East to West on Loch Ness?

qcamel · 24 January 2005, 16:12

Anybody know if it is possible to make this journey? I live in Newcastle and have this silly notion that I can simply travel up the East Coast, across Scotland and pop out on the West Coast. Views or information would be much appreciated.

Andre · 24 January 2005, 17:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by qcamel

Anybody know if it is possible to make this journey? I live in Newcastle and have this silly notion that I can simply travel up the East Coast, across Scotland and pop out on the West Coast. Views or information would be much appreciated.

I guess the Forth & Clyde Canal is your answer, never done it but
checkout: www.scottishcanals.co.uk

I picked up a good brochure on this subject at last year's LBS and it is says that the Forth & Clyde canal is about 56km in length (31 Nm) from river Carron Sea Lock on the Firth of Forth to Bowling on the Firth of Clyde. There are 39 locks and a minimum of 21 hours underway should be allowed, in addition 3/4 hours should be added for the passage from Port Edgar and negotiations of the river Carron to the Sea Lock

I am sure our Scottish forum members

will no doubt give some first hand experiences

Just spotted your destination ie Loch Ness . well I suppose you could go all the way up the East Coast and head for Iverness

Or why not all the way round

, if only I had the time

Alan Priddy · 24 January 2005, 18:38

Easy trip, done it loads of times. come into the Morey Firth and enter the Calidonian Canal via the Muirtown Locks. This will take you all the way across Scotland via Loch Ness, through Neptunes Ladder and out into Fort William.
Any problems give me a call

AlanP

Bill S · 26 January 2005, 11:08

As stated, Caledonian Canal/Loch Ness is easy, well known route.

Forth & Clyde - loadsa boring locks within very short distance from River Carron Sea Lock up to Falkirk Wheel (well worth a visit tho). River Carron can be a mucky hole, so make sure to hit it on a high tide. This route means you are canal-bound the whole way, going through Loch Ness lets your engine clear it's throat a bit and is a much more scenic route.

just my opinion,

Bill

qcamel · 26 January 2005, 11:25

Hi Bill

Sorry to sound dim but are you talking about two seperate routes across Scotland here? I was only aware of one. Obviously the scenic and more fun route is preferable. This will be my first full season and I am looking to do some extended cruising and felt that this type of trip would be a good starting point and learning curve. Any advice you wish to share will be warmly accepted.

Would you elaborate on your comments please.

Ollie

jwalker · 26 January 2005, 12:57

Quote:

Sorry to sound dim but are you talking about two seperate routes across Scotland here?

Yes they are.

The Forth and Clyde Canal is a relatively newly re-opened canal system. You enter it by travelling into the Firth of Forth as far a Grangemouth.

The Caledonian Canal is further north and you enter it by travelling into the Moray Firth as far as Inverness. This system uses lochs as part of it with the benefits Bill S has mentioned above.

Bill S · 02 February 2005, 17:25

Yep - What JW says!

Rupert Bear · 17 February 2005, 14:28

Does anybody have any idea of costs and the licence requirements. The British Waterways site mentions these requirements but doesn't give details!
it also mentions a safety scheme and insurance checking, is this something that needs to be done beforhand or when you turn up at the lock>

jwalker · 17 February 2005, 21:56

Rake around the web site, it does give all the info. you require.

Rupert Bear · 18 February 2005, 12:01

Must have missed the charges/conditions on my first visit as it seems to be there now.
Reading it though seems to indicate that RIBs must get a safety inspection before entering which is a pest. The flowchart stops at "not exempt" when you follow it down.

jwalker · 18 February 2005, 12:41

Rupert, I've not re-read the site but I remember deciding that I would be ok up to a month. I seem to remember CE marked boats were fine as visitors. I'll go back and check when I've got a bit of time.

Rupert Bear · 18 February 2005, 14:22

There is a flow chart on the booking form for deciding if an inspection is required or not.
An open boat powered by outboard with an electrical system seems to require one depending on your definition of "electrical system" (which to me means one outside the outboards own.)

Bill S · 24 February 2005, 10:02

Mr Bear,

Why not phone the fine people at the Falkirk Wheel - they have (or had) a 'ickle 4m Narwhal wif a 30hp on it as a safety boat in the marina/basin there - so one would assume that they could tell you what was or was'nt needed. (Cos their own boat would meet the regs -eh?)

Also FYM had a coupla ribs there for the boat show - could ask them if they did anything special.

Bill