Latest News with Caledonian Discovery
7th May 2013
Ros Crana set off on Saturday with her first guest exciting times for Caledonian Discovery press release is below!
Highland firm ‘Barges’ its way to success.
Lochaber based Caledonian Discovery, an acclaimed Scottish holiday company this week launched their second bespoke holiday barge on the Caledonian Canal.Ros Crana, the new vessel, set sail with her first customers on Saturday 4th May from Muirtown locks in Inverness. The newly decked out barge and her sister ship, the renowned and well loved, Fingal of Caledonia climbed the locks at Muirtown together, providing a unique spectacle for the many passers-by.With just 12 guests on each trip, the firm offers a variety of cruises on the Caledonian Canal and Loch Ness during the holiday season. The company are well used to the attention with cruises on the Fingal of Caledonia being featured widely in the press and television. With the firm earning rave reviews from some of the industry’s most respected experts Ros Crana, seems set to follow in ‘Fingals wake’ already causing a stir amongst boating and canal enthusiasts. Each trip on one of the barges incorporates optional outdoor activities, such as hill-walking, canoeing, sailing and mountain-biking.Martin Balcombe, Managing Director of Caledonian Discovery Ltd enthused about the launch “Launching a new boat is an exciting step forward for our company. Bookings are already up year on year and we are on target to double our customer numbers.” It’s not all plain sailing though as Mr Balcombe continued “In these economic times no business can be complacent and you need to change and adapt, we also now offer the barges for high quality static accommodation during the winter months at their base at Neptune’s Staircase in Fort William.” It’s this approach that seems to ensure Caledonian Discovery’s continued success.
Ros Crana’s first cruise is music themed and is fully booked with new and returning customers.
3rd April 2013
Fingal set sail on her first Walk the Great Glen cruise of the season on Saturday in fantastic weather which the area has been enjoying for weeks now while the rest of the country seems to to buried deep in snow! We have a very busy few weeks ahead as Martin puts the final touches to Ros Crana for her first cruise in May, long may the sunshine continue.........
5th March 2013
We still have availability in all of our Walk the Great Glen cruises in April 2013 and they are now all available at £695 per person a saving of up to £100 per person. April is a great time to walk in the glen before the midges arrive and more often than not we have great weather at this time of year. Treat yourself to a spring break!
14th January 2013
Happy New Year to you all, we have just released our 2014 cruising schedule and you can view it here - 2014
4th December 2012
Breaking News...........
We have extended our 2013 cruises on Fingal and are now running both barges throughout August and into September. These new weeks include 2 new holiday types namely Country Walking and Trails and Glens Biking check the schedule here!
27th November 2012
We have a fantastic article in the Canals, Rivers and Boats magazine this month. We are absolutely delighted with the coverage reading it increases our excitement about next season. Check it out here
24th October 2012
The last week of our season has been one of the best weather weeks of the year, clear blue skies, warm at times with exceptional autumn scenery making for a stunning time to take a cruise.
Ben Nevis from the Corpach sea lock
Laggan Avenue
4th September 2012
Our second barge, aptly named ‘Ros Crana’, was launched yesterday from Corpach Boat Yard to travel to the top of Neptune’s Staircase where she will undergo an internal refit. The company has a fairly tight deadline as Ros Crana has bookings for May 2013, when she will cruise the Caledonian Canal in opposite directions to her sister barge ‘Fingal of Caledonia’. Following a competition a previous customer suggested the name from John Macpherson’s Tales of Ossian where Ros Crana is the wife of Fingal.
Martin Balcombe, Company Director, said “Today is another stage in the development of Ros Crana. The boat yard have done a tremendous job with the engineering work and paint job, we now have a very busy winter ahead getting her ready for her first cruise”. Passers-by showed great interest as she climbed the eight locks up to the top of Neptune’s staircase.
14th August 2012
Fingal was involved in assisting a rescue on Loch Ness and seems the crew were a crucial part of getting the casualty to hospital efficiently. So a big Well Done to them! Read all about it here
It was described as an 'exceptional meeting of the Loch Community' in an article by the Press and Journal. We are happy to report that the casualty is now and home and is recovering well.
12th July 2012
Lovely view of Ben Nevis as we arrived at Gairlochy locks on the last night of the Classic Cruise. Cruisers had been treated to viewings of Osprey nesting in Bunarkaig Bay and Stags grazing in the hill just next to where Fingal stopped for lunch!
