tilpah
New member
I want to hire a yacht next summer and sail btween Fort William and Inverness and back, or visa versa anyone know any hire companies, any advice, anyone done this trip?
Caladonian Canal
- Thread starter tilpah
- Start date
Avocet
Well-known member
Don't know anything about hiring boats (although there definitely are several hire companies along the great glen) but we did the trip in a trailer-sailer about 8 years ago. We towed it up to Fort William where the local sailing club were very kind - they let us use the slipway and one of their moorings for the night and looked after our car for the week. Next morning we did the short sail up to the locks at Corpach and the keeper let us in first thing. After that it was up the big flight of locks (Neptune's staircase) which was exhausting! I don't think they let hire boats go any closer to the sea than the top of the flight but can't remember to be sure.
Unfortunately, it blew "old boots" from the North East all the week we were there (it was at the end of May) so we had to motor most of the way to Inverness. We didn't venture into the North sea, just turned round and came back. We really enjoyed the run back (even got the boat to plane a few times)!
Can't remember much more than that. It was stunningly beautiful and fairly wet at times. From memory there were not enough visitors' moorings or pontoons to be sure of a place at the more popular bits but that might have changed by now. The lock keepers were all very helpful and friendly but some of the trawlers seemed to regard yachts as floating "fenders" in the locks!
Unfortunately, it blew "old boots" from the North East all the week we were there (it was at the end of May) so we had to motor most of the way to Inverness. We didn't venture into the North sea, just turned round and came back. We really enjoyed the run back (even got the boat to plane a few times)!
Can't remember much more than that. It was stunningly beautiful and fairly wet at times. From memory there were not enough visitors' moorings or pontoons to be sure of a place at the more popular bits but that might have changed by now. The lock keepers were all very helpful and friendly but some of the trawlers seemed to regard yachts as floating "fenders" in the locks!
Strathglass
New member
You can hire a yacht from Lagan Locks in various sizes up to a 36 ft Moody. I will email you tomorrow with details.
Iain
Iain
snowleopard
Active member
been through in 2001 and 2002. main hire base is at caley marina nr inverness but mostly stinkies i think. fabulous scenery lots of p&q and good places to stop. particularly liked the well of the seven heads on loch lochy, urquart castle on loch ness & falls at foyers (also loch ness). hire base at laggan has yachts, looks a bit ratty but probably sound enough
coliholic
New member
We hired a motor boat there years ago and it was one of the best holidays we've had. We hired at Inverness then through Loch Ness, Loch Oich and Loch Lochy right up to Fort William where the locks are but in a hired boat you can't go through them. Round trip there and back takes a week if you're just enjoying yourslef and taking in the scenery and hospitality at the local hostelries. Bear in mind though this was 20 odd years ago so may be a bit different now, but don't think so.
Hoseasons and I think Blakes still hire boats there and we got the Hoseasons brochure through a week or so ago and are thinking of maybe doing it again next year.
Hoseasons and I think Blakes still hire boats there and we got the Hoseasons brochure through a week or so ago and are thinking of maybe doing it again next year.
Strathglass
New member
Go to <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.westhighlandsailing.com>http://www.westhighlandsailing.com</A>
West Highland Sailing now have three classes of yachts. From Moody 28 to a Sigma 33. The sigma is the cruising version with the smaller masthead rig. All have diesel inboards. They are all well used but maintained in good order.
The fleet were purchased some years ago from a much larger hire company when war broke out in a much warmer country. There is a good call out service in the event of any problems the base can be contacted by mobile phone.
There is no real qualification requirement to hire one.
Caley Marine run a fleet of 50 cruisers of various sizes from Inverness.
Apart from the small marina at Drumnadrochit there are no mooring charges and there is adequate berthing throughout the canal system, and plenty of stopping places.
It is possible, but a bit ambitious, to cover the full distance and back in one week but in so doing the objective of achieving this takes away some of the pleasure, two weeks is better.
I used to teach hirers how to sail yachts on Loch Ness for a now defunct company. The normal wind is south west right up the length of the loch and sometimes gets quite choppy at Lochend at the top of Loch Ness. There are many sheltered areas throughout the canal system where it is possible to have a nice sail even if the weather is not at it's best.
