Fort William anchorage/mooring

[Evenspread]

Hi there,
Has anyone any first hand information on a good overnight anchorage or mooring near Fort William suitable for a 2m draught ?

Thanks in anticipation.

 

[tommccrorie]

Have look at http://www.bluemoment.com/scotmoorings.html - probably too late for this year !!

 

[bikedaft]

its been about 10year since i have been up there, but sheltered just in north of corran narrows, or in sea lock of cale canal, or round to loch eil. pretty exposed at fort william itself. hth...

 

[Krusty]

There is good shelter in the bay of Camus-na-Gall, on the NW side of the loch just opposite FW. There are local fishing-boat moorings: finding space might be one problem, and weed might be another, but I've used it with one anchor deep and another almost on the beach to limit swing. Tidestream was not a problem close in.
Beware anchoring among the moorings off Corpach: there are old WW2 moorings and other rubbish down there. I had a fouled anchor there, and broke a shackle trying to recover it.
Good luck!

 

[NormanS]

On the south shore, just opposite the canal entrance at Corpach, is good. I used often to anchor there for the night, and then go into the canal first thing in the morning. I think Lochaber YC has a visitor's mooring available at their club moorings at Ft W.

 

[gordmac]

Canal basin
http://www.lochaberwatersports.co.uk/ may be able to help

 

[Quandary]

Corpach basin

In summer the Canal discourages overnight stays in the basin and usually expect you to go to the limited pontoon berths above the double lock, but this may only apply if you are in transit. The waiting pontoon outside the sea lock floats very low and is a bit exposed so at this time of year unless very settled I would anchor on the other side as suggested above. The Yacht Club at Fortwilliam appeared to maintain two visitor moorings when we were there at the beginning of September. The little marina at Ballachulish is often full when the charter boats are in so it is worth telephoning on approach, clearance under the bridge is just 16m.

 

[Evenspread]

Thanks for all the replies. We decided against using the canal pontoon as a SW was due. The yacht club were very forthcoming with an offer of a buoy but we were also offered overnight use of one quite close to the canal which we eventually used, saving the trouble of anchoring.