4th July 2012
First news in a while due the starting in post of Chloe the new marketing administrator yesterday.
Ros Crana descended Neptunes staircase yesterday afternoon to take up residence at the boat yard for rennovation and of course renaming over the next few months.
She just fits between the lock gates at 44m long!
29th February 2012 . . .
and she will be named "Ros Crana of Caledonia"
In John Macpherson's Tales of Ossian, Ros Crana was the wife of Fingal and the mother of Ossian.
28th February 2012
The new name for the second barge will be announced tomorrow..........
21st February 2012
Martin and Rob are heading off to Holland to start a few renovation jobs on the new barge! They will wait until the weather improves in April before bringing her back across the North Sea.
30th January 2012
Martin is now the proud owner of a new barge. It is still in Holland getting altered so that it will be 44metres long so that it will fit in the locks on the Caledonian Canal.
18th January 2012
Have you seen the BBC Countryfile Magazine for February? Check out what Julia Bradbury has to say about her favourite Canalside Walks on page 76...the Caledonian Canal is Number 1 !
Merry Christmas and a Happy New year to you!
Winter near Ben Nevis!
Wednesday 16th November
Fingal is currently parked at Gairlochy until after Christmas!
Monday 24th October
Fingal is making her final cruise of the season from Inverness to Fort William. The guests are Walking the Great Glen. The Autumn colours are fantastic.
Thursday 20th October
This is the second last cruise of the season. Walk the Great Glen Guests have experienced some chilly sunny days. There was even a sprinkling of snow on the hills yesterday as all 12 guests set off from Alt Sigh on the side of Loch Ness.
Monday19th September
Here is a fantastic picture from last weeks Highland Hill Walks Cruise. It was taken near the summit of Ben Bhan on Thursday.
Skye and Stan near the summit of Ben Bhan at the South end of the Great Glen. The weather was fantastic!
Gilly, Skye, John, George and Stan all ready for climbing Ben Tee in the Great Glen on Wednesday 14th September 2011.
Tuesday 16th August
Fingal has had a great few months. we have had lots of positive feedback from our guests about everything from the food, to the activties, to the instruction and even the weather!
"Have done quite a bit of cycling, walking and canoeing and have had a lot of fun.....We are very impressed with the organization and hard work that has gone into everthing." Jane and John. August 2011
Tuesday 28th June
Evening picture of Fingal moored at Dochgaroch near Inverness. This is often the place where Fingal spends the first or last night of a cruise depending if your cruising East to West or West to East!!
Tuesday 21st June
We have received a copy of the article written in Trail Magazine earlier this year. Click below to see what they had to say
They had a great walking week testing our
Highland Hill Walks - Munros and Corbetts Cruise.
We do have a few cabins available on this cruise which starts on 10th September 2011 in Inverness!
Friday 17th June
Fingal has just enjoyed a good wildlife week with leader Fred Gordon onboard. Many dolphins were seen playing in the Moray Firth on Wednesday and Thursday. Guests were entertained by a mother and calf swimming under the barge.
During the week osprey were seen everyday along with red kite, peregrine falcon aand many many more!
Wednesday 8th June 2011
Relief skipper Dave is onbord this week. He has a new Soft Shell Jacket!
Tuesday 7th June 2011
Fingal and the crew were the club house and support boat for a unique event : Sail Caledonia This is a Coast to Coast race for traditionally inspired boats under sail and oar. The weather was particularly challenging which went meant for great racing!
Monday 30th May 2011
Last week Nick Picozzi, our wildlife expert, took this fabulous photo of a Pomarine Squa while cruising on Loch Lochy. Guests were also entertained watching an otter fishing on Loch Linnhe.
10th May 2011
Simon Calder from The Independent holidayed with us in April. To see what he has to say about his trip on "Fingal" see here ... The Independent
3rd May 2011
We have had an excellent start to the season. The weather has been fantastic and the boat has been very busy! We have had lots of repeat customers and various new ones including Ann-Marie from the office. She joined the office team in December and is now fully knowledgable about our operations!
Julia Bradbury and the BBC team recently filmed "Fingal of Caledonia" as they were on the Caledonian Canal. It was shown on BBC Channel 4 last night.
