skipper681
Well-Known Member
Has anyone ever done it? I have always wanted to and would like to do it next year with a couple of other boats from NI.
Caledonial canal
- Thread starter skipper681
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baggypipes
Well-Known Member
caledonian canal
came through a couple of months ago what do you want to know, PM if you like
came through a couple of months ago what do you want to know, PM if you like
skipper681
Well-Known Member
It's something I've always wanted to do, just wondering to go east or west of Islay, coming from Ballycastle, good moorings/pubs etc
.It's an itch I need to scratch as they say
Fascadale
Well-Known Member
Beautiful
Easy
2 days or 10 days
Prevailing wind supposedly SW
Easy
2 days or 10 days
Prevailing wind supposedly SW
Robert Wilson
Well-Known Member
Not done it myself, but have "driven it" many a time. Should be very enjoyable by boat. Some superb scenery.
People I know say it's a great experience, especially if weather/midgies ok.
Think it costs about £180 for the locks etc.
Make sure you can get under the Kessock Bridge at Inverness (29 metres clearance). One guy couldn't and had to turn around and go all the way back down to Ft William and then round the top. Oops, he was a delivery skipper! I think.
skipper681
Well-Known Member
Thats why I want to do it, probably only as far as Loch Ness but you never know.
My boats not in the Marina yet so haven't met any other folk there yet but this trip I've been planning for years.
skipper681
Well-Known Member
As an old trawler Skipper from Northern Ireland I've never used a lock, never been on a canal in my life, it's all part of the fun and to be honest that's why I will be going with other boats, any advice welcomed. especially tides into Fort William
tyce
Well-Known Member
Would fancy doing it myself but always wondered what to do when at the other end, do others turn round and come back, having a boat on the east coast would be no good for me.
Robert Wilson
Well-Known Member
Welllllllllllll, I s'pose you could go round the top first!! (be very proud, brave and wee bit daft) Then home down the canal. But that would likely be against the wind.
jimi
Well-Known Member
Went through it this year with SWBO & daughter and it was really quite simple. We went halfway and stopped at Laggan Locks overnight (cos the lock had bust otherwise we would have gone to Ft Augustus and stopped there). Its quite fun. You can get a deal to include the Crinan as well
skipper681
Well-Known Member
Meet us at the Mull of Kintyre, we'll head up, catch the monster and come home lol
billgray
Well-Known Member
Caledonian canal
Done it many times. It's great and really good value. We found the staff very helpful. Take your time and enjoy.
Done it many times. It's great and really good value. We found the staff very helpful. Take your time and enjoy.
skipper681
Well-Known Member
What costs are involved?
awol
Well-Known Member
It's something I've always wanted to do, just wondering to go east or west of Islay, coming from Ballycastle, good moorings/pubs etc
It's an itch I need to scratch as they say
As always, it depends. To the east of Islay gives more shelter from westerlies and access to more marinas, pubs and golf courses. If you really want to do canals, up the east side of Kintyre and through the Crinan can be very pleasant and adds more pubs.
Tides - Reeds, Clyde Cruising or any other pilot (try your local library) will give you details but basically the flood flows north and west.
If you intend to go round the top, a west to east trip round via the Orkneys is usually easier but your experience may differ,
Caledonian Canal is a very easy, laid back trip though getting past The Eagle can take willpower. Enjoy the planning
PS The Scottish Waterways website with Skipper's Guide tells all about costs
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jdc
Well-Known Member
29/09/2012 I was charged £220.16 for a 42' (12.8m) boat transiting from Clachnaharry to Corpach (Inverness to Fort William). This was for up to 7 nights mooring as well, so actually not too bad value. We stopped at Fort Augustus (pubs and good coffee) and at Gairlochy (b^**£r all), then left the boat for 4 nights at Corpach.
Just looked it up: £17.20 per metre.
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billgray
Well-Known Member
Caledonian canal
Web site will keep you right with lots of info.
Web site will keep you right with lots of info.
Robert Wilson
Well-Known Member
As I said, I think it's currently £180.ish for the passage of the Claedonian. And yes, you get a discount if you do both (Crinan and Caley).
Just Google Caleydonian Canal.
ProDave
Well-Known Member
Skippers guide for the canal here http://www.scottishcanals.co.uk/media/93260/caley sg 2011 web version standard update dec 2011.pdf
Fascadale
Well-Known Member
Depends on you.
Depends on the boat
Depends on the weather.
Easiest option is to do a U turn
or if your draught and air height are OK return through the Forth Clyde Canal
or as has been suggested go round the top
jdc
Well-Known Member
Sorry, but this is inconsistent to the point of being plain misleading. Not to fit under the bridge your mast has to be 29m (nearly 90'), so your length will be around 20m. This will be nearer £350 than £180. The OP simply does not have to worry about bridge height (nor draught nor LOA nor beam); he'll fit. Some of the 'tall ships' fleet came through the Caledonian canal.
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