'SCOTTISH HIGHLANDER': CALEDONIAN
CANAL
ITINERARY:
An Introduction to SCOTLAND
The tradition of distilling and maturing Scotch whisky has
evolved over the centuries using methods passed from
generation to generation in a continual process of
refinement. The Ben Nevis Whisky Distillery, established in
1825, is one of the oldest licensed distilleries in Scotland
and one of only five distilleries in the Western Highlands.
Here, uisge beatha -- the water of life -- is manufactured
in all its excellence. "Long John" Macdonald, who personally
presented a cask of his whisky to Queen Victoria, first
built the Distillery. The Legend of the Dew of Ben Nevis
Visitor Center here is built into an old warehouse and
former bottling hall that dates from 1862.
The majestic Caledonian Canal, one of the world's great
waterways, stretches 60 miles from Inverness to Fort
William. Twenty-two miles are made up of manmade canals; and
thirty-eight of its miles are along Loch Lochy, Loch Oich,
and Loch Ness. The Canal was built to provide a route
between eastern and western Scotland that avoided the long,
hazardous route through the Pentland Firth. The initial
construction (between 1803 and 1822) was the first
state-funded transport undertaking in British history. In
the 1840's, a second phase of construction significantly
enlarged the Canal, allowing the movement of larger
commercial vessels.
The imposing ruins of Castle Urqhuart are set on a rocky
peninsula called Strone Point on the banks of Loch Ness.
Because the Point is surrounded by water on three sides and
easily defended from the landward side, there has been some
kind of fortress here since the Iron Age. The earliest
castle here is thought to have been built in the 13th
century. The ruins that remain are mostly 16th century and
include a wall, four turrets, and the keep. Once one of
Scotland's largest fortified residences, the Castle fell
into decay in the 17th century after being blown up to
prevent it from becoming a Jacobite stronghold. From the
site, there are stunning views of Loch Ness.
Cawdor Castle, the home of Lord and Lady Cawdor, is
romantically linked to Macbeth in William Shakespeare's
"Scottish Play" -- even though the 11th-century High King of
the Scots lived several hundred years before construction of
the fortress began. The Castle's ancient medieval tower was
built in 1454 around a legendary holly tree, which can still
be seen in the keep's vaulted cellar. The house has evolved
since then, with many 17th-century additions made in the
Scottish vernacular style. The interior holds fine furniture
and a collection of portraits, tapestries, and family
objects. There are three gardens on the Castle's wooded
grounds: a Walled Garden dating from 1600, a Flower Garden
laid out a century later, and a Wild Garden that was more
recently planted in the 1960's.
Positioned at the meeting point of three sea lochs on
Scotland's west coast, Eilean Donan Castle is near the
picturesque village of Dornie. The name Eilean Donan is
Gaelic for "island of Donan," after a 7th-century saint who
is thought to have lived here as a religious hermit.
Although the island has been a fortified site for at least
800 years, the present building dates largely from the 20th
century. After suffering much destruction in 1719, the
Castle was left abandoned for the next two hundred years.
John MacRae-Gilstrap purchased it in 1911 and began an
extensive, 20-year restoration. It has since become one of
Scotland's most photographed castles and was featured in the
1984 movie, Highlander.
Fort Augustus sits on the Caledonian Canal in the Great Glen
at the southern end of Loch Ness. Its Caledonian Canal
Heritage Center is an excellent place to gain insight into
the history and operation of the Canal. In the village, a
staircase of five locks raises and lowers vessels over a
vertical distance of forty feet. Originally named after St.
Cummein who built a church on the site, the town was
re-named after a son of King George II when a fort was
constructed here after the 1715 Jacobite uprising. Almost
nothing remains of the fort, however; and only parts of it
were incorporated into a Benedictine Abbey built here in
1876. Fort Augustus also has a charming heather-laced 9 or
18-hole golf course where the official greens keepers are
sheep!
One of the world's most famous lakes, Loch Ness is a place
of outstanding natural beauty. Beginning at Lochend, a few
miles outside of Inverness, the Loch continues all the way
southward to Fort Augustus. Conifer trees and heather,
offering a stunning backdrop to the moody waters, cover most
of its steep banks. The Loch is situated on a migratory
flight path between the Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea
and, therefore, attracts a large population of birds. The
great fame of Loch Ness, however, is attributed to its
famous monster, which was first reportedly by Saint Columba
in 565 A.D. The story, passed down for only a century, was
resurrected in the 1930's when regular sightings were again
reported. The strange currents that move across and below
the Loch's surface undoubtedly contribute to the continuance
of the legend.
The most impressive single engineering feat on the
Caledonian Canal is Neptune's Staircase of locks, located at
Banavie just north of Fort William. Built by Thomas Telford
between 1803 and 1822, this ladder of eight locks allows
boats to travel between the Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea
without braving the treacherous waters of the Pentland
Firth. Vessels are raised or lowered a vertical distance of
64 feet in just one mile. Following a vessel through the
locks is an ideal way to understand how this deceptively
simple process works.
The attractive village of Spean Bridge is nestled in the
foothills of Britain's highest mountains and is an important
railway junction on the line to Fort William. Although
Thomas Telford constructed a bridge here in 1819, Spean
Bridge is actually named for an earlier High Bridge built
about a mile to the west by General Wade. A short distance
northeast of the village is the Commando Memorial, where
three soldiers of World War II stand sculpted in bronze
surveillance of their training area to the west.
SUNDAY
Meet at Glenmoriston Town House Hotel in Inverness for a
transfer to 'Scottish Highlander,' moored at Dochgarroch.
After a champagne welcome, cruise along the heather-lined
canal.
MONDAY
Visit 14th-century Cawdor Castle, forever linked by
Shakespeare with Macbeth, with its beautiful landscaped
gardens. Continue to Culloden Moor, the site of the final
defeat of Bonnie Prince Charlie and his Jacobite Rebellion
of 1745. After lunch, cruise to Fort Augustus, passing the
south shore of Loch Ness with its abundant wildlife, to moor
near Fort Augustus Abbey. Tonight, the local piper
entertains on board.
TUESDAY
Cruise up the staircase of five locks through the
village of Fort Augustus. After lunch, visit Urquhart
Castle, a ruined stronghold strategically positioned on a
rocky peninsula on the banks of Loch Ness. Dine this evening
with fellow travellers at a local restaurant.
WEDNESDAY
After a morning cruise to Cullochy Locks via Kytra,
drive through Glen Moriston and highland countryside to
romantic Eilean Donan Castle, the idyllic setting for the
film Highlander.
THURSDAY
Leave Cullochy Locks for a morning cruise via two locks
at Laggan through Lochs Oich and Lochy to Gairlochy. At
Spean Bridge, visit either the World War II Commando
Memorial or the local woolen mill, offering traditional
knitwear and tweeds.
FRIDAY
Visit the evocative battlefields of Glencoe, returning
to 'Scottish Highlander' by way of the Glen Nevis Distillery
for insights into the secrets of whisky making (including a
tipple or two). Your final cruise to Corpach is via
Neptune's Staircase, a spectacular flight of eight locks, a
feat appropriately followed by a gala farewell dinner on
board your barge.
SATURDAY
After breakfast, transfer to The Lime Tree Hotel in Fort
William where your tour ends.
Note: This route is run in reverse on alternate weeks.
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