Below is a picture taken of Nix and "new girl" Ann-Marie. Both work in the office and are there to answer the phone in person! They work alongside Lynda in accounts..
25th March 2011
It's getting really exciting at the top of Neptune's Staircase as Fingal is almost ready for cruising next week! Our first guests arrive on Tuesday.
14th February 2011
Happy Valentine's Day!
We are now planning a Cycle the Great Glen during our week of Mini Cruises in April 2011. This is the perfect combination for those couples where one is a keen biker while the other is keen to relax! The price is £395 per person and includes all food and activties!
Click here for more!
25th January 2011
We have had a fantastic winter so far with lots of cold crisp days with plenty of blue sky and snow on the ground!
Rob has returned and is living and working on the barge getting the boat ready for the 2011 season.
10th January 2011
To our previous guests and enquirers I hope you have recently received a Newsletter from us. If not please email us and we will pop one in the post to you.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you!
Fingal is now berthed at the top of Neptune's Staircase for the winter. The weather has been fantastic. We have yet to receive the mega amounts of snow that have fallen on the rest of the country.
Saturday 30th October to Wednesday 3rd November
Martin's Mini Cruise
Martin's 50th Birthday was celebrated with his family from England. His Dad, brothers and sisters, niece's and nephews along with Cariie and Joshua and Freya all joined him for the "Coming Home" cruise!
Crew
Skipper : Davie Irons
Instructor : Sol
Bosun: Ali
Cook : Tree
Saturday 23rd October to Friday 29th October
Walk the Great Glen
Crew
Skipper : Davie Irons
Instructor : Sol
Bosun: Ali
Cook : Tree
Saturday 16th October to Friday 22nd October
Walk the Great Glen
Crew
Skipper : Swampy Dave
Instructor : Davie Irons standing in for Sol
Bosun: Ali
Cook : Tree
Cooks Assitant : Roz
Saturday 9th October to Friday 15th October
Classic Cruise
Lots of clear bright and calm days this week. The Autumn colours have been stunning, perfect for taking photos....hopefully I will have some to post on this page very soon.
Crew
Skipper : Swampy Dave
Instructor : Sol
Bosun: Ali
Cook : Tree
Tuesday 5th October to Friday 8th October
4 day Mini Cruise
Crew
Skipper : Davey
Instructor : Sol
Bosun: Ali
Cook : Tree
Saturday 2nd October to Tuesday 5th October
4 day Mini Cruise
Crew
Skipper : Davey
Instructor : Sol
Bosun: Ali
Cook : Tree
Saturday 25th September to Friday 1st October
Walk the Great Glen .
The guests are on their 3rd day of their Walk the Great Glen. On their first day they all got sun burnt!
Crew
Skipper : "Swampy" Dave
Instructor : Sol
Bosun: Ali
Cook : Tree
Saturday 18th September to Friday 24th September
Classic Cruise.
The guests had a great time. They did lots of canoe journeys, walking and cycling.
Crew
Skipper : "Swampy" Dave
Instructor : Sol
Bosun: Ali
Cook : Tree
Saturday 11th September to Friday 17th September
Music on a Classic Cruise.
Crew
Skipper : Martin and Davey
Instructor : Sol
Bosun: Ali
Cook : Olivia
Saturday 4th September to Friday 10th September
Walk the Great Glen Cruise.
Lots of hilarity and a group who ALL walked the whole of the Great Glen. Olivia was the relief cook
Crew
Skipper : Martin
Instructor : Rob
Bosun: Ali
Cook : Olivia
Saturday 28th August to Friday 3rd September
Classic Cruise.
Inverness to Fort William
Crew
Skipper : Martin
Instructor : Sol
Bosun: Ali
Cook : Tree
Cooks Assistant : Katie
With a mix of guests from South Africa, Israel, England and Canada there was a real International feel! There was lots of watersports and some interesting canoe journeys on Loch Ness!
Saturday 21st August to Friday 27th August
Walk the Great Glen Cruise.
This group of keen ramblers were from Herefordshire. The weather got better towards the end of week! A good time was had by all.
Crew
Skipper : Davey
Instructor : Sol
Bosun: Allan
Cook : Tree
Cooks Assistant : Isla
Saturday 14st August to Friday 20th August
Classic Cruise.
