Discover Dalriada, in the Heart of Argyll
Clyde Cruises in partnership with The Heart of Argyll Tourism Alliance presents:
The Dalriada Experience 2012
Tuesday 4th to Thursday 6th September
In celebration of the Year of Creative Scotland, Clyde Cruises in partnership with the Heart of Argyll Tourism Alliance presents The ‘Dalriada Experience’ 2012 Natural & Cultural Heritage Short Break Cruise on Scotland’s West Coast Tuesday 4th to Thursday 6th September.
Travelling aboard the historic ‘MV Rover’, the ‘Dalriada Experience’ will recreate the traditions of a bygone era, taking you from Greenock, via the scenic Kyles of Bute to the picturesque fishing village of Tarbert, Loch Fyne and on to the Crinan Canal, described as ‘Britain’s most beautiful short cut.’
This three day short break cruise combines bespoke guided natural & cultural heritage tours and a marine wildlife experience, with the added comfort of overnight stays in hotels and guest houses close to the canal, Kilmartin Glen and Knapdale. Under the expert guidance of Skipper, Hamish, you can look forward to spotting dolphins, basking sharks, seals and porpoises, as well as numerous sea birds, from gannets to guillemots, sea eagles and oyster catchers.
With only 40 passengers on board the MV Rover, the ‘Dalriada Experience’ has been designed to give you the chance to truly explore this unique corner of Scotland and to learn first-hand from our experienced guides. Highlights include:
•An evening Beaver Safari at Knapdale with a specialist wildlife ranger
•A guided tour along the Crinan Canal with veteran Harbour Master, Alec Howie
•A bespoke tour through Kilmartin Glen including a performance by the award-winning Walking Theatre Company at Dunadd Fort, where the first Scottish Kings were crowned.
•Guided tour and dinner at the internationally acclaimed Kilmartin House Museum
Detailed Itinerary
Day One – Tuesday 4th September
0900 Depart Greenock – sail from Victoria Harbour aboard the historic MV Rover, famed for its rescue of the crew from the Greek sugar ship, Captayannis on the River Clyde in 1974. Sail to Loch Fyne via the scenic Kyles of Bute and ‘The Narrows’ at Colintraive and enjoy marine wildlife spotting opportunities en route. Receive your ‘Heart of Argyll Welcome Pack’ – including a signed copy of ‘In the Footsteps of Kings’. Tea & Coffee available on board.
1300 Arrive at the picturesque village of Tarbert, Loch Fyne where you can watch local fisherman land their catch of langoustine and crab at the quay. Enjoy a soup & buffet lunch at the Anchor Hotel, including tea & coffee, after which you will have time to visit the art galleries & craft shops, walk the ‘Tarbert Mile’ via the harbour promenade or take a short walk up the hill to Tarbert Castle, once a stronghold of Robert the Bruce.
1500 Depart Tarbert, heading up Loch Fyne, past Barmore Island and Stonefield Castle, to the Crinan Canal.
1600 Arrive at Ardrishaig – the eastern entrance to the Crinan Canal. At 9 miles long, the Crinan Canal is not only ‘Britain’s most beautiful shortcut’, it creates a vital waterway through the Kintyre peninsula in the Heart of Argyll, linking Loch Fyne with the Sound of Jura.
1700 MV Rover berths for the night at Lock Number 4 on the Crinan Canal. Enjoy a relaxing stroll along the canal to the Grey Gull Inn for an informal dinner.
1730-1900 Dinner at the Grey Gull Inn, Ardrishaig – Heather & her team look forward to serving a hearty 3-course dinner followed by your choice of tea or coffee.
1900 After dinner, a West Coast Motors coach will transport everyone to the Barnluasgan Visitor Centre in Knapdale for an evening Beaver Safari at the site of the Scottish Beaver Trial (SBT).
1915 Arrive at Barnluasgan & meet the SBT Wildlife Ranger, Oly Hemmings.
1915-1930 Presentation by the Wildlife Ranger, with stories from last year’s BBC Springwatch filming and the latest news on what the beavers have been up to.
1930-2030 Guided Beaver Safari – your chance to see the lodges and dams constructed by the beavers since their re-introduction and all being well catch a glimpse of them swimming in Loch Coille Bharr or the Dubh Loch.
