Caledonian canal with kids

[tyce]

Thinking of taking our boat through the CC this august but as we will have two 8 year olds on board I was wondering if there is much for them to do, was thinking about making a ten dayish trip there and back from west. Anybody done similar and is the time scale realistic.

 

[Mark-1]

Thinking of taking our boat through the CC this august but as we will have two 8 year olds on board I was wondering if there is much for them to do, was thinking about making a ten dayish trip there and back from west. Anybody done similar and is the time scale realistic.

My folks did it with my brother and I when we were 8. Loved it, still think about it today.

 

[bikedaft]

we did it when we were about that age

kids are great at catching ropes and putting loops over hooks/bollards

had a great time, just stayed in the canal for a week or ten days

 

[JumbleDuck]

Thinking of taking our boat through the CC this august but as we will have two 8 year olds on board I was wondering if there is much for them to do, was thinking about making a ten dayish trip there and back from west. Anybody done similar and is the time scale realistic.

I did a return through the Crinan Canal last year with a very slightly younger crew who had a whale of a time. As bikedaft says, there is lots that children can do to help on shore - in our case all the lockside rope work on the descents.

 

[jimi]

the main locks are in flights so you do a shed load in one go, apart from that theres reasonable mileage in between. Nice scenery etc etc but its not full of play parks and the main(only) fleshpots are Ft William, Ft Augustus and Inverness.

 

[snowleopard]

the main locks are in flights so you do a shed load in one go

For the benefit of those who have done English ditch-crawling, all the locks are operated by the lock keepers so all you need to do is handle the lines and fend off the charter boats.

 

[jimi]

For the benefit of those who have done English ditch-crawling, all the locks are operated by the lock keepers so all you need to do is handle the lines and fend off the charter boats.

the lock keepers also like you to walk the boat's lines from one lock to another in the flights and the lock sides are high so not sure it it would be suitable for 8yo to handle lines.

 

[Sharkx]

You'll get to sail on Loch Ness. Plus castles, fishing, midges and memories. Sounds like a great holiday.

I was one of the charter motor boaters once, didn't have children at that point though.

I'd recommend sailing from Banavie to Fort Augustus and back. You can do this in about four or five days. Loch Ness is huge and there isn't much to do there really. Inverness would be an anti climax if you went all the way there.

 

[duncan99210]

IIRC there's a zoo of some sort at Fort Augustus. I agree with Sharkx about not going further east than there, not much for kids on Loch Ness, but you must have a short monster hunt.
As regards kids and locks, provided they're supervised and in life jackets, no reason why they shouldn't get involved. One advantage of the manned locks is that the lock keepers will keep an eye on things and stop the water flow quickly if things did go wrong.
Enjoy. Oh, and don't forget industrial strength insect repellent!

 

[Sandy]

the main locks are in flights so you do a shed load in one go, apart from that theres reasonable mileage in between. Nice scenery etc etc but its not full of play parks and the main(only) fleshpots are Ft William, Ft Augustus and Inverness.

Not sure if I would describe my home town, Fort William, as a flesh pot!

If they are into outdoors and nature type stuff there is heaps to do.

Off the top of my head, and assuming that you have a few days in Fort William before going up the canal:

• Walk up Ben Nevis;
• Take the Steam Train to Mallaig (the line was used in the Harry Potter films);
• Visit the distillery their basic whisky is very drinkable
• Go up the Nevis Range cable car;
• Visit the West Highland Museum;

The Visit Scotland website might help?

http://www.visitscotland.com/destinations-maps/highlands/see-do/

There is tons to do.

 

[Romeo]

Wind tends to be howling straight up or straight down Loch Ness, which in its own way is fairly featureless. However if the weather is good it is probably worth while going up to Drumnadrochit where there are various tacky monster exhibitions and Castle Urquart (which I am told now has a very good interpretation exhibition). If I was eight I would be disappointed if I was up there and did not get to sail on Loch Ness, with its monster dangers.

 

[Mark-1]

the lock keepers also like you to walk the boat's lines from one lock to another in the flights and the lock sides are high so not sure it it would be suitable for 8yo to handle lines.

My brother and I handled the lines and typically had control of the boat 24/7 on our Cal Canal trip. Taking responsibility for the boat was the reason we loved it.

If the OP's plan is for his lads to be passengers then yes they will be bored stiff and clearly a beach holiday where they can head off independently in dinghy under their own steam would be vastly preferable.

 

[jimi]

Not sure if I would describe my home town, Fort William, as a flesh pot!

If they are into outdoors and nature type stuff there is heaps to do.

