Hotel Barge Scottish Highlander: Classic Scotland: 6-Nights

Scottish Highlander has the atmosphere of a comfortable Country House with subtle use of tartan furnishings and landscape paintings, a reminder of the spectacular surroundings to be seen on your voyage through the Great Glen.

At 117 feet long, she is spacious and has every comfort needed for enjoying the magnificence of the Highlands during Spring, Summer and Autumn.

The warm and welcoming saloon features rich-coloured wooden panelling, large picture windows and comfortable leather Chesterfield sofas to relax in, perhaps with a mellow single malt whisky from the very well-stocked bar.

Accommodation for eight guests is in three twin/double staterooms and one larger twin/double junior suite, each one centrally heated and with en suite facilities.

There is a cosy observation area behind the wheelhouse where you can admire the passing scenery and chat to the Captain about life on the Caledonian Canal and its interconnecting lochs. On the forward deck area, there is more seating where you can take in the far-reaching views and take photographs as Scottish Highlander plots her course past landmarks such as Urquhart Castle perched alongside Loch Ness.

A cruise on mystical waterways aboard Scottish Highlander as you marvel at some of Scotland’s finest scenery will be one that stays in the memory for a long time.

Cuisine is traditional Scottish fare – salmon, game and seafood, prepared by your own Master Chef, and the hotel barge’s experienced crew of four will take care of your every need.

Whiskey Themed Cruises are available for Charter: Ask us if you have a group of 8 that are interested. Email us at info@tripmerchant.com

We offer whisky cruises aboard hotel barges Scottish Highlander and Spirit of Scotland along the Caledonian Canal and Loch Ness, with a special itinerary that allows whisky lovers to visit a number of long-established distilleries to find out more about how Scotland’s favourite export is produced, as well, of course, the opportunity to taste it! Whisky cruises can be taken at any time by a group chartering the barge.

There are visits to at least 3 distilleries, each with an impressive pedigree. There is the Benromach Distillery near Forres, a family business founded over 100 years ago and the smallest distillery on Speyside. Here you will be given a guided tour and then enjoy a tutored tasting of the classic Benromach Speyside single malt. On another day, there is a drive through wonderful scenery to the Tomatin distillery, founded in 1897 at the height of the Victorian whisky boom in its beautiful isolated surroundings. Again, a guided tour and a private tasting awaits.

The Dalwhinnie is a very well-known name in the world of the single malt and there will be a visit to the esteemed distillery sited in the Cairngorms National Park. There will not only be an expert to give you a fascinating tour, but the subsequent tasting will match a number of single malts with different chocolates. A perfect combination!

And to offer extra interest on this whisky trail cruises in this beautiful part of the Highlands, there will also be optional visits to historic sites such as Eilean Donan, one of Scotland’s most photographed castles, the famous battlefield of Culloden Moor and the ruins of Urquhart Castle in a spectacular setting overlooking Loch Ness.

The whisky cruise is perfect for single malt whisky enthusiasts, whether they taste the liquid nectar at any of the distilleries we visit, or partake of a wee dram or two from the many whiskies available on Scottish Highlander.

Cruise Highlights