We booked a trip aboard the Fingal of Caledonia for 12 family members in May 2024. We had the time of our lives. We are active folks between 59 and 74 years old. Together we celebrated our common Scottish ancestry and joy in hiking and being outdoors. This trip was a treasure. Gordon Steer of Walkers Britain capably facilitated the arrangements (for we 12, a "charter" designation applied). The accommodations aboard the Fingal barge worked well - while cabins are understandably snug, each has a shower and toilet and sink, and clever storage areas. The social hub aboard the Fingal is remarkably spacious. It's well equipped for socializing and dining (+ there is a small bar). There is a "drying room" available for damp clothing. The canals, locks, and lochs we traveled through and moored at were scenic and mostly calm for our May trip. The daily walks are stunning and varied -- it's not just towpath walking, though -- the lochs are edged by high hills. Several days require fairly demanding switchback walks to get to logging roads and hiking trails above the lochs. The reward is a sequence of stunning views, good places to stop for lunch, and the peace of a day beautifully spent, when we returned to the barge for the overnight. Fingal's crew (Skipper Chris, Bosun Steve, Chef Kevin and Guide Micheál) was outstanding. They are seasoned hosts and crew, and brightened our time on board. Micheál was an outstanding guide on the daily walks - knowledgeable and seasoned in working with groups. And a lot of fun. Similarly, the onboard crew are experts at their roles, and work together well to create a hospitable stay. Chris and Steve kept the boat on track (including through multiple locks daily, which we occasionally watched) and ensured that our travel needs were met. Chris briefed us daily on the next day's walk, using a table-length map and an antler as pointer. He reviewed our progress and ensured that we had all we needed for a comfortable stay. Steve keeps all the systems running on the renovated 1929 barge - he knows it inside out. Kevin prepared gourmet dinners and breakfasts daily, and packed tasty lunches to carry in our daypacks. In sum, I would book this trip again in a heartbeat - it was truly outstanding.
The experience was amazing. We could cover most of the places in the itinerary. The tour guide Neil is funny, knowledgeable and an absolute entertainer. I am definitely recommending these guys to anyone who wants to visit Isle of Skye. My smile in the pictures will tell you how happy I was all the while :) Thank you, tour operator!
Our weeklong barge-supported walking trip across Scotland exceeded our expectations. It proved to be the ideal family reunion/ heritage trip for older adults intent on combining physical activity with discovery. The friendly, expert 4-man crew of the barge "Fingal of Caledonia" led us, fed us, and educated us from Fort William to Inverness. Our week of walking an average of 15 miles per day over undulating terrain (generally on the Great Glen Way) gave us ample time to reconnect with each other, learn about the social and ecological history of Scotland, and experience a variety of stunning landscapes along the Caledonian Canal. The barge was more comfortable than we had imagined, with a commodious living and dining space for socializing. The cabins were small but efficiently designed, with private baths and plenty of hot water. The chef's meals exceeded our expectations, featuring a variety of foods artfully presented. We appreciated the skipper's nightly reviews of the map of the next day's hike, and enjoyed hiking alongside our trail guide who knew the landscape so well. We would definitely recommend this trip!
