scotland licence or not ?

[mtb]

We are off up for a two week tour caravanning around scotland which I'm looking forwards to. I'm taking an inflatable and 2hp outboard to add another thing to do.
Now can anyone tell me do I need to get a license to use locks or inland rivers ? and of course any good spots to explore PLEASE
If so where do I go online to sort it and will one ticket cover all ?
If it's a pain to sort we might just stick to having a play in the sea.

After the hols up there, body permitting I'm off to play boats along the Norfolk / wash area's but I'm not looking forwards to trying to get my kip, as the pile driving out on the wind farm comes through to wells at low tide GOD IT'S FLIPPING HORRIBLE DUUUURRR duf duf duf duf DUUURRR duff duff DUUUURRRR DUF DUF DUF none stop. I still grind my teeth thinking of the noise. Nine months of it or more to come. They claim to be monitoring the seals to see if it upsets them what about me !!!

cheers
Mick

 

[prv]

Will earplugs not help with the noise? Vital with some of the snoring machines I've shared boats with (and I'm just as guilty). Also inhabiting a cabin directly above a cavitating propellor that roared with every passing wave so's you couldn't speak.

Just make sure you get them in properly - follow the instructions to let them expand in place, don't just ram them in like a cork.

Pete

 

[Romeo]

Now can anyone tell me do I need to get a license to use locks or inland rivers ? and of course any good spots to explore PLEASE
If so where do I go online to sort it and will one ticket cover all ?

If you mean locks, then I suspect you should check with British Waterways. If you mean Lochs then you probably don't need a license, but should be sensitive to others. Loch Lomond and Trosachs National Park probably offer some guidance, and they cover several of the more acessable pleasant lochs.

 

[Little Rascal]

Hi mtb

Sounds like you are going to have fun!

If you were in a canoe or kayak you have a legal right to access to any inland water. The situation changes if you have an outboard.

For canals you will need a short term license from www.scottishcanals.co.uk

Loch Lomond requires power boats to register for a few quid but there are free public slipways. Loch Tay Boating Centre will charge you to launch (www.loch-tay.co.uk/launching.htm)

Other lochs are probably best taken on case by case basis - fishing is the big thing here so any land owner will expect that is what you are doing. If in doubt contact the relevant estate office first, they will usually be friendly enough.

Plenty of great spots on sea lochs though, Loch Torridon and Loch Sheildaig (slipway) are beautiful.

Another good resource is:
www.clydemarinepress.ndo.co.uk/welcome_anchorages.pdf

Hope some of this helps!

Little Rascal

 

[Romeo]

Hi mtb

Sounds like you are going to have fun!

If you were in a canoe or kayak you have a legal right to access to any inland water. The situation changes if you have an outboard.
Little Rascal

Link to Scottish Outdoor Access Code here:

http://www.outdooraccess-scotland.com/outdoors-responsibly/your-access-rights/

 

[Searush]

Don't forget that many of the sea lochs are as sheltered as the inland ones & tides are generally pretty small (2-3mtrs).

 

[mtb]

thanks

spot on info lads
I'll get onto em now, Loch Lomond has an easy form to fill in, we will chuck the thing in our selves its only a zodiac but at least I get to play boats which has to be better than visiting touristy places every day
re pile driving I have to take amitriptyline to even attemt sleep but that noise kept me awake !! oh well roll on next year
cheers
Mick