On a Barge Cruise, Scotland and its Legends Await

If you're considering embarking on a barge cruise, Scotland is an intriguing destination to consider. Its wonderful countryside and warm, welcoming people will introduce you to a wonderful world of fascinating myths and legends. You can find out more about just some of those below.

The Unspoilt Highlands

To experience the sheer beauty of wild nature on a barge cruise, Scotland can’t be beaten. However, the vast and largely empty spaces you’ll see weren’t always like that.
Up until the 18th century, the people were far more widespread in the highlands than is the case today. There were many small crofts and farms, which were worked by tenant farmers, usually for their clan landowner.

This was stopped when the population was forcibly and sometimes brutally removed (many emigrated) during a process called 'the Highland Clearances', which occurred because using the land for agriculture was less profitable than sheep farming.

Myth: The English conducted the Highland Clearances as a punishment for the Jacobite rebellions

Colourful as this myth is, it’s not true. In reality, the clearances had already started before the Jacobite rebellions, though those sad events exacerbated the process. Scots Law, which was and is entirely distinct from English Law, provided tenant farmers with virtually no protection or rights.

In fact, this terrible social upheaval was instigated and conducted largely by the traditional Scottish landowners and nobility. It had little to do with the English or the (by then) British Parliament, although the latter did little to stop the injustice.

Myth: The kilt is traditional ancient Highland dress

Well, it is and it isn’t! You may see some kilts being worn as you visit various regions, but this is a very ancient and diverse country, with a varied history. Things are rarely as simple as they seem. In fact, today’s kilt is a largely 19th century re-development by Lowland Scots in Edinburgh of what they imagined Highlanders wore. It was largely done to amuse Queen Victoria, who suddenly found Scotland to be 'fashionable'. If you look at contemporary illustrations of 17th-18th century highland dress, you’ll see it’s quite different.

Myth: The Loch Ness Monster is a recent incarnation

Nessie, as the perhaps imaginary creature is affectionately called, certainly came to wide prominence in the early-mid 20th century, but reports of a creature in Loch Ness go back centuries. So keep your eyes peeled as you cruise Scotland.

Myth: Shakespeare’s Macbeth is fictional

Although much of the Bard’s world-famous play is invention, in fact, it is loosely based on a real-life 11th century Scottish king Mac Bethad mac Findlaích. The countryside you’ll be travelling through on your Scottish barge cruise is the very real location that Macbeth would have known.

Myth: Loch Ness is bottomless

This is a lovely image and well publicised by romantics but it’s not, of course, true!
It is a vast body of very deep water though, and it plummets to around 755 feet (230
metres). Oddly, it is only the second deepest loch in the country, but it does hold more fresh water than all the lakes in England and Wales combined.

For a truly memorable experience combining nature and history on a barge cruise, Scotland should certainly be at the top of anyone's list.