Cruising Scotland On The Caledonian Canal Do It Yourself
A way to get your cruising itch scratched why not try Scotcation? Get afloat and skipper your own boat.
Head south of Loch Ness to the Caledonian Canal and take your own command. Promoting yourself to Captain and join the ‘Le Boat’ fleet for an alternative UK Covid safe cruise experience.
Promoted to Captain for the cruise.
The international self-drive boat hire company offer a terrific option from their base at Laggan in the West coast of Scotland.
Cruise with your children or a larger group of friends and relations. As the hire boats vary in size to handle those requirements.
An opportunity to enjoy the stunning scenery of this west coast area and keep family and friends Covid safe as you do so.
Cruising Scotland on the Caledonian Canal with Le Boat.
Checking in at their base is simple. Here you will receive safety briefings and lifejackets before the experienced staff will take you onto the water to literally show you the ropes!
Cruising Scotland On The Thomas Telford Canal
Steering and how to negotiate the locks is taught until you feel comfortable to take the helm yourself. Then taking your family or friends into the Caledonian Canal and the numerous smaller lochs that join the whole network together.
Fort Augustus on the Caledonian Canal locks system, Scotland.
Eventually you can make your way in to Loch Ness itself! This body of water 23 miles long holds the largest amount of fresh water in the UK.
Not only that. It contains more water than all the lakes of England and Wales combined making it the UK’s biggest lake/loch.
Once on the water the experience of gently cruising through the picturesque highlands is awe inspiring.
Cruising Scotland on the Caledonian Canal.
With help from the full time lock keepers to help aid you through these vital parts of the system completed by Thomas Telford back in 1822.
This once vital shipping and cargo link that connected the West and East coasts of Scotland.
However, now it provides a stunning 60 mile long leisure boating and holiday experience probably without equal.
One of the locks at Fort Augustus on the Caledonian Canal.
Joining the canal system at Laggan you can head west to Fort William on Loch Lochy or east on Loch Oich to Fort Augustus. Then as far as Inverness which is situated at the very end of Loch Ness.
In all there are 29 locks on the system but on most cruising itineraries you are likely to encounter around 10 of them.
A Week Long Booking Is The Most Popular
Bookings to rent the boats start from 3 day hires. Payment is 40% in advance. But the most popular is usually around one week with the occasional customer wanting two weeks.
A week would get you through to Loch Ness and up to Inverness. Plus, get you back to base in that allowance of time.
Caledonian Canal Scotland.
Fort Augustus is at the start of Loch Ness and is good place to take a break and explore the Highlands ashore. There are day tours to places like the Glenfinnan Viaduct made famous in the Harry Potter film.
Also in the town is The Clansman Centre a museum dedicated to 17th century clan life in the Highlands.
Nearby at Newtonmore, where you could track down your Macpherson clan heritage at their museum. Other names associated with the clan listed could include: Clark, Curry, Ellis, Gow, MacClair, Murdoch, Pearson and even Smith!
Even a person called Smith could claim Clan Macpherson heritage at Newtonmore.
Or if you think that is a bit tame you can get a thrill ride on Loch Ness with the team from Cruise Loch Ness based at Fort Augustus. Who will whisk you over the loch at nearly 30 knots on one of their fast ribs!
The ‘Elegance’ boat that I experienced takes a maximum of 6 passengers. 3 cabins with 3 bathrooms and toilets.
A galley with inside seating saloon and dining area. Plenty of space up top too. Perfect for lounging or just taking in the highlights of the Highlands.
Gently Does It… Cruising Along Loch Ness
Half way along Loch Ness and Castle Urquhart. A very popular stop off point and views up and down the loch.
Gentle cruising along its length at a maximum speed is 8 knots. On the canal itself speed is restricted to 5 knots.
Staff member Brian Marshall from Le Boat happy to give advice.
The Le Boat team members like Brian Marshall are on call should you encounter any technical problems. Or just require some reassurance. As many first timers often do.
Currently the ‘Elegance’ boat in the comfort class is hiring out at around £3,300 for a week starting and finishing at Laggan. A ‘Crusader’ boat which is in the budget class would cost around £1,800 for a week.
Cruising Scotland from the Le Boat base at Laggan.
However, prices are ever changeable. For all the latest offers and best prices check Le Boat here: https://www.leboat.co.uk/boating-holidays/scotland
I travelled to Inverness on the overnight Caledonian Sleeper, from London. But, it is also possible to use the same company that arrives in Fort William, which is closer to Laggan (21 miles).
But be warned there are two places with the name Laggan. I opted for Laggan Locks in my search ( Laggan, Spean Bridge PH34 4EA) which got me to the correct location. The other Laggan is nearer to Newtonmore although next to the River Spey.
Its flowing waters will not get you to Loch Ness or indeed the Caledonian Canal. However its contents are the key to many a good whisky!
