Our Loch Linnhe, Caledonian Canal and Loch Ness 6-night cruise is a relaxing, sheltered water cruise which journeys through the very heart of Scotland, through outstanding scenery. The cruise is a luxurious experience aboard Emma Jane, with ensuite cabins, spacious saloons and decks, a gourmet menu, accompanied onshore excursions, lots of wildlife and even a hot tub! Book Now!
Cruise availability
Our 2019 cruises are fully booked apart from one cabin on our Loch Linnhe, Caledonian Canal and Loch Ness 6-night cruise. This cruise has two departure dates for 2020 on September 19th and 26th. These dates are currently also available for private cruise charter at a 10% discount.
Here is a typical itinerary for the Loch Linnhe, Caledonian Canal and Loch Ness 6-cruise, which may change a little depending on cruising conditions. The itinerary is reversed on September 26th 2020, departing from Inverness. Guests can bring their own cycles on board as there are excellent cycling opportuntiies.
- From Oban, Cruise Loch Linnhe, a stunningly beautiful west coast sea loch, passing the picturesque and quintessentially Scottish castle, Castle Stalker, watching out for dolphins, eagles, seals and otters.
- Anchor off the Island of Lismore, good for sunsets and a coastal stroll.
- Cruise through the Corran Narrows with a “tide race” of fast moving currents. There are stunning views across to Glencoe and Ben Nevis with possible sightings of deer, otters and golden eagles.
- Enter the Caledonian Canal at Corpach and navigate Neptune’s Staircase, just one of the many amazing feats of engineering that make up the Canal. The Staircase is a series of 8 locks and travels up 70 feet in height, the longest staircase lock in the UK..
- Take a shore trip to Clan Cameron Museum and Achnacarry Castle with its lovely gardens and turbulent Ka-Aig Falls.
- Cruise Loch Lochy and into Laggan locks, before entering beautiful Loch Oich. Overnight as Aberchalder, and enjoy a shore side stroll, watching out for pine marten.
- Cruise to Fort Augustus and enjoy the impressive canal lock in the centre of the village. Explore this delightful village which has lots to see, or enjoy a beer watching the boats manoeuvre through the staircase.
- Enjoy an evening walk at Foyers with fabulous views to the west across Loch Ness to watch the sun setting below the hills and maybe a dram at the famous Graigdarroch Inn.
- Cruise across Loch Ness to the famous Urquhart Castle, one of the largest castles in Scotland, with one of the bloodiest histories. The castle ruins are very evocative with a very good audio/visual display and excellent visitor centre. Nessie hunters might want to visit the centre at nearby Drumnadrochit with lots of woodland walks. Anchor at Dochgarroch lock, which is very picturesque with many boats and yachts.
- Cruise Loch Dochfour with a walk ashore along a woodland path redolent of “Swallows and Amazons”, then onwards to Inverness and into the Muirtown basin at the very north end of the Canal for the final night anchorage.
We were so pleased with the charter booking from the initial emails inquiring about dates available to the last minute questions and timely responses as we prepared to head to Scotland. Emma is professional, kind, and prompt in responding by email. We appreciate good customer service and yours is excellent. Since this was our second cruise with Skipper James and the Emma Jane, we knew what to expect about anchorages and visiting the islands. However, this cruise exceeded any expectations we had. We enjoyed returning to some islands we had previously visited and seeing new places. We continue to be overwhelmed by our visit to St. Kilda (thank you, Skipper James!) and seeing the many, many species and numbers of birds throughout the cruise that were not around in these numbers in September 2017. James knows much about all aspects of the Hebrides; if he doesn’t know an answer, he says that he doesn’t know. I like that. Will was knowledgeable about cetaceans, birds, plants, and extremely helpful to those of us who decided to take some of the walks that included narrow and muddy trails with steep inclines. He was available to offer a hand or arm to steady us as we hiked up and down the hills. Anchoring in protected areas overnight is an extraordinary experience—the quiet, the skies, the gentle rocking of the vessel. All ten of us on this charter live on bodies of water—bays, lakes, ocean. Anchoring in coves next to small villages or near an unpopulated island is special. The cruise was extra special. We were made to feel welcomed back and our friends from New Hampshire were thrilled with their experiences seeing the Hebrides and the wildlife, scenery, remoteness, and the comfort of the Emma Jane.
Angela & David Hiley: 8 June 2019Private Charter 10 Nights