Hire charge price ranges are detailed below and also on each boat class page, detailed pricing is on our online availability checker.
All prices are in £ sterling (GBP) and incl. the current UK VAT rate.
| Boat Class | Sleeps | Weekly Hire Charges: From> | >To | 2025 Canal Fees, per night | Average consumption* |
| Kintail | 4 | £2,455 | £3,610 | £13.25 | 125 L |
| Torridon | 6 | £2,455 | £3,610 | £13.25 | 128 L |
| Balmoral | 4 – 6 | £1,968 | £2,973 | £13.25 | 135 L |
| Highland Monarch | 6 – 8 | £1,878 | £2,737 | £13.25 | 174 L |
| Strathspey | 4 – 6 | £1,878 | £2,737 | £13.25 | 147 L |
| Taransay | 6 – 8 | £1,900 | £2,800 | £13.25 | 157 L |
| Isle of Skye | 2 – 3 | £1,157 | £1,647 | £13.25 | 81 L |
| Eriskay | 4 – 5 | £1,070 | £1,801 | £13.25 | 93 L |
| Islay (NEW IN 2024) | 2 – 5 | £2,212 | £3,292 | £13.25 | 100L |
* For a weekly cruise.
The fuel consumption stated is for guidance only as the figures can vary, depending on several factors (distance travelled, speed travelled, weather conditions, use of heating). For more details on Fuel click on the link [Average Consumption].
Bookings
Due to the increased demand, we now also accept bookings for 2026.
* The 2025 Season starts on Friday 28th March and closes Friday 31st October 2025.
* The 2026 season starts Friday 27th March and closes Friday 30th October 2026.
The season are usually in line with the clock changes.
* These dates depend on Scottish Canals operating schedule and may be subject to change.
Please also have a look at the following updates:
Scottish Canals Updates
Online Booking available via our website.
Low Season – End of March – End of April/Early May & End September to End of October
Mid Season – Early May – Mid/End of June & Mid August
High Season – Mid end of June – Start/Mid August
The cost for fuel used is charged at the end of your holiday. The average weekly fuel consumption across the season is approx. 150 – 200 L for the larger vessels and 110 – 150 L for the smaller vessels. The fuel consumption during spring and autumn is often higher than the seasonal average. In accordance with government guidelines, fuel is charged at a 60/40 split. This means 60% is charged at standard road fuel rates and 40% is charged at standard marine diesel rates. As with road fuel, the price changes frequently. For current fuel prices, please contact our office and we are happy to advise.
Deposit
We require a Fuel & Security Deposit shortly before your arrival, and we will contact you by phone to arrange this. This is made in form of a credit card pre-authorisation of £500. At the end of your holiday we just need to refuel and check-over the vessel before we can finalise the account, this may only be possible a few hours after your departure. Please also see our Terms & Conditions of Hire.
Canal Fees
Canal Fees – In addition to the Hire Charge and Fuel Costs, a canal fee will apply for all reservations.
Accidental Damage
Included as part of the hire cost is the Collision Damage Waiver, this means you have fully comprehensive cover in the event of accidental loss or damage to your boat, its equipment, or if you accidently damage for example another vessel or jetty etc or injure a third party (£5 million limit on liability cover).
However, this does not cover any damage caused by the deliberate or negligent act or omission of you or any member of your party (including where the person concerned is under the influence of alcohol, drugs or any similar substance) or any failure by you to comply with our safety instructions or booking conditions. In this case we reserve the right to make a charge to cover the full costs involved in loss or damage.
Additional charges will also be applied if the vessel is returned late, dirty or for any other reason as detailed in our Terms & Conditions of Hire.
Non-smoking policy – Smoking is not permitted on board any of our vessels (including enclosed canopy areas on deck). We will apply a £200 charge if, on return, it is evident people have been smoking inside and the vessel smells of smoke.
Pick-up and return time for all vessels
Arrival time on first day of hire: 12:00-14:00 hrs. See information about our handover on the Getting Started page
Check in for our Houseboat is 15:00hrs and Check out is 10:00hrs
Please note that we cannot hand over a vessel without completing our handover. It is important that you inform the boatyard as early as possible of any delays or if your arrival is likely to be after 2pm on the first day of your holiday.
Should your arrival be after 17:00, a hand-over may not be possible and you may have to book alternative accommodation and arrive at our base the next morning. Please contact us to discuss if you think this may be the case.
Our boatyard is closed on Sundays.
Return time on last day of hire: 08:30 (am)
All boats must be returned by 8:30am and vacated by 9am on the last day of hire. Many visitors return to the boatyard the prior evening to pack and to visit Inverness. Although we are closed on Sundays, it is possible to return the hire vessel on a Sunday.
