the swooping birds against the backdrop of the sweeping Scottish Highlands.

There is time to explore the pretty village of Fort Augustus before lunch on board, after which our cruise takes us up the “flight”, as the locals call it, at Fort Augustus and then on to our pretty mooring at Cullochy. This evening, we enjoy a tutored private whisky tasting at the charming Glenmoriston Arms Hotel, followed by dinner in the hotel restaurant.

Thursday, Day 5 – Cullochy to Gairlochy

On our cruise today, you can partially walk the path as it crosses the very scenic Loch Oich and onto the pretty Laggan Avenue. En route, our Highland Piper may greet us with traditional Scottish music, before we cruise on across Loch Lochy to our mooring at Gairlochy.

After lunch, we drive through some stunning scenery to visit the Glen Ord distillery, founded in 1838 on the Black Isle by the Mackenzies of Ord. A fascinating description of the maturing and ageing process of single and blended malts naturally follows with a tasting. Dinner on board.

Friday, Day 6 – Gairlochy to Banavie

Today, our final cruise will see us pass through Moy Bridge, the last fully hand-operated bridge on the canal, before mooring at Banavie beneath Ben Nevis and a stroll from Neptune’s Staircase leading down to Loch Eil.

After lunch on board, our tour today takes us to the renowned Dalwhinnie Distillery, standing in the Cairngorms National Park. Here, we are given a tour of the distillery and taste some single malts paired with a selection of delicious chocolates. If time permits, on the drive back to the barge we can also visit the ruins of Old Inverlochy Castle. Captain’s Farewell Dinner and of course, the opportunity to enjoy another wee dram or two.

Saturday, Day 7 – Banavie

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

NOTE:

• On alternate weeks the barge cruise will be in the reverse direction.
• This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change.

SPIRIT OF SCOTLAND > ITINERARIES > Whisky Trail Barge Cruise

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