Caledonian opening 1st May?

[dgadee]

Impossible to get a reply from Scottish Canals - no email response and they are all 'working from home' - and wondering whether the canal will be open for transit on 1st May. Anyone have any idea? I note that the Crinan is opening two weeks late - information came from this forum not the Canal website which is still stating 1st May. Jeez. Rubbish communication.

 

[gordmac]

I asked at the Corpach office about a week ago, no indication it wouldn't happen but may be a bit shallow in places.

 

[Sandy]

I asked at the Corpach office about a week ago, no indication it wouldn't happen but may be a bit shallow in places.

Any progress on the marina at Corpach @gordmac ?

I'm planning to visit in September and would prefer to tie up in a marina rather than take the dinghy over to the anchorage at Camusnagaul after a night out with school pals.

 

[dgadee]

Thanks. Anchored Gigha. Not another boat. Pontoons still attached to buoys for winter.

 

[gordmac]

I haven't heard anything about the Corpach marina for a long time. In my opinion a marina in Fort William would be much more sensible. The pontoon at the West End car park is maybe an option?

 

[Pye_End]

I haven't heard anything about the Corpach marina for a long time. In my opinion a marina in Fort William would be much more sensible. The pontoon at the West End car park is maybe an option?

They have a nice web page: News about Corpach Marina on Loch Linnhe Fort William

'Thomas Telford Corpach Marina: First Phases on track for Summer 2021 Opening'

On another part of the site:
'Reserve a marina berth at Corpach

The floating marina infrastructure has been delayed due to the political and bureaucratic complexities of funding the project. We cannot provide a firm date when berths will be available, if at all, in 2021. Be assured that every effort is being made to resolve this fundamental problem.'

 

[gordmac]

Interesting, they do seem to be making progress. From memory it is mainly intended for season berthing rather than transient visitors, I would imagine it would take a long time to get anywhere from there with a sailboat. Something at Fort William itself would be rather better for transient boats as you would be nearer pubs, restaurants and shops. I believe that is part of the plan for the people running the West End pontoon which is primarily for cruise ship tenders. In the absence of those I believe you would be ok using it for a small contribution.

 

[Sandy]

Interesting, they do seem to be making progress. From memory it is mainly intended for season berthing rather than transient visitors, I would imagine it would take a long time to get anywhere from there with a sailboat. Something at Fort William itself would be rather better for transient boats as you would be nearer pubs, restaurants and shops. I believe that is part of the plan for the people running the West End pontoon which is primarily for cruise ship tenders. In the absence of those I believe you would be ok using it for a small contribution.

Thanks @gordmac I went to school at Banavie and my school friends who are still in the area at in either Banavie or Corpach, hence the attraction of the marina. Been a while since I visited Tosh in the Corpach Hotel and if we want to have a meal in the Fort we can get a taxi. Has the Chinese improved since I was last home some 3 years ago? I love a good Chinese meal but the last one there was awful.

 

[dgadee]

Info says 40 berths and 55 applications. Should have made it bigger.

 

[gordmac]

What would they charge to stick it in the basin?
Don't know about the Chinese. On the odd occasion I eat in town I go to the Indian at the West end, it is decent enough.

 

[Quandary]

What would they charge to stick it in the basin?
Don't know about the Chinese. On the odd occasion I eat in town I go to the Indian at the West end, it is decent enough.

Overnight haven - Cally- £4.40 x m. first night, then £1,60.

 

[dgadee]

At Corpach and canal opens tomorrow. Not much sign of a new marina.

 

[Pye_End]

At Corpach and canal opens tomorrow. Not much sign of a new marina.

Do you know if it is open to single handers?

 

[jamie N]

Not sure if this is any help, but it's not had any restrictions in the past, certainly for the past 6 years when I've transited it.
I was always offered the option of 'rafting' with another boat coming through, which saved me effort and them time!

 

[dgadee]

Everyone gone home. Will ask in morning.

 

[ProDave]

I have a friend with a boat at Muirtown Basin and he said it opened on 26th April. Perhaps that was just the Inverness end, and 1st May was the date for through transits?

 

[dgadee]

Not sure. They talk as though no movement here until tomorrow. Lock gate replacement has been the winter project.

 

[Quandary]

I met a guy in Oban last year trying to get home to the Humber, he was a single hander with a dog, had been turned away at Corpach because of Covid restrictions, lock keepers forbidden to handle lines. I suggested that he should have told them that his auntie was turning up to helphim tomorrow, if he had got in I am fairly sure he would have got help to get through. I have been told to tie alongside going up Neptunes in a 38 footer and his wee yacht was much smaller than that. Unfortunately having been turned away he had no option but to go round the top.

 

[dgadee]

No single handers. Though my crew is weak they gave a hand. Crew on other boat helped.

 

[dgadee]

Why so few FW taps? It is Scotland!