New name + Caledonian Canal stop-overs

[gandy]

Hi,

Firstly, I've just changed my display name from "aesmith" which was rather boringly derived from one of my email addresses. I was seriously tempted to go for "Ships_Turkey", which is still available. But I don't have the experience to be a ships anything. Also I have more pictures of geese available.

Back to the question.

We're going to be spending a few days on the Caledonian Canal, and I'm looking for suggestions for overnight stops there. I'm looking for quiet anchorages or moorings, rather than spending each night at a British Waterways pontoon.

Thanks in advance, Tony S

 

[mikewilkes]

Depends how far you are going.

Dochgarroch just before Loch Ness, Dores Bay ( anchor and go for a meal in the Dores Inn - brilliant food ), Urquhart Bay by Drumnadrochit but dont know if there are any pontoons. Think there are look in the phone book for Gordon Menzies at Temple Pier,Foyers has a pier by the power station, Glen Moriston then down to Fort Augustus - back into the canal.
Try phoning BWB at Muirtown or stop of there when you get through the sea lock. they will have all the bump in their office.
Might try a search on the net - never tried it so cant tell you what you might get.

 

[mikewilkes]

Just tried a search and this one looks interesting

Caly Canal

 

[snowleopard]

our favourite was a pontoon at the Well of the Seven Heads. nice peaceful spot and great views.

had a bit of bother at urquhart castle as the anchorage is small and there was a boat there already. we dragged about 50 yds and by the time the gps alarm went off the anchor was hanging vertically! you can sometimes pick up the steamer buoy as long as you get away early.

 

[Gunfleet]

You could be 'Ship's Boat', thereby pre-empting an often asked question.

 

[gandy]

Cheers. I've downloaded and printed the Caledonian Canal Skippers Guide. The liitle charts are quite clear, but some don't have any scale. There are no soundings, and only occasional depth contours - hence my question about suitable anchorages, 'cos I know some of the lochs are seriously deep. The Imray "chart" doesn't give depths either.

In some ways the OS maps give most information.


Tony S

 

[snowleopard]

my echo sounder works reliably to over 100m but 50 yards from the shore in loch ness it gave up. there are only a couple of little ledges to anchor. the rest of the lochs are shallow.

 

[gandy]

Is Loch Lochy not deep? For some reason I thought it was - time will tell, anyway.

Tony S

 

[snowleopard]

yes, i think lochy is pretty deep though nothing like ness. oich is shallow. just looked on the chart- the well of the 7 heads is by the shop at ardrishaig at the W end of l oich.

 

[gandy]

Excellent. The Well of Seven Heads is the one with the gory story behind it, mustn't miss that. Along with the official Monstor Exhibition, and something called a "Nessietarium" at Dores.

Tony S

 

[snowleopard]

another good chuckle is the staircase at fort augustus. your chance for 15 minutes of fame as all the tourists watch you locking up or down. see how many you can persuade to stand still while you throw a wet & oily warp at them /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif