Puffer Steamboat Holiday on the Caledonian Canal

We welcome you on board at Corpach, Fort William. On Monday morning we steam off out of the sea lock and explore Loch Linnhe toward the Corran Narrows and Loch Eil, where the Puffer worked during the war. We return in the afternoon into the Caledonian Canal which was built by Thomas Telford in 1822. On Tuesday we climb Neptune’s Staircase, make our way to Gaerlochy and walk up to Loch Arkaig on the Achnacarry estate, perhaps visiting the Cameron Museum.

On Wednesday we continue along the canal, anchoring in quiet leafy Loch Oich by Invergarry Castle and walk around the estate. On to Fort Augustus and its Benedictine Abbey, via Cullochy and Kytra locks when the intrepid may wish to walk along the towpath, following the boat and picking wild fungi, blackberries and nuts.

On Thursday morning we set off early and travel to Foyers on Loch Ness for a quick walk up to the waterfall, then on to Inverness in time for shopping and perhaps an evening visit to the Eden Court theatre or cinema. We have developed a little extra itinerary (at a reasonably small extra cost) by taking taxis to either Cawdor or Brodie Castles via the ancient Klava Cairns. On Friday we hope to leave the canal at Clachnaharry sea-lock and travel under the Black Isle bridge, down the Firth to Chanonry Point opposite Fort George and puff amongst dolphins and porpoises.

We return to Muirtown Canal Basin, Inverness and if travelling by car, we provide free mini-bus transport back to your vehicle.

The itinerary are the same as Cruise H, although the return transport arrangements arereversed. You join at Muirtown Canal Basin, Inverness and the journey ends at Corpach, Fort William.