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Active autumn breaks with a difference

13th September 2013 Print
The Great Glen

There is no better time of the year to visit the Great Glen and Loch Ness in the Scottish Highlands than autumn, when September and October can be mild and fine and the changing seasons dazzling patchwork of foliage on show wherever you look. And there is no better way to experience the wonderful Caledonian Canal and Great Glen Way than on an all-inclusive active break, staying aboard one of Caledonian Discovery’s stunning staffed barges.

Caledonian Discovery is one of Scotland’s leading active break companies with the unique twist that all breaks are barge-based on either the Fingal of Caledonia or Ros Crana. These two large, fully-equipped holiday barges cruise the Great Glen, Loch Ness and the Caledonian Canal in the Highlands of Scotland, providing a unique holiday experience amidst superb Highland scenery. Guests can enjoy a holiday of gentle relaxation or fun and adventure with lots of activity – it is entirely up to them.

After an exhilarating day of cycling or walking the Great Glen, canoeing the Caledonian Canal, or perhaps experiencing the very best of Scottish wildlife up close, guests will return to a home-cooked meal using only the freshest ingredients, share stories of their adventures and make plans for the following day before retiring to their en-suite cabin to prepare for the next day’s activities. What could be better?

The Great Glen Way follows the route of the Caledonian Canal, built in the early 19th century linking the east and west coasts via large inland lochs including Loch Ness. The Great Glen Way follows this waterway, sometimes right alongside the water and other times further away above the lochs and canals. In every section the views can be wonderful with majestic mountains, large expanses of open water, smaller atmospheric lochs and pretty canal sections. All this ensures a wide variety of interesting scenery throughout the trip and a mixture of terrain from towpath to ancient roads and forest tracks.

Caledonian Discovery has active breaks to suit all and currently has the following great autumn deals available:

Available: Sept 17-20 (£385pp) or Sept 28-Oct 1(£375pp)

Inverness to Banavie route

This four day / three night cruise takes you right through the Great Glen covering the same total distance as our week long cruise. This trip can either be more of a cruising only trip or, for the fit and keen, it is possible to cycle the 78 mile coast-to-coast route through the Great Glen on a mixture of towpaths, forest tracks and quiet scenic roads.

With two full days and two part days this trip is an excellent way to cover the Great Glen by bike as the accommodation moves with guests through the Glen each day and all meals are prepared onboard. This short break option is popular with those whose time is limited.

Walk the Great Glen

Available Oct 19-25 (£695pp)

Inverness to Banavie route

This cruise sees guests walk across Scotland from coast to coast with a toe dipping ceremony at either end, taking in the fantastic Highland scenery along the way. The total distance is 78 miles, which is spread over five full days and two part days. At the western end the walk reaches the sea at Loch Linnhe, which is near Fort William and close to Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the UK. At the eastern end is Inverness, the capital of the Highlands, and the Moray Firth, the gateway to the North Sea.

This seven-day holiday offers excellent value and includes all freshly prepared meals, accommodation in twin en-suite cabins and a qualified guide. The best bit is there is no daily packing and unpacking as with other point to point walks as the accommodation travels with you.

This cruise concentrates on walking the Great Glen Way however those who may fancy a rest day or to just do some of the walking can relax on board and watch the scenery drift by.

Caledonian Discovery is also taking bookings for 2014 for its entire range of four and seven day activity cruises costing from £425 to £865 per person, all-inclusive.

Walk the Great Glen
Country Walking
Trails & Glens Biking
Wildlife & Sea Lochs
Highland Hill Walks
Canoe the Great Glen
Bike the Great Glen
Classic Cruise (with full mix of activities & equipment provided)
Music on a Classic Cruise

For more information on Caledonian Discovery, visit caledonian-discovery.co.uk.

More Photos - Click to Enlarge

The Great Glen The Great Glen Fingal