Canal cruises throughout Scotland provide a spectacular view of some of the most inaccessible land in all of Europe. And, of course, there’s Nessie to contend with. Scotland’s most famous lake, Loch Ness is a part of the Caledonian Canal cruise, which actually includes several lochs as part of the canal.
The Caledonian Ship Canal was built essentially to connect the North Sea with the North Atlantic Ocean, eliminating a voyage through stormy waters off the west coast. Today, the freight traffic has died down and most of the boats haul only people – specifically tourists. The Caledonian Canal traverses the spectacular and scenic Great Glen between Fort William and Inverness. The boats usually begin their journey at Inverness and travel up the canal and its 29 locks and 3 lochs to Fort William. Then they reverse course to bring their passengers back to Inverness.
Loch Lochy, Loch Oich and Loch Ness, together, take up 38 miles of the journey; the other 22 miles of actual canal provide the unique opportunity to pass through many locks, including one 500 yard long ladder of eight connected locks.
Unlike most European river boat cruises, which can traverse hundreds of miles, several countries, and take well over a week, a cruise on the Caledonian Canal is only about 60 miles long. Time on board can vary from a few days to a week, so there are plenty of chances to stop, get off the boat, and actually walk through the spectacular scenery.
Level of luxury and individual attention will vary according to the size of the craft, number of passengers and the amount one is willing to pay. The scenery, obviously, is the same no matter which type of cruise is selected.
Finicky weather is almost a guarantee, but it’s the same for everyone; time of year seems to make little difference, but the colors in the fall are particularly noteworthy. Some of the cruises for October, for instance, sell out quickly. The following web sites may provide just the information you’re looking for.
At least three larger boats ply the waters, one, the Scottish Highlander, is a converted barge 117 feet long that carries 8 passengers. The Fingal of Caledonia hosts 12 guests and the Lord of the Glens is a smallish version of the continental river cruisers. The “Lord” has 27 nicely appointed and well-equipped state cabins, all with windows and en-suite facilities.
If a trip dedicated to Loch Ness suits your fancy, Jacobite Cruises specialize in charters and cruises concentrating on this famous lake. Something quite unusual, a cruise on a boat equipped for those with special needs, is provided by Seagull Trust Cruises.
A visit to and ride through the immense Falkirk Wheel should not be missed. This wheel is essentially a giant revolving elevator that raises or lowers boats about 70 feet between the Forth & Clyde Canal and the Union Canal. It can transport up to eight boats at a time. Of course there are many other canal trips that begin a short distance from the major cities and a coastal cruise through the islands of the west and north coast is also available. See Lord of the Glens for this specialty. However, the Caledonian Canal cruise seems to be the one most enjoyed by the most people.
All in all, Scotland offers many different opportunities for the traveler to enjoy the spectacular scenery and canals of this unique and beautiful country.