Apart from numerous delivery trips, my wife and myself have had several yachting holidays (in hire craft) on the Caledonian Canal and enjoyed every one. There are so many things to do and see that every time it is different.
I don't think that anyone else hires out yachts from a fleet in the Caledonian Canal at this time. The limits of navigation are normally between the top of Neptunes Staircase and the top of the locks beside Caley Marine in Inverness.
I have no connection with West Highland Sailing other than knowing the people who run the business. Their phone number is 01809 501234
Iain
<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by iainsimpson on 01/12/2002 09:37 (server time).</FONT></P>
West Highland Sailing now have three classes of yachts. From Moody 28 to a Sigma 33. The sigma is the cruising version with the smaller masthead rig. All have diesel inboards. They are all well used but maintained in good order.
The fleet were purchased some years ago from a much larger hire company when war broke out in a much warmer country. There is a good call out service in the event of any problems the base can be contacted by mobile phone.
There is no real qualification requirement to hire one.
Caley Marine run a fleet of 50 cruisers of various sizes from Inverness.
Apart from the small marina at Drumnadrochit there are no mooring charges and there is adequate berthing throughout the canal system, and plenty of stopping places.
It is possible, but a bit ambitious, to cover the full distance and back in one week but in so doing the objective of achieving this takes away some of the pleasure, two weeks is better.
I used to teach hirers how to sail yachts on Loch Ness for a now defunct company. The normal wind is south west right up the length of the loch and sometimes gets quite choppy at Lochend at the top of Loch Ness. There are many sheltered areas throughout the canal system where it is possible to have a nice sail even if the weather is not at it's best.
Apart from numerous delivery trips, my wife and myself have had several yachting holidays (in hire craft) on the Caledonian Canal and enjoyed every one. There are so many things to do and see that every time it is different.
I don't think that anyone else hires out yachts from a fleet in the Caledonian Canal at this time. The limits of navigation are normally between the top of Neptunes Staircase and the top of the locks beside Caley Marine in Inverness.
I have no connection with West Highland Sailing other than knowing the people who run the business. Their phone number is 01809 501234
Iain
<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by iainsimpson on 01/12/2002 09:37 (server time).</FONT></P>
bedouin
Well-known member
I also had a holiday with these people a few years ago.
It was very enjoyable, but we did find that we spend more time motoring than sailing. We were a lot less experienced in those days, and perhaps we were a bit unlucky with the weather.
It was very enjoyable, but we did find that we spend more time motoring than sailing. We were a lot less experienced in those days, and perhaps we were a bit unlucky with the weather.
Ohdrat
New member
I would try and do this trip in late spring / early summer before the midges and tourists are out in force!.. beware flukey winds off surrounding mountains and down adjoining glens.. generally the wind blows up or down the great glen, typically the opposite way to the way you are going..
Nessy is a freindly beast and appreciates a dram and an oat cake
Nessy is a freindly beast and appreciates a dram and an oat cake
webcraft
Well-known member
Re: Caledonian Canal
Have a meal at Eagle, The Inn On The Water, at Laggan - it's excellent.
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.bluemoment.com/eagle/>http://www.bluemoment.com/eagle/</A>
- Nick
Have a meal at Eagle, The Inn On The Water, at Laggan - it's excellent.
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.bluemoment.com/eagle/>http://www.bluemoment.com/eagle/</A>
- Nick
Rabbie
New member
This should whet your appetite laddie.
http://science.ntu.ac.uk/staff/njh/angieh/caley/caley1.htm
Rab.
http://science.ntu.ac.uk/staff/njh/angieh/caley/caley1.htm
Rab.
tilpah
New member
Re: Caledonian Canal
Hi Thanks everyone for the replies, I will order the brochures right away!
Hi Thanks everyone for the replies, I will order the brochures right away!
spark
Member
There's a rally happening in the canal next summer. Might be worthwhile planning your trip to coincide with some of the festivities - www.sailcaledonia.org
