Youngest person to use the Caledonian Canal?

[Quandary]

As a Highland Scot I do know that I am missing the best bits. To strike another blow I've been advised that you cannot do a single handed transit of the Caly Canal this year due to COVID. I arrived in Peterhead and have asked many friends, but strongly suspect I'll be turning the boat round and heading back to Plymouth. There is always another year.

The rule seems to vary in its application, If you get in to Muirtown (tell them your granny is coming over to help you day after tomorrow) you should be able to find someone among the liveaboards to walk you up, once you get to the other end of Loch Ness tell them she went home, any bystander will do as a stand in, or you can tie alongside a bigger boat and walk their lines. I will be coming back from Fortwilliam next Saturday (by car) and could perhaps stay for an hour or two to help at Ft. Aggie or Banavie if that is of any help, (subject to parental permission of course) but I think you will find the keepers on site are less rigid than the management.
It only involves walking a line from one mooring hook to the next and perhaps catching a stern line, it is crazy that single handed transit of the Crinan with its manual locks is fine but not on the automated Cally
I helped a Swedish single hander through the Crinan on Friday, trying to get his boat home after two years stuck ashore at Largs. He is going to be narked if they send him round the top.

 

[dgadee]

As a Highland Scot I do know that I am missing the best bits. To strike another blow I've been advised that you cannot do a single handed transit of the Caly Canal this year due to COVID. I arrived in Peterhead and have asked many friends, but strongly suspect I'll be turning the boat round and heading back to Plymouth. There is always another year.

You are - as you well know - certainly missing the best bits if you don't go north. Going around Cape Wrath for the first time was quite emotional (luckily I was alone).

But ... you only need someone for the first couple of locks on the canal and then you can tell them that the crew fled leaving you alone. I did it in May of this year and found most of the lock keepers more than helpful - Dougie in particular at the Eastern end. The only place which wouldn't help with ropes was Fort Augustus. And it had the most staff hanging around.

 

[SaltIre]

Katie had her mother and brother following her in a campervan - so neither she nor her father would be transiting the canal on their own.

Mum Hazel and brother Reuben, aged 10, will be chasing the round-Britain voyagers in a campervan, once the school term finishes on 23 July, and expect to catch up with them in Scotland.

A magnificent achievement.

 

[Quandary]

Sandy
A look at XC weather shows a maximum wind speed of 5Kts. day or night for the next 7 days, if you do go round the top you will need diesel but it will mean you will not miss the best bits as you would coming down Loch Linnhe.

 

[dunedin]

As a Highland Scot I do know that I am missing the best bits. To strike another blow I've been advised that you cannot do a single handed transit of the Caly Canal this year due to COVID. I arrived in Peterhead and have asked many friends, but strongly suspect I'll be turning the boat round and heading back to Plymouth. There is always another year.

That would be a huge shame to abandon due to the “no single handing” rule in the Canal (which was being applied last year as well, I believe). Perhaps a separate post in the forum with a clear title might get some volunteer Canal crew? (I unfortunately have commitments which would prevent).
Or surely a “round the top” trip would be quicker than a return to Plymouth

 

[Sandy]

That would be a huge shame to abandon due to the “no single handing” rule in the Canal (which was being applied last year as well, I believe). Perhaps a separate post in the forum with a clear title might get some volunteer Canal crew? (I unfortunately have commitments which would prevent).
Or surely a “round the top” trip would be quicker than a return to Plymouth

Distance wise I'm about half way round. I've asked in all my social media stuff, but unless anybody is free in the next few days then retracing my route will be the best solution. I have some commitments mid October that I cannot get out of.

 

[westhinder]

Distance wise I'm about half way round. I've asked in all my social media stuff, but unless anybody is free in the next few days then retracing my route will be the best solution. I have some commitments mid October that I cannot get out of.

I do hope you find someone to help you, it would be such a shame to be obliged to sail all the way back

 

[Ceejay]

As a Highland Scot I do know that I am missing the best bits. To strike another blow I've been advised that you cannot do a single handed transit of the Caly Canal this year due to COVID. I arrived in Peterhead and have asked many friends, but strongly suspect I'll be turning the boat round and heading back to Plymouth. There is always another year.

When would you be setting off from Inverness should a crew be available?

 

[ProDave]

Can we do a "forum relay"?

I could potentially meet you at the sea lock and accompany you up to Loch Ness as long as it's done in one day. Could other forum members help with the other staircase locks?

 

[Daydream believer]

Perhaps granddad better keep his boat to do the 5 miles behind bit ?

And do the "oldest circumnavigator" bit whilst he is at it.
Would the youngster be able to get back in time to find his will if the old codger did croak it though?

 

[gordmac]

When are you planning on coming through the canal?

 

[Quandary]

I have been gifted a couple of tickets for the choo choo to Mallaig and we are going on Friday, I therefore could be at Banavie first thing (08 30) Sat. morning with enough time to walk lines down the flight and through the double lock. I would need to know today though, will check back at bedtime.

 

[Sandy]

Hello All

Thanks for the posts about offers of help. I'm sorted with a pal comming up from Plymouth.

Amazing the help that forumites do offer. I am humbled.

Sandy