Skippered Day Cruises:

The Standard Skippered Day Cruise for up to 5 Adults:

There are plenty of day cruising opportunities on the Scottish Lowland canals for organised parties of 10 or more, but little has been available for just one or two couples (max 5 adults). We can now fill that 'service gap' with one of our Skippered Day Cruises, catering for smaller parties of just one or two couples. As an added bonus our standard 22 mile skippered day cruise just happens to take in some of the best bits of the Scottish Lowland canals - Falkirk Wheel, Falkirk Tunnel, Avon Aqueduct, and Linlithgow - all in just one day.

So here's the detail: Depart our Falkirk Wheel moorings at approx 9.30am and immediately ascend the magnificant Falkirk Wheel - with its magnificant panoramic views. Once released from the Wheel's gondola, we traverse the Wheel Aqueduct and, almost immediately, take the Roughcastle Tunnel through the Antonine Wall. When we emerge from the tunnel we enter the 'south basin' where the British Waterways trip boats turn. We, on the other hand, ascend the Roughcastle 'staircase locks' to join the main line of the Union canal, heading towards Edinburgh. We can't take you that far on a skippered day cruise (although we could do so on one of our 'short break holidays'). Instead we will take you as far as Linlithgow - it will take us until about lunch time to get that far, so we will probably have lunch there before heading back.

As a skippered day charter there's some very pleasant cruising with some interesting features - the Falkirk Tunnel and the Avon Aqueduct to mention just two. We will try and time things to your preferences. There will be time to stop and start along the way. We plan to be back at our moorings by 5pm, but our timings are not too critical unless you specify otherwise.

No need to pack a picnic, because morning and afternoon refreshments (eg tea/coffee with biscuits/cake) are included in the price. Similarly we include lunch - typically, our own homemade soup with a selection of sandwiches (and probably more cake). Of course all the cruising costs are inclusive and there are no additional costs in respect of the passage up and back down the Falkirk Wheel.

Although Willow is just over 65ft in length, on our core business holiday and short break cruises we carry only two passengers - because of our bedroom capacity. But for skippered day cruises we can comfortably cater for up to 5 adults per cruise. We do not cater for children (health and safety reasons). Sorry no pets.

If this is the first page you have visited on our website, you may not be aware of the calibre of Willow. We all know that the weather in Scotland is predictably fine - but should it rain or get chilly, our heated glazed bow observation cabin protects guests from the elements. This is not a short open day hire vessel with wooden bench seating.

The Costs of a Skippered Day Cruise:

So, how much does it cost to privately charter Willow for a full days cruise - possibly less than you think. We've been commercial narrowboaters since 1999, but our skippered day charters are new to the Falkirk Wheel area  - so our rates have been initially set low by way of introductory offer.

For one couple the all inclusive fee is £99 - that's less than £50 per person for a trip up (and back down) the Falkirk Wheel, plus a full days cruise on the Union canal - with lunch and refreshments all included.

If your party comprises two couples, the rate per person gets even better. For two couples the all inclusive fee is £159 for the same deal (that's less than £40 per person). For five adults it's £195.  We will even do the trip for a single person, but I'm afraid we do need to charge an inclusive minimum inclusive cruise fee of £99.

All bookings must be made in advance with a 50% booking deposit. The balance becomes payable before the start of the cruise. Payments can be made by Internet Banking Transfer; 'Chip & Pin Faster Payment' service (similar to Internet Bank Transfer but carried out at your bank); or by cash (sorry, we do not accept credit cards or cheques). We will provide advice about payment methods, if required, at the time of booking. The dates we have made available for 'One Day Charters' are detailed on our 'Available Dates' page. To book contact us by phone or email to discuss your requirements. Click here for our contact page.

Bookings are only accepted on the understanding that all passengers accept our standard booking conditions as detailed on this website. Click here to view. In particular please discuss with us, at the time of booking, any potential mobility issues there may be with any of your party for the purposes of getting on and off Willow.