Caledonian C anal – Moorings? Pontoons?

[Ian_Edwards]

We’re about to bring our boat back to the East Coast of Scotland via the Cale’. I intend to buy the 8 day licence and it’ll probably take us 5 or 6days to transit, so all should be OK.
However, there is a possibility that I’ll be called back to Aberdeen for some urgent work, so may need to leave the boat unattended for a day or two. I understand that the 8 days excluded time in the Lochs (I may not be correct … so if you know better please let me know). Can anyone recommend a good place to leave the boat, preferable out of the Canal sections, so I don’t have to extend the licence?
Locations and contact details would be great; the boat is 12m with a draft of 1.7m.
I’ve search the internet with obvious search terms and drawn a blank so far.

 

[davidej]

We’re about to bring our boat back to the East Coast of Scotland via the Cale’. I intend to buy the 8 day licence and it’ll probably take us 5 or 6days to transit, so all should be OK.
However, there is a possibility that I’ll be called back to Aberdeen for some urgent work, so may need to leave the boat unattended for a day or two. I understand that the 8 days excluded time in the Lochs (I may not be correct … so if you know better please let me know). Can anyone recommend a good place to leave the boat, preferable out of the Canal sections, so I don’t have to extend the licence?
Locations and contact details would be great; the boat is 12m with a draft of 1.7m.
I’ve search the internet with obvious search terms and drawn a blank so far.

I don't think this is right - I think the 8 days start when you enter at Corpach and end when you exit at the Clachnaharry Sea Lock (or VV).
We left the boat at a very reasonable cost at the Seaport Marina just inside the sea lock. The charge included the extension to our licence and a week there was about the same as a night near Dublin!

 

[Gin]

Does this help at all?

http://www.waterscape.com/media/documents/20714.pdf

 

[RIB_imposter]

I am fairly certain that the 8 days are 8 consecutive days (i.e. buy it monday it runs till the following tuesday) and thats it. I think there are other options e.g. 16 individual days throughout the year... BW Scotland very helpful. Give them a call or email (I will PM you the Caley Canal "Relationship Manager"'s details!). Explain the issue and she will advise.

You don't need a license for the loch's themselves - but your license time will be ticking away whilst you are on them!

 

[Ian_Edwards]

Hi,
I think that's where I got confused; you don’t need a licence for the Lochs, but it’s a licence for 8 contiguous days. If I get as far as Seaport, I’d be tempted, weather permitting, to just carry on to our berth in Peterhead. I was looking for places nearer Loch Ness or Loch Lochy. Any ideas?

 

[gandy]

You could try contacting West Highland Sailing in Laggan at the top of Loch Lochy. Their pontoons are all intended for their hire fleet, but its got to be worth a try to see if they'd rent you a space.

 

[Relax]

If you buy the licence on a Monday it runs out - the following Monday!!! (that'll be eight calendar days by BW's reconing)

I got caught this way last year - but we came to an 'understanding'.

 

[RIB_imposter]

Hi,
I think that's where I got confused; you don’t need a licence for the Lochs, but it’s a licence for 8 contiguous days. If I get as far as Seaport, I’d be tempted, weather permitting, to just carry on to our berth in Peterhead. I was looking for places nearer Loch Ness or Loch Lochy. Any ideas?

On Loch Ness itself - there aren't any good options! There is Urquart Bay - where the caley cruisers have a harbour/marina. You'll pay £8 per night there on a pay and display (not sure how its set up for long stays) and be a sitting target for hire boats. There is a hotel with a harbour (name has escaped me) a bit further North, where the Jacobite boats operate from. In theory you can stay there - but they don't expect you stay more than one night - and you are a nuisance! There is nowhere else on the loch - unless you just want to drop anchor somewhere?

 

[bobgoode]

You could always knock the transit off in two days and spend the time in the new marina at Inverness

 

[Bilgediver]

Hi,
I think that's where I got confused; you don’t need a licence for the Lochs, but it’s a licence for 8 contiguous days. If I get as far as Seaport, I’d be tempted, weather permitting, to just carry on to our berth in Peterhead. I was looking for places nearer Loch Ness or Loch Lochy. Any ideas?

There are berths above and below the Locks at Fort Augustus and the cost of using these is I believe included in the licence...There is a bus service Ft Augusus to Inverness and then probably one Inverness to Aberdeen or Peterhead.

There is the basin before the sea lock also Inverness Marina Nairn or Lossiemouth.

 

[willie4646]

If your not sight seeing, you can transit the canal a comfortable three days (out in the third day). Break your journey at the new Inverness Marina.
Willie

 

[Strathglass]

We’re about to bring our boat back to the East Coast of Scotland via the Cale’. I intend to buy the 8 day licence and it’ll probably take us 5 or 6days to transit, so all should be OK.
However, there is a possibility that I’ll be called back to Aberdeen for some urgent work, so may need to leave the boat unattended for a day or two. I understand that the 8 days excluded time in the Lochs (I may not be correct … so if you know better please let me know). Can anyone recommend a good place to leave the boat, preferable out of the Canal sections, so I don’t have to extend the licence?
Locations and contact details would be great; the boat is 12m with a draft of 1.7m.
I’ve search the internet with obvious search terms and drawn a blank so far.

Plenty of places. Your draft should be ok for the following.

Lagan-West Highland sailing,
Fort Augustus - either side of the series of locks (on the North side)
It is also possible to drop an anchor beside Cherry Island but it is a bit shallow. Anchoring elsewhere on Loch Ness is just not practical the 'sea bed' plunges down at an angle of almost 45 degrees from the shore in most places.
Drumnadrochit - but they charge by the night on top of the canal fee (fairly secure in most weathers) ask the minibus drivers and the skippers of the sightseeing cruisers for details.
Clansman Motel - half way up Loch Ness (North side) I would Not advise I have had to pull boats out from there to minimise damage to them in heavy weather.
Dochgarroch - back into the Canal from the north side of Loch Ness. One or two jetty's there either side of the locks. You have to check with the canal people before leaving a boat there for any length of time.
Calley marine - North of Loch Ness. Fairly secure. You may be able to arrange something with them and the canal people to 'modify' your 8 days.
Seaport Marina - pontoons and fairly secure. not too expensive either.
Inverness Marina - The new place outside the north end of the canal.
Then various places round the coast. Depends where your final destination is.

You can get through the canal in a couple of days. (done it in one in a fast powerboat)
But three days is easier.

Your best bet, as has been said, is to phone the people in the office at Inverness at the basin. They are very helpful and obliging.

Cheers

Iain