petedg
Well-Known Member
Looking to sail in this area summer of next year for 1 week in July/August. Does it get very crowded? Any advice how to get the best from 1 week, which I'm sure is not enough? Any recommendation for a good guide?
Caledonian canal questions
- Thread starter petedg
- Start date
awol
Well-Known Member
The Skippers' Guide is well worth perusal. "Crowded" is a relative term - I use the canal as a transit and have only found Fort Augustus difficult to find a parking space but there are alternatives nearby, though without the pubs. Avoid Fridays at Laggan and Dochgarroch when the hire cruisers set off after their comprehensive 5 minute tuition which doesn't seem to encompass the lack of brakes, and in the same vein, let the hire cruisers into the locks first. Midge repellent is a necessity!
Bru
Well-Known Member
We went in May last year and it was busy enough - 4 hour wait to lock down at Fort Augustus for example. Moorings filled up pretty quickly each evening too - mostly with hired motorboats from Caley crewed by German and Scandanavian crews on fishing trips
The yard we hired from reckoned we were wise to go in May rather than July / August! Not only was the canal quieter but the midges were not much in evidence.
If it's a sea to sea passage you've got in mind I don't think it'd matter much but if you're planning to explore the area on the way through and can arrange things to get there earlier in the year that'd be my recommendation
The yard we hired from reckoned we were wise to go in May rather than July / August! Not only was the canal quieter but the midges were not much in evidence.
If it's a sea to sea passage you've got in mind I don't think it'd matter much but if you're planning to explore the area on the way through and can arrange things to get there earlier in the year that'd be my recommendation
ctva
Well-Known Member
We've use the Caledonian Canal several times over the years in July / Aug and it's big enough to accommodate all users with ease. Yes, if you arrive at Neptunes Staircase and miss the up or down locking, but that's the same at any set of locks. But, hey, chill and have a drink! At a push, you can transit the canal in 48hrs but why rush.
It's a great place to visit with interesting things to see and do all along. Muirtown Basin is within 10 mins walking distance of Inverness, Fort Augustus is very nice, Glen Garry Hotel in Loch Oich is great for afternoon cream tea and a game of tennis (free!), Laggan locks has a floating pub and as mentioned above just avoid on a Friday / Saturday. Banavie and Corpach are good for Fort William. All in all a great relaxing trip. Also the sailing at both ends is good and varied.
Take some citronella candles for the cockpit and Avon Skin So Soft to keep the midges at bay!
snooks
Well-Known Member
Define crowded 
Like the Hamble on a Sunday afternoon, nope. We transited this time last year and didn't have any trouble finding somewhere to moor, or find it crowded until the Lord of the Glens came through
Basically if you're approaching a staircase, radio ahead to find out how long the next up/down time will be and plan your arrival for that. Also if you can time your arrival at a lock to arrive before the lock keepers lunch time you can move while the lock keepers are lunching.
If you have to opportunity to go through a staircase go, you could be waiting for hours if you don't If you do have to wait, it's not a bad place to be waiting.
Stock up on diesel, food, beer and wine before too far into the canal as there aren't that many places to go shopping for food, and if you're somewhere you can buy food you could be somewhere prettier.
Don't expect to sail, the winds in the lochs can be flukey
The Lovat Arms Hotel at Fort Augustus does fine food, it's pricey, but worth it.
Get some Expedition 50
Like the Hamble on a Sunday afternoon, nope. We transited this time last year and didn't have any trouble finding somewhere to moor, or find it crowded until the Lord of the Glens came through
Basically if you're approaching a staircase, radio ahead to find out how long the next up/down time will be and plan your arrival for that. Also if you can time your arrival at a lock to arrive before the lock keepers lunch time you can move while the lock keepers are lunching.
If you have to opportunity to go through a staircase go, you could be waiting for hours if you don't If you do have to wait, it's not a bad place to be waiting.
Stock up on diesel, food, beer and wine before too far into the canal as there aren't that many places to go shopping for food, and if you're somewhere you can buy food you could be somewhere prettier.
Don't expect to sail, the winds in the lochs can be flukey
The Lovat Arms Hotel at Fort Augustus does fine food, it's pricey, but worth it.
Get some Expedition 50
petedg
Well-Known Member
Crowded for us is when you have to raft up.
Thanks for all your answers its appreciated.
Thanks for all your answers its appreciated.
ProDave
Well-Known Member
until the Lord of the Glens came through
From that link:
"Built in 1988 the Lord of the Glens underwent a complete re-construction in Spain in 2000. This makes her the only vessel able to navigate both the Caledonian Canal and the open sea."
So all the other boats that pass through the canal are un seaworthy then ?
snowleopard
Well-Known Member
If you are down at the Inverness end the convenient place to shop is the Coop right next to Seaport marina. A word of caution there though - if you stay overnight don't moor on the pontoons next to the fence as local lowlife like to lob rocks at the boats from behind the fence. Berth in front of the buildings. There is a nice pub just up the road at Clachnaharry.
snooks
Well-Known Member
snowleopard
Well-Known Member
I'd say Inverness is the up end
Given the direction of the prevailing wind, water levels tend to be higher on the West coast so Inverness is the lower end
ctva
Well-Known Member
Must be just you they don't like as we've never had a problem.
This year they are in the middle of putting in several more pontoons with finger berths to cope with the increasing number of users. New toilets as well. Another good thing on the canal is BT Openzone Wi-Fi at most locks.
Also if you need chandlery, Gael Force and Cally Marine are both within 15mins walk of Seaport Marina.
PoRL9
Active Member
"Don't expect to sail, the winds in the lochs can be flukey"
I can back that up. If it's directly along the loch, it can be stunning (I once goose-winged the length of Loch Ness in glorious sunshine. Absolutely fantastic), but if it tumbles over the hills then it's constantly backing then veering.
I can back that up. If it's directly along the loch, it can be stunning (I once goose-winged the length of Loch Ness in glorious sunshine. Absolutely fantastic), but if it tumbles over the hills then it's constantly backing then veering.