There are some limited 10am check ins and check outs available each for a fee of £45. These are available from 10:30am on Torridon or Highland Monarch Class boats. These are not available for Taransay bookings.
To make a booking, please use our online availability and booking system. Our online availability is LIVE and subject to change at any time, so we do always recommend you book via our website if possible.
Payment terms
In order to confirm your booking we currently require an initial payment of 10% of the hire charge (minimum deposit £180). Your balance payment is due 10 weeks before the hire is due to commence. We may amend these conditions at any time.
We accept the following methods of payment:
Debit Card – This may be made over the phone or through a secure server on our website. There is no fee for paying with your debit card.
Credit Card (Mastercard & Visa) – This may be made over the phone or through a secure server on our website. There is no fee for paying with your credit card.
Bank Transfer – Our bank details are available on request if you would like to settle balance payments due by bank transfer. Please note that transfers from foreign banks may attract additional bank charges which must be paid for by the payer or may be charged. For a deposit payment by bank transfer, the payment should be done the same day the booking was placed and a copy of the bank transfer emailed to Caley Cruisers as proof of payment.
Cheque – Unfortunately we are unable to accept cheques.
Cancellation
For advance bookings we guarantee you an unconditional refund of the money you have paid, if you have to cancel (for any reason) any holiday booked to be taken after the end of the current season onwards, provided you cancel by the 15th December (of the year prior to the booked holiday). If you have to cancel after 15th December a cancellation charge will be applicable. Therefore, we advise you have a cancellation insurance policy in place. Caley Cruisers cannot offer cancellation insurance.
You must contact us immediately if you have to cancel. Please send us a cancellation request in writing (email is acceptable) and include your booking reference and/or your booking confirmation. See Condition 6 in our Terms & Conditions for cancellation fees applicable. Your cancellation is effective from the date we receive your written confirmation from you, which will be acknowledged.
Additional Information
Bookings – Many of the larger vessels such as Kintail, Torridon, Strathspey, Highland Monarch and Balmoral class do book up to 12 months in advance therefore we do recommend you book these as early as you can, to avoid disappointment.
Short Break Holidays – Weekend from Friday/Saturday 12-14:00 until Tuesday/Wednesday 8:30am (4 nights) or Mid-week from Tuesday/Wednesday 12-14:00 until Friday/Saturday 8:30am (3 nights).
10-/11-nights holidays – Starting on Tuesday/Wednesday (10 nights) or Friday/Saturday (11 nights).
Group Bookings – Please note that we cannot accept bookings for Stag and Hen parties.
Pets – Pets are permitted on most vessels. The cost is currently £60 per pet, per week (min. charge £60). The pet charge is not pro rata, i.e. a booking of more than 1 week (10 or 11 nights) incurs an additional weekly pet charge per pet. Payment to be applied at the time of booking. We kindly ask our customers to bring pet blankets or baskets but also to ensure that the pets do not lie on the beds or seating. We reserve the right to make an extra charge if additional cleaning is required or if damage to any of the vessels fixtures and fittings occurs.
Pet Free Vessels – The following classes have pet friendly and specific pet free vessels (i.e. no pets allowed) – Torridon, Kintail, Balmoral, Eriskay & Isle of Skye. The pet free vessels are clearly indicated as such on our online availability checker.
No licence or previous boating experience required. Safety briefings and instructions will be provided on 1st day of hire.
Please note: We do require a minimum of 2 reasonably fit and able, adult (must be 21 or over) crew members on board each boat at all times whilst cruising.
This is an activity holiday and both adult members of the crew will be required to participate during locking and berthing procedures.
Fishing – For information about fishing within the cruising area, please refer to the information provided on the Scottish Canals website. Caley Cruisers does not issue fishing permits and does not have fishing equipment for sale or hire.
Bike Hire – Bikes are available to hire from the boatyard. Pre-booking is essential due to limited availability of bikes. The costs are currently £99 per electric bike, per week. £50 per mountain bike, per week. We also have limited availability for children’s bikes (24″; suitable for 8-10 yr old) available currently for £50 per week. Bike hire is payable with balance of hire.
Secure car parking – Secure car parking (outdoors) is available free of charge at the boat yard (parking at your own risk). Please note: Depending on the vehicle numbers for the week you are booked with us (including cars booked in advance), we may need to restrict the parking to only 1 vehicle per boat (or possibly a maximum of only 2) at a later date. Should this be the case, we will advise well in advance and suggest alternative car parking facilities (where parking charges are applicable).
Note: Should you require a space for a larger vehicle, such as a motor home, caravan or camper, it is important to enquire at the time of booking or contact us well in advance to discuss whether we can accommodate your request, as there are only limited spaces available for larger vehicles.