Off the top of my head, and assuming that you have a few days in Fort William before going up the canal:

• Walk up Ben Nevis;
• Take the Steam Train to Mallaig (the line was used in the Harry Potter films);
• Visit the distillery their basic whisky is very drinkable
• Go up the Nevis Range cable car;
• Visit the West Highland Museum;

The Visit Scotland website might help?

http://www.visitscotland.com/destinations-maps/highlands/see-do/

There is tons to do.

loads to do if into outdoors, however not easily accesible if boatbound, you need a car as well. We were fortunate in that we had one. We'd left the car in Largs and I got the train from Ft William to get it, the line from Ft WIlliam to Glasgow is one of THE great train journeys in the UK. Even if walking up the Ben a car is useful as otherwise its a trek to the start of the tourist path.

I was assuming the OP meant staying on the boat without resort to other transport.

skippers guide here:
http://greatglencanoetrail.info/uploads/documents/caley_skippers_guide_2011_web_version_lo_res.pdf

it does say on P5:

"However, at main lock flights ropes of small
craft should be tended from shore, by an adult, to
permit vessels to be "walked" from lock to lock on the
flight. This avoids the need to start & stop engines and
throw lines ashore at each lock."

 

[Malo37]

It's a great trip. I have a pic of my eight year old daughter helming our Seastream in a canal section from many years ago. She still remembers it 20 years later. One of the very few places where you can take your yacht into the mountains and forests. As stated elsewhere downtown Inverness is pretty awful but exit the canal, stay overnight in Inverness Marina, and sail to Cromarty for an overnight visit. Good anchorage just off the village, good food at the hotel and you would be very unlucky not to see the famous Moray Firth dolphins.

 

[jimi]

in August 2 years ago, going down Loch Ness

 

[onesea]

That brings back memories,

Inverness worth a visit

Docgarroch did not hold much on my last visit but a quite night and some pleasant short walks on the other side of the canal,
On Loch Ness is not an issue give them (there own they are not that expensive) binoculars and there is a monster to be found!

Can you still stop at the Clansman?
Drumnadrochet now has a marina? but is a bit of a walk to the museums,
Drumnadrochet Castle Sadly I do not think use the pier in the lee of the castle? used to be Cracking Place to spend the night.
The waterfall at Foyers Falls by the power station? Can you still moor there?
The Dores Inn @ Dores (used to sell great Guinness?) do they still have free buoys?
Fort Augustus as others have said.

Loch Oich has the great Glen Water park that should have something to amuse (but may need booking/ pre-arranging?)

Its Loch Lochy that I find consider the least interesting.

Do you think 10 days will be enough? Well it will be a squeeze and there will be disappointments but that is part of lifes rich pattern!

 

[Sandy]

however not easily accesible if boatbound, you need a car as well.

Not been by experience, moor off the Fort or at Trislaig and after a short dinghy trip you are in town.

Busses, trains and taxis can be taken to most places.

 

[Quandary]

That brings back memories,

Inverness worth a visit, - Yes only city in the Highlands (intersting cemetery on a drumlin a bit along the canal)

Docgarroch did not hold much on my last visit but a quite night and some pleasant short walks on the other side of the canal,
On Loch Ness is not an issue give them (there own they are not that expensive) binoculars and there is a monster to be found!

Can you still stop at the Clansman? - Jacobite have about three trip boats now and they all seem to use the wee harbour.
Drumnadrochet now has a marina? but is a bit of a walk to the museums,
Drumnadrochet Castle Sadly I do not think use the pier in the lee of the castle? used to be Cracking Place to spend the night. - Castle Urquhart pontoon is private, used by trip boats
The waterfall at Foyers Falls by the power station? Can you still moor there? - Yes plenty of depth and usually quiet, bring a disposable barbecue.
The Dores Inn @ Dores (used to sell great Guinness?) do they still have free buoys? - Not officially and there is no Rockness this year
Fort Augustus as others have said.

Loch Oich has the great Glen Water park that should have something to amuse (but may need booking/ pre-arranging?) - usually first come and popular with hire cruisers,

Its Loch Lochy that I find consider the least interesting. - Gairlochy is nice but a fair walk to the Commando Memorial or the other way to the Clan Cameron museum, more like biking distance

Do you think 10 days will be enough? Well it will be a squeeze and there will be disappointments but that is part of lifes rich pattern!

- We spend a about a week each autumn on a two way transit and a couple of days inc. Gael Force for end of season offers. One night Corpach or Banavie each way, extra day if you want to go up the Ben, One night Gairlochy, One night each way at Fort Augustus, night at Foyers couple of nights Inverness, Night at Drumnadrochit though once is enough. Great spot to stop at weekends at Loch A Choire if heading for Oban, Highland estate with free moorings and limited opening restaurant in old boathouse for venison and seafood. Spectacular remoteness.

Be wary if you encounter a Jacobite trip boat in Loch Dochfour, at least one of the skippers appears to have a problem with yachts.

 

[A1Sailor]

in August 2 years ago, going down Loch Ness

Looks as if it was an experience enjoyed by all!

 

[billgray]

When our kids were young we did the canal most years and they absolutely loved it. Lots to do and see. They especially liked the shops at Fort Augustus - highlight of the holiday for them!