History aside, there’s plenty on the cruise menu – and that includes what’s served up for three hearty daily meals by an imaginative onboard chef.

A visit to the dramatic Southern Highlands wouldn’t be the same without a wee dram – and there are many distilleries to sample single malt or two. The barge cruise tour guide chose one named after Ben Nevis – Britain’s highest mountain. 

Almost as much time was spent off the barge than on it and we also visited:

• The dramatically imposing Commando Memorial at Glen Roy - a bronze memorial, which commemorates the members of the elite commando units who trained in the area during the Second World War;
• Glencoe – site of the infamous massacre in 1692 when the treacherous Campbell clan wiped out the MacDonalds;
• Fort Augustus, which was captured by the Jacobite clans during the 1745 rebellion. Crowds flock to watch boats, yachts and a particular barge  negotiate the five locks;
• Heather-laced hillsides covered in a purple haze and majestic mountain scenery in search of monarchs or kings of the glen (stags);
• Culloden Moor, where in 1746 Charles Edward Stuart led his Jacobite army to ultimate disaster at the Battle of Culloden. Bonnie Prince Charlie’s army of 5000 Jacobites was crushed by well-armed British troops under the command of the prince’s distant cousin, General William Cumberland; and
• And Loch Ness, which owes its celebrity status almost exclusively to the legend, lore and scientific enigma to its ‘residential monster’. More than 240 metres deep, its deep trench was caused by the movement of tectonic plates during the last Ice Age.

None of us on board the barge caught a glimpse of Nessie. Neither did Captain Dave. But he hasn’t given up hope.

His impromptu session on the bagpipes at the captain’s farewell dinner was one of the highlights of the cruise.

For more details and prices on the Scottish Highlander’s 2011 itinerary, contact Outdoor Travel at: info@outdoortravel.com.au

or its website – www.outdoortravel.com.au

The writer travelled in the UK courtesy of Holiday Autos and Rail Plus.

The Scottish Highlander can accommodate eight passengers in one twin or double suite and three twin or double staterooms, all with en suite facilities.

All cabins have showers, basin and toilet and are fully tiled with a radiator.

All meals with wine are included and there is an open bar 24 hours a day. Some vintages wines and champagne, other than at the welcome on the first day, are not included. However, they can be purchased at an additional cost. The barge has a crew of four, including the captain, tour guide, chef and hostess.

The initial sighting of a large snake-like, hump-backed monster in Loch Ness was made in the eighth century by a monk. The Loch Ness Monster Exhibition at Drumnadrochit tells the tale of the Nessie enigma.

Cairngorm Brewery at Aviemore in Inverness Shire goes to extremes when naming its beers. It produces top drops like Sheepshaggers Gold premium beer – dubbed “the best beer baa none” - while it describes its Nessie’s Monster Mush as “a pleasant mahogany ale with malt predominating”. Both brews are available from the barge bar.