Great scenery. Fewer places to stop than say the Thames or broads but very worthwhilePot Noodle Challenge Winner 2011
I refuse to have a battle of wits with an unarmed person
8th Mar 2020 9:27 pm
Leon
Member Since: 26 Apr 2014
Location: Leamington Spa
Posts: 434
Was thinking about the stopping places, we are looking at going in October , the normal boat holiday time.
Last edited by Leon on 9th Mar 2020 6:49 am. Edited 1 time in total
8th Mar 2020 9:31 pm
galwaygreen
Member Since: 30 Oct 2011
Location: plymouth
Posts: 6525
big place
8th Mar 2020 11:33 pm
RBB
Member Since: 19 Nov 2018
Location: Fife
Posts: 167
Have a look on scottish canals website or specifically google "skippers guide Caledonian canal" There are plenty of places to stop, usually Lockside or next to swing bridges....how far you get and where you want to stop will depend on how fast you go ! and if there are any stoppages. many years ago we hired from Cale Cruisers at the Inverness end, a long mid week in October and only managed as far as Fort Augustus, by the time they do the hand over, tuition etc the lock at Dochdarroch had closed, and it was nearly dark so first night there, second night at Fort Augustus, couldn't go any further due to a closure in the next pound, back and forth on Loch Ness, plenty to see Castle Urquhart and the Clansman all have berths. The weather can whip up pretty quick anytime but especially in October, my Mrs got seasick heading back against a very stiff breeze to Fort Augustus
To compare a mate and I did it in 2 small ribs last year in May coast to coast in 3days 2 nights, wild camping at the various spots in the skippers guide, its an awesome place, awesome scenery and an awesome engineering feat !
See how quick the weather can change in a day two ! (Remember no such thing as BAD weather in Scotland, you just haven't got the right clothes on !)
8th May 2020 1:41 pm
waterbuoy
Member Since: 26 Oct 2013
Location: Argyll
Posts: 2929
Jamie and his team at Caley Cruisers will look after you, provided lockdown has lifted by then. It is very different from waterway based holidays elsewhere - not least because the main road runs along it for the whole route. However, the lochs and canal sections are big enough to allow plenty of privacy.
Be warned that in some of the locks, especially Fort Augustus and Neptune's staircase (if you get that far south), it can feel a bit like being in a goldfish bowl as the onlookers peer over the edge to see what is going on. You will end up on literally hundreds of holiday videos etc!
Final warning is that we are currently in our summer season - it has only rained for two days since lockdown started. On the balance of probability it is therefore likely to be changeable (at best) when you head north.Currently 2009 Disco 3 SE, 2013 MY D4 HSE and 2016 D4 SE
Previously:
TD5 Defender 110 CSW (230k miles)
300TDi Disco 1 (289k)
4 RR Classics (300-350k each, 2 manual, 2 auto)
110 V8 CSW (220k)
S3 109 hi cap pickup (ex RN)
S2A 88 Safari SW with lpg conversion (bloody lethal)
8th May 2020 2:50 pm
Leon
Member Since: 26 Apr 2014
Location: Leamington Spa
Posts: 434
Thanks for all the info, we are looking at going with caley cruisers and have looked at the guides they provide.
Really impressed with the quality and the info given on the guides.
It's been one of my must do things, friends that we have always boated with every year on the canals and Norfolk broads for the last 11 years always had the same factory shutdown in November so have never got the chance to do the caledonian because caley cruisers shut in October now friends have retired it's on the cards.
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
