On the 23rd of October 1822 the steam yacht 'Gondolier' crowded with VIP's left Inverness for the inaugural passage along the 'Caledonian Canal' bound for Fort William. The term 'Canal' is somewhat misleading since of its entire length only 23 miles are man-made with rest of the waterway being the natural lochs (lakes) of Dochfour, Ness, Oich and Loch Lochy that run in a ribbon along the 'Great Glen' and the canals being the link that connects them. The Story of the waterway had begun 20 years earlier when two distinguished engineers, William Jessop and Thomas Telford, were assigned to share the design of the canal which the famous Scottish engineer James Watt had surveyed many years earlier. The project was unique for its time since the waterway was to become an entirely state-sponsored project. Conceived in no small part as a work creation scheme for the local populace quite apart from the obvious advantages for shipping in being able to avoid the treacherous passage around Scotland\'s northern Pentland Forth

Unfortunately the canal was not to be the success that the promoters had hoped and although constructed in order to accommodate some of the largest vessels of the day, the size of vessels quickly outgrew the capacity of the waterway to handle them. The canal's activity reached its nadir in 1839 when just 544 vessels were recorded to have used the facility and the decision was made to re-build the canal, which re-opened for traffic in 1849. However, the decline in the canal's commercial use continued and today it is mainly used for a small number of pleasure craft as well as the occasional trawler positioning from one side of Scotland to the other. This we believe grossly undervalues what is a unique and spectacular waterway and we are therefore delighted to introduce the 'Lord of the Glens' on an itinerary that has wide appeal. Without doubt there is no better way to marvel at the magnificent Scottish Highland scenery than from the water level and where for all the world, you could be the only ones there. Anyone who has made the journey north and joined the throngs that gather each year will know that more often than not. The view and the pleasure are marred by traffic congestion.

The 'MV Lord of the Glens' is a vessel with the elegant appeal of
a luxury yacht. With it's all-round teak-clad viewing and promenade decks and rich mahogany interiors. There are 27 luxury state-cabins accommodating 54 passengers, a bar, lounge and a restaurant which can accommodate up to 60 diners in one sitting.