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Barge

Two barges (the Scottish Highlander and Spirit of Scotland) leave from Inverness and travel the approximate same routes for six days. They pick up passengers in Inverness and drive (approx. 65 miles) to the western  terminus of the Caledonia Canal and meet the barge near Fort Williams. The barge sail northeast and end eastern  terminus of the Caledonia Canal near Inverness.

Also, check the BARGE LADIES website for FAQs. 

Below are TOTAL price for "couple/solo", not including the 5%-10% gratuity.

In hotel barging all payments are non-refundable and Barge Lady encourages Travel Insurance.

1. Joining a group, (individual cabin booking) --- deposit is 25% and final balance due 90 days before departure.

2. Booking the entire barge, (charter booking) --- deposit is 25% and final balance comes due 120 days before departure.




SCOTTISH HIGHLANDER

CATEGORY:  Charming

PASSENGERS: 8

SEASON: VALUE - $11,500/7,150  REGULAR - $12,180/8,290

 

SPIRIT OF SCOTLAND

WEBSITE

CATEGORY:  Premier (add A/C-Htg & Hot Tub)

PASSENGERS:12

SEASON: VALUE - $12,180/8,290  REGULAR - $13,980/9,590




From: Lori Young <Lori@bargelady.com>Sent: November 27, 2023
Subject: Scotland Barge - 2024 2025 Evans party (email edited)

Hello,

My name is Lori Young and I have traveled on our barges in the Scottish Highlands and I’m excited to assist you.  With regards to weather… it can be anyone’s guess given the location of this island nation in the north where air currents from two major bodies of water collide (the North Sea and Atlantic).  My experiences were never a full wash out as opposed to a light mist that carried on for several hours before blowing over.  All that mist results in lush vegetation!!  The cruise season is short, April through October, with April and October both being the chilliest months, and both barges operate a Sunday-Saturday cruise week.  Scotland is super popular and with only the two vessels offered, they do fill fast. 

Visits to iconic castles, formal gardens, and historic battlefields reveal the area's attractions.

The 12-passenger SPIRIT OF SCOTLAND is a nice size if you’re a small party looking to join in with other guests.  She’s a triple-decker barge with plenty of space to spread out.   All cabins are ensuite and equal in size accommodating double occupancy.  

In the event your party is 6-8 guests in total, in this instance I would recommend a private chartered experience on the smaller SCOTTISH HIGHLANDER.  Beautifully appointed with tartan plaids to accommodate up to 8-guests total, she has three ensuite equal cabins, and one that is overall larger. 

The fare includes; 6 nights’ accommodation in cabin with private bath, all meals, wines with lunches and dinners, open bar with a variety of soft beverages as well as coffee and tea, daily guided excursions, bicycles for leisure use, and round-trip chauffeured transfers to and from the city of Inverness and the barge.  

2025 – at this time is great availability.  

SPIRIT OF SCOTLAND – The Spirit of Scotland glides through extraordinary scenery best savored from the spacious sundeck. Guests sip locally produced whiskeys in the smartly appointed salon, while six cozy cabins offer havens of comfort. New and Old World wines are paired with Continental cuisine. 

SCOTTISH HIGHLANDER – On this welcoming barge, the cozy salon is decorated in the proud plaids of the Scottish clans, while four cabins offer handsome havens of comfort. Menus incorporate a gourmet approach to rustic ingredients, paired with both New and Old World wines. Queen and twin-bedded cabins. 

We look forward to welcoming you onboard soon! Click here to enjoy our online brochure.

Kind regards,

Lori

Lori Young | Senior Cruise Consultant | Bio
800.880.0071 or 001.312.245.0900 (outside U.S.)
lori@bargelady.com   www.bargeladycruises.com

OTHER NOTES from Lori:

Payments will be processed here in the U.S. in US Dollar by Barge Lady Cruises (our office is located in Chicago).  At the time of booking, guests are provided access to a private account and our secured online payment portal.

Availability can change daily, and you would need to check with us.  At this time both boats have good availability for spring 2025. When you are ready, just let us know how many guests are in your party along with your top two months to cruise, and we’ll follow up with current availability.



From: Tom  Sent: 11/29/23 to Warren

If you can get "a couple.", we have 5. We only need one more single or couple.
The Highlander (8-person barge) would go for six people.

Here are approximate calculations.
- Regular season is $49,000 (approx.) including gratuity for 6 people.
- Singles would add $4,800 for the supplement.
- Less the supplement leaves $44,200/6 or $7,366 each.

Each couple’s price including gratuity is $14,732. Each solo’s price including gratuity is $9,766. That is a lower price than going ‘individual booking’ on the Spirit. But these barges are quite a bit more expensive than the Magnolia.

Unfortunately, everyone with whom I have talked thinks that is too much for a six-day trip.
I have looked for a riverboat on the Ness and found nothing.

I am also struggling with the “post barge” itinerary due to the availability of convenient flights.
I found another flight in the early AM out of Inverness which would provide trips to the States out of Heathrow. We would have to spend the extra night in Inverness post-barge.