Loch Ness. Pru and Tim

[oldgit]

Watched them do the canal and Loch Ness in the last programme.
Any comments on just how far you could travel on hire boat in week. ?
Quite impressed with the scenery and prices not that outrageous.

 

[prof pat pending]

You can comfortably do it all and back, it's absolutely gorgeous, we loved it.

 

[dunedin]

You can comfortably do it all and back, it's absolutely gorgeous, we loved it.

+1. We transited this year, and the staff are great.
But note that Loch Ness can be surprisingly bumpy in a strong South Westerly, so choose timing for this bit.
And add a stroll up Ben Nevis if the weather is suitable.

Note that hire boats generally are not allowed to do Neptune's Staircase at the West End, nor the last couple of Locks at the East end

 

[neale]

We did the whole thing, there and back, in a week. Was lovely.

 

[oldgit]

Thanks all, appear to be 3 main boat companies involved any recommendations and suggestions.
Prob be six in our party and suspect will be at peakhire time.
...and wha boot 'culicoides impunctatus'

 

[Divemaster1]

Shortest one way transit time is 24 hrs .... from sea to sea...which usually is for commercial boats or when RNLI are transiting serviced boats and tide plays your game (which seldom works..). On the rental cruisers (recommend picking up in Inverness as there are more facilities and better transport links), you ought to allow for three days each way... and as others have said, you will only be allowed to the top of Neptunes Staircase (West) and start at the top of Muirtown Locks (East). Whilst regular transits may be perceived boring, there is no denying that the scenery blows me away every time....

 

[Bouba]

Is there a speed limit?

 

[neale]

Thanks all, appear to be 3 main boat companies involved any recommendations and suggestions.
Prob be six in our party and suspect will be at peakhire time.
...and wha boot 'culicoides impunctatus'

We went with Caley Cruisers, the same outfit that Pru and Tim used. We had a nice Broom 38 but looks like the celebs got one of their lovely new Haines. They also have some older Brooms too. Nice friendly bunch and being at one end of the canal makes more sense, to me at least. Think we went in July from memory and there was no problem at all with midges. We were also very lucky with the weather. If you know where to look, you could read about our trip. Dec 15 issue ;-)

 

[Divemaster1]

Is there a speed limit?

Canal stretches 5 knot ... Loch Ness and Loch Lochy = None ... Loch Oich, in principle none, but there is only a short stretch which you realistically would/could keep speeds of a moderately sized cruiser above 10 knots...

 

[oldgit]

Ta