It was built to provide a short cut between the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, avoiding the hazardous Pentland Firth on the north coast of the Scottish mainland. The canal is one of the most recent to be developed for holidays afloat and has retained its unspoiled character.
As canals are artificial waterways they have to be provided with a water supply, normally by means of reservoirs and feeder channels, but the Caledonian is unusual because the lochs that are its reservoir also form part of the waterway itself with weirs and sluices controlling the water levels. The highest point of the canal is feet above sea level, at Loch Oich, and water flows from here towards the sea in both directions while the sets of locks raise or lower boats according to the direction of travel.
Discover the Caledonian Canal by Boat Bring your own boat, hire a cruiser or charter a yacht for a canal holiday, take a day-trip on Loch Ness, or stay on a hotel boat or holiday barge. Read More. Plan Your Trip Offering a coast-to-coast link through spectacular scenery in the heart of the Scottish Highlands, the Caledonian Canal is approximately 60 miles Calling all Sailing Clubs - Flotillas and Musters welcome!
Read 1 review. Read 2 reviews. Art cruise in Scotland Scottish Island cruises perfect for relaxing and painting. These holidays are linear anyway, ending in Inverness so you can also pick up a train to come back. Before entering the actual Caledonian Canal, your first journey is along Loch Linnhe, a sea loch where you may have a chance to spot dolphins, seals and even white tailed eagles soaring above as you saunter inland. Your beacon ahead for this part of the journey is nothing other than the iconic Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the British Isles at 1,m.
Two lovely stops along the way include one for culture and one for nature: the former is Castle Stalker which is on its own tidal island, and the latter is at the Wildlife Hub at Appin, which will give you a great introduction to wildlife that you might expect to see in the days to come. It takes about 90 minutes to climb up to m above sea level, and the whole procedure is one that you can watch either from the deck or on the towpath.
Once through the system, you cruise to the town of Gairlochy on Loch Lochy, a long, narrow inland loch with the best name ever. Along the way you will see hikers and cyclists enjoying the Great Glen Way that follows the waterway, as well as prolific wildlife including the rare black throated diver bird, osprey, red squirrels and red deer.
So bring your binoculars; Lochy can get lively. Protected by wooded slopes, some of which make up the South Laggan Site of Special Scientific Interest, keen birders will be keeping an ear and eye out for sedge warblers and reed buntings. Another stunning lock system awaits at the end of this Loch, this time with six locks to navigate at Fort Augustus. This is a great spot to anchor, with lively waterside pubs, the Caledonian Canal Heritage Centre and the Clansmen Centre.
Finally, another reason why this lock collection is so celebrated is because it gives access to the leader of all lochs: Ness. Our top Scotland cruising Holiday. Tailor made: This trip can be tailor made from late April to the end of September.
See all our Scotland cruising Holidays. Travel Team. If you'd like to chat about Scotland cruising or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help. Loch Ness There are lots of facts and fables about Loch Ness, about its size, depth and of course its inhabitants.
What is for sure is that it is the second largest freshwater lake in Scotland after Loch Lomond but only in surface area. Its superior depth makes it the largest volume-wise. What is never in question is its natural beauty, especially when you escape the daytripping crowds of tourists on your petite cruise boat, which will take you down the length of the loch.
You can disembark and walk its shores at beauty spots such as the Falls of Foyers.
0コメント