Everyone had a fantastic week helped by great weather giving guests plenty of opportunities to try out all the outdoor toys! This Classic Cruise was a fantastic week for trying all the activties Fingal has to offer.
Crew
Skipper : Davey
Instructor : Sol
Bosun: Allan
Cook : Tree
Cooks Assistant : Sarah
Saturday 7th August to Friday 13th August
Walk the Great Glen Cruise.
The guests are all keen walkers this week and are managing walks of varied lengths! Many made the high hill walk on Monday taking them above Fort Augustus for fantastic views of the Great Glen
Crew
Skipper : Martin
Walking Guide / Instructor : Sol
Bosun: Allan
Cook : Tree
Cooks Assistant : Elspeth
Saturday 31st July to Friday 6th August
Classic Cruise.
Crew
Skipper : Martin
Instructor : Sol
Bosun: Ali
Cook : Tree
Cooks Assistant : Roz
Saturday 24th July to Friday 30th July
Classic Cruise.
Plenty of sailing at Loch Oich and Foyers. Some guests even managed across Loch Ness!
Veronica bridge jumped at Bunarkaig Bay and at Foyers. Sue did canoeing journey on Loch Oich with Paul and also some cycling. Bill and Helen did cycling and canoeing and also swam at Foyers!
Crew
Skipper : Brian
Walking Guide / Instructor : Sol
Bosun: Ali
Cook : Tree
Cooks Assistant : Paul
Saturday 17th July to Friday 23rd July
Classic Cruise.
A couple of nights of singing and guitar playing were enjoyed by skipper ansd guests! Tthe Americans enjoyed the walking and canoeing.
Crew
Skipper : Brian
Walking Guide / Instructor : Sol
Bosun: Ali
Cook : Tree
Cooks Assistant : Erica
Saturday 10th July to Friday 16th July
Walk the Great Glen Cruise.
All the guests were keen walkers and managed walks of varied lengths!
Crew
Skipper : Don
Walking Guide / Instructor : Sol
Bosun: Ali
Cook : Tree
Cooks Assistant : Ishbel
Saturday 3rd July to Friday 9th July
Walk the Great Glen Cruise.
Crew
Skipper : Swampy Dave
Walking Guide / Instructor : Sol
Bosun: Ali
Cook : Tree
Saturday 27th June to Friday 2nd July
Music on a Classic Cruise
There has been guitar, mandolin and mouth organs playing! The Music leader is Rick Willings.
Crew
Music Leader : Rick
Skipper : Martin
Instructor : Sol
Bosun: Ali
Cook : Tree
Saturday 19th June to Friday 26th June
Walk the Great Glen Cruise.
Crew
Skipper : Davie
Walking Guide / Instructor : Sol
Bosun: Ali
Cook : Cara
Saturday 12th June to Friday 18th June
Another great week of fabulous wildlife. Osprey were seen fishing, dolphin sightings were excellent. We are hoping Nick managed to get some video footage which I will add a later date.
Crew
Wildlife Leader : Nick
Skipper : Martin
Instructor : Sol
Bosun: Ali
Cook : Cara
Cooks assistant : Ishbel
Saturday 4th June to Friday 11th June
Cruise : Moray Firth and the Great Glen Wildlife
On Sunday guests had a fantastic trip on the Moray Firth. Lots of dolphins were seen along with peregine falcons, buzzards, red kite, osprey and lots of nesting fulmars too! Today (Tuesday) Fingal is on Loch Ness and guests have observed an osprey building it's nest.
Crew
Wildlife Leader : Fred
Skipper : Martin
Instructor : Sol
Bosun: Ali
Cook : Tree
Cooks assistant : Ishbel
Saturday 30th May to Friday 3rd June
***NEW for 2010 **
Cruise : Canoe the Great Glen
Our first ever Canoe the Great Glen is going really well! Guests started with a paddle in Loch Linnhe then up the canal. The overnight stop was at Neptune's Staircase then they battled a headwind to Clunes on Loch Lochy. The overnight stop was at Gairlochy. On Monday the paddlers made Loch Lochy and on to Cullarchy Lock. Today they have made Fort Augutus andf onto Loch Ness. Guests are hoping to make Foyers by tea time.