2030 Coach & private transfers depart Barnluasgan Visitor Centre to transport you to your chosen overnight accommodation.
Day Two – Wednesday 5th September
0915 Coaches & private transfers will pick you up from your accommodation and transport you to the MV Rover on the Crinan Canal.
0930 Depart Lock Number 4 with our special guest and guide for the morning, veteran Harbour Master, Alec Howie. Alec has over 34 years’ experience of the Crinan Canal so you will be treated to an insightful commentary from him as we sail along the canal to Crinan. Packed lunches will be provided on board by The Square Peg sandwich bar in Lochgilphead, famous for their great home-baking!
1430 Arrive & disembark at Crinan, with time for you to explore the harbour and enjoy the stunning views across the Sound of Jura before departing for Dunadd.
1500 Coach transfer to Dunadd Fort in Kilmartin Glen.
1515 Arrive at Dunadd Fort. A spectacular performance by the award- winning Walking Theatre Company will lead you up to the top of the hill, where you can see the crowning place of Scotland’s ancient Kings and enjoy an unique historical and cultural enactment.
1700 Coach departs Dunadd Fort and heads north through Kilmartin Glen to Kilmartin House Museum. There are more than 800 ancient monuments within a six-mile radius of the museum, many of which are pre-historic, making Kilmartin Glen an area of outstanding archaeological importance and one of Scotland’s richest pre-historic landscapes.
1715 Arrive at Kilmartin House Museum, a world-class centre for archaeology & landscape interpretation.
1715-1830 After a brief welcome reception, you will be treated to a private guided tour of Kilmartin House Museum, including a chance to see ‘The Valley of the Ghosts’ audio visual show.
1830-2000 There will be time to talk through the day’s historic and cultural experiences over a three course dinner featuring wholesome local produce, in the museum’s Glebe Café restaurant.
2000 Coaches & private transfers will return you to your accommodation.
Day 3 – Thursday 6th September
0915 West Coast Motors coaches & private transfers will pick you up from your accommodation and transport you to the MV Rover.
0930 Depart Lock Number 4 aboard the MV Rover heading east to the Ardrishaig basin. Tea & Coffee available on board.
1030 Depart the Ardrishaig sea lock, heading south down Loch Fyne and taking in the wonderful views of the Isle of Arran.
1130 Arrive at Portavadie Marina on the Cowal Peninsula, across the water from Tarbert. Go ashore for a soup & buffet lunch in the marina restaurant at this sheltered yacht haven and enjoy a little retail therapy in the boutique.
1300 Depart Portavadie Marina, heading south around Ardlamont Point where you’ll be treated to fantastic views of the Kyles of Bute, the hills of Arran and the Kintyre Peninsula. Keep your eyes trained on the water as it’s a popular spot with dolphins!
1430 Arrive at the old steamer pier at Ormidale Lodge at the head of Loch Riddon – great photo opportunities.
1445 Depart Ormidale for the return sail to Greenock via the Kyles of Bute and ‘The Narrows’ at Colintraive.
1700 Arrive back at Victoria Harbour, Greenock with your camera filled with very special memories of the Heart of Argyll.
PACKAGE PRICE & BOOKING
Fully inclusive package prices for the ‘Dalriada Experience’ start at £375 per person based on two sharing, which includes all meals*, tour transport, guides, 2 nights’ hotel or B&B accommodation** plus a Heart of Argyll cruise pack including a signed copy of ‘In the Footsteps of Kings’ by Dr Sharon Webb of Kilmartin House Museum (*alcoholic beverages are not included; ** hotel, guest house and B&B options close to the Crinan Canal are detailed below).
All inclusive ticket price costs vary depending on your choice of accommodation – click here for accommodation choices. All transport to and from your accommodation is included, with the smaller establishments providing private transport. The B&B’s and Guesthouses have limited rooms available so early booking is recommended to avoid disappointment. To help you choose, details of each establishment are provided on the Heart of Argyll website – www.heartofargyll.com. Please state your first and second choice at the time of booking and we will confirm availability accordingly. See our standard Terms & Conditions and Cancellation Policy.
1.Download our Booking Form
2.Email: julie@clydecruises.com
3.Call us on : 01475 721821
Download our Information Leaflet Here
For general information on the Heart of Argyll and accommodation options:
1.Visit www.heartofargyll.com
