A week on the Caledonian Canal

[Divemaster1]

Not much happening really as it was a very quiet one, appart from some excitement when we left Inverness Marina to enter the canal, which made for an excellent start........ I'll let the pictures speak for me.... and try to fill in text later, but basically pottering around, watching the world go by at snails pace... stopped overnight at some idyllic places we previously passed and went for nice walks along the canal.... and enjoyed some nice wine of course.

Found that a couple little £1 storm lanterns with scented candles kept the few flying insects away...

Always liked these and nice to see an older one being used...

 

[pks1702]

Great pictures thanks for posting.

 

[AndieMac]

Beaut photos Alf, lovely and peaceful by the looks.

What boat was in the last shot?

Cheers

 

[Divemaster1]

Boat is a Tremlett 42 ... looked a bit neglected a couple of years back... now looks very nice..

another shot at Fort Augustus ...

 

[AndieMac]

Boat is a Tremlett 42 ... looked a bit neglected a couple of years back... now looks very nice..

another shot at Fort Augustus ...

Nice colourful waterfall.......are you still in transit or at home editing the photos?

 

[Divemaster1]

At home .. uploading, no editing

 

[rafiki_]

Lovely pics Alf. This is a trip that has always appealed to me. The stark beauty of the mountains as a backdrop to the tranquility of the water is rerally appealing.

 

[LittleShip]

Great to see the pictures and memories of 2011 when you came to say hello.

You never know we may be up there next year again as LS is staying in Scotland so it not as far away now.

How was the engine performing after the rebuild.

Tom.

 

[davidej]

Lovely place to visit but don't you get the feeling the canal is overmanned -probably by a factor of five.

The dutch seem to manage as many locks and moveable bridges with about 3 people.

 

[blueglass]

amazing photos of somewhere definitely on my bucket list - thanks for the post.

 

[Divemaster1]

LS ... engine purring nicely thank you ... minor oil leak on one of the connectors, but a small touch with a 1/2" spanner sorted that out .... not that we stretched her legs for longer periods though ...

 

[Divemaster1]

davidej:

Depends what you mean with over manned ...

Sea Locks and all other single locks = 1 person

Swing bridges = 1 person

Muirtown Locks (flight of four locks + 1 swing bridge) = 2 people

Fort Augustus (flight of five locks) = 3 people (busiest place and handles loads of novices in rental cruisers).

Neptunes staircase (flight of eight locks, 1 road bridge and 1 railway bridge) = 3 people

All staff are also happy to give advise on where to go, what to see and the history of the area .... and when you look at what they all do ... they know exactly which boat is where and when you get the hang of this stuff, play their game and communicate about where you are going, planning to stay at night etc., they play with you and time the locks for you, and make sure they have a space for your overnight stay at the best location for you. I'm happy with the manning and cannot complain about the cost, for the level of service you get ... and some of the shower/laundry facilities are now newly refurbished, so a better experience than a couple of years ago..

 

[Grampus]

We too had two wonderful trips through the canal this year and the staff worked very hard to make it a thoroughly enjoyable experience for every user, private boats and hire craft alike.

Thought the manning was ideal, particularly when you have so many short handed boats as well as lots of novice hirers.

The staff were all fantastic, helpful, knowledgeable, kind, happy and considerate - it was agreat experience and we will be going back to the east coast again..

Should add that we had a fantastic time in all the harbours like Lossiemouth, Whitehills, Arbroath - in fact the whole trip was great.

Caledonian canal and staff are the best advertisement cruising in Scotland can have, you won't find a better reception anywhere.
galps

 

[talltim]

Thanks for sharing Alf

It is one of the passages we would like to do, even if it meant chartering a local vessel.

 

[henryf]

A lovely place to be boating in by the look of those.

What sized hook would you recommend to catch the wee fishies in the first couple of shots

H.

 

[AndieMac]

........What sized hook would you recommend to catch the wee fishies in the first couple of shots

H.

You might also need to look at up-sizing the inflatable and the fishing bucket H, I hear these Loch Ness mutant Sardines get a bit grumpy when they come aboard