Crew
Skipper :Martin
Instructor : Allan
Bosun: Sol
Cook : Tree
Cooks Assistant : Gilly
Saturday 22nd May to Friday 29th May
Cruise : Classic
Crew
Skipper :Martin
Instructor : Allan
Bosun: Ali and Sol
Cook : Tree
Saturday 15th May to Friday 21st May
Cruise : Classic
Crew
Skipper :Swampy Dave
Instructor : Allan
Bosun: Ali
Cook : Tree
A bunch of close friends from a local church who all loved walking and canoeing! There was one keen cyclist who biked almost the whole way.
Saturday 8th May to Friday 14th May
Cruise : Walk the Great Glen
Crew
Skipper :Martin
Walking Guide : Swampy Dave
Bosun: Ali
Cook : Tree
Cooks Assistant : Elspeth
Saturday 1st May to Friday 7th May
Cruise : Walk the Great Glen
Crew
Skipper : Davie
Walking Guide : Skye
Bosun: Ali
Cook : Tree
Cooks Assistant : Sian
The picture below is of Greta, one of our guests, driving the barge across Loch Ness. Taken on Tuesday 4th May about 3.30pm
Saturday 24th April to Friday 30th April
Cruise : Walk the Great Glen
Crew
Skipper : Davie
Walking Guide : Skye
Bosun: Ali
Cook : Tree
Peter, Elaine, Amanda, Neil, Dawn, Tony, Christine, Susan, John, Maureen, Jimmy and Jean all enjoyed their week! Lots of birthday and anniversary celebrations meant lots of cake making for Tree!
Tuesday 20th April to Friday 23rd April
Cruise: 4 Day Mini-Cruise
The sailing boat made it's first trip of the season at Bunarkaig Bay
Crew
Skipper : Martin
Walking Guide : Sky
Bosun: Ali
Cook : Tree
Assistant : Ruth
Saturday 10th April to Friday 16th April
Cruise: Walk the Great Glen
The Crow party had a fabulous week. Thanks to Geoff for sending me the above photo.
Crew
Skipper : Martin
Walking Guide : Sky
Bosun: Ali
Cook : Tree
Saturday 3rd April to Friday 8th April
Cruise: Walk the Great Glen
Crew
Skipper : Martin
Walking Guide : Sky
Bosun: Ali
Cook : Tree
Cooks Assistant : Irene
The weather was fantastic for the week! Well done to Penny, Gavin, Don, Joyce, Liz, Claire, Carol, Philip, Megan, Keith, Kate and John.
Saturday 27th March to Friday 2nd April
First Cruise of the Season: Walk the Great Glen
Crew
Skipper : Martin
Walking Guide : Rob
Bosun: Ali and Alan
Cook : Tree
An unusually snowy start to the season for our guests Keith, Lesley, Pat, David, Robert and Sadie.
they enjoyed their week despite the chilly temperatures!
23rd March 2010
The Fingal is getting ready for cruising on Saturday. Regular cook Tree is back in the galley cleaning and tidying ready to switch the oven on on Saturday!
The weather continues to be good and Ben Nevis summit can be seen yet again!
8th March 2010
I just can't believe this winter...The sun is STILL shining!
The picture above is taken from Glen Loy, above the start of the Caledonian Canal. Ben Nevis, Aonach Mor and Carn Mor Dearg are the 3 big mountains the Martin and the other cyclists are looking at!
This picture was taken at Moy Bridge which is around 8 miles from where the canal meets Loch Linnhe.
Here is Fingal!
22nd February 2010
The fantastic winter weather continues! the mountains have never looked so beautiful and white for so long! there has been very little wind too. The barge is still moored at the top of Neptune's Staircase and Martin is doing some final preparations on the barge before the season starts at the end of March.
2nd February 2010
We have had an amazing response to our early booking offer this year...
check out our availability for 2010
The weather is still fantastic!
27th January 2010
The weather continues to be great in Fort William. The barge is looking good with it's new coat of paint. The canal is starting to thaw but still frozen in places. There is a few walkers doing the Great Glen Way already.
19th January 2010
Well bookings are flying in for 2010 and we have just accepted our 300th guest on board!! With a maximum number of guests at 384 for the 2010 season you had better hurry if you want to to holiday with us!
The canal is gradually thawing after being totally frozen over this winter. The barge is extra toastie just now testing its extra insulation that has just been fitted.
For older news please follow the link below
