Feature follow-up: The Caledonian Canal

Louise · 02 June 2005, 16:20

< Edit: You can read the original article in the features section. JK >

Wow! Well done both of you and thanks so much for posting such a detailed account. I felt like I was travelling with you (but with the bonus of staying warm and dry

) and you have definitely whetted my appetite for a trip up there. Maybe next year...

There's a good set of tips there and some cool photos - I particularly liked the mean and moody one of the rain. 'Tickled Pink' looks beautiful too!

So what's the next big adventure then...?

jwalker · 02 June 2005, 16:51

Cool, Brian and useful too.

robin · 02 June 2005, 19:31

Cheers Brian.
I enjoyed that.
A bit of vicarious ribbing!
Robin

JIY · 02 June 2005, 19:36

Great article Brian, thoroughly enjoyed reading your very honest account of the trip. I did the Crinan canal in my RIB last year (also in the rain) - the main difference is that you have to open and close your own lockgates!

gavin · 02 June 2005, 19:54

Really impressive, you got some great photos there, Its a serious cruise

Keith Hart · 02 June 2005, 21:44

Well I'm sorry I couldn't join you all, but I did enjoy the wedding.

Keith Hart

Clyde Rib'r · 03 June 2005, 11:09

Excellent account of a very epic journey.

Well done the 2 of you and well done to the RIB, looks like a top bit of kit

Peterhead is a dramatic harbour to enter dont you think with the prison looming overhead and the power station and all the Oil Rig Support Ships about and the gloomy weather (although I am sure the sun shines up there from time to time

)

Dave

Ian Alexander · 03 June 2005, 14:14

Well done both. Glad to hear the rest of the trip went smoothly.
Sorry about the local weather but one can only influence certain factors on an exped like this.
I was well impressed with your landlady - I think it only took her a couple of seconds to realise that you were both fully house trained and were not going to cause trouble.
Look forward to meeting with you some time in the future - hopefully with time to let you buy me that pint.

Clyde Rib'r, as an escapee from the West Coast I can assure you that Peterhead is not gloomy (well, not all the time anyway). At the moment the sun is out and is really enhanced by the reflections in the puddles! (Statistically - lies, damned lies etc - the East Coast is dryer but colder than the West!!) I would agree that the harbour can be dramatic to enter, especially at 02.00 in a blacked out 30 odd ft yacht with no engine (but that's another story).
Any of you West Coasters fancy coming up for an explore of the sea cliffs round here - what about a gathering of the Northern ribnetters?

Clyde Rib'r · 03 June 2005, 14:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian Alexander

Clyde Rib'r, as an escapee from the West Coast I can assure you that Peterhead is not gloomy (well, not all the time anyway). At the moment the sun is out and is really enhanced by the reflections in the puddles! (Statistically - lies, damned lies etc - the East Coast is dryer but colder than the West!!) I would agree that the harbour can be dramatic to enter, especially at 02.00 in a blacked out 30 odd ft yacht with no engine (but that's another story).
Any of you West Coasters fancy coming up for an explore of the sea cliffs round here - what about a gathering of the Northern ribnetters?

Yeh I now its not always gloomy up that way, spent many months working up that neck of the woods and also spent 2 days in Peterhead harbour aboard the STA tall Ship Prince William, had a good old laugh

The sea cliff idea sounds good

Mike Garside · 06 June 2005, 05:59

Interestin' stuff Brian. I'm glad it was a successful run. And presumably the dodgy back is well enough repaired for you to enjoy your ribbin' once again.

Aging Youth · 06 June 2005, 19:16

Hi Brian,

An excellent piece of scribing Sir! I did enjoy reading your account of this trip.

Hopefully, A few of us will of to "Bonny Scotland" in Semptember for a weeks exploring. Will certainly try and feedback details of our adventure with some picky's.

Mr Garside good to see you here again,I hope your little trip into the Hills went well. My best wishes to yourself and your good lady wife.

I hope to see you both in Plymouth later in the year.

Regards

Kevin.

The Jackeens · 07 June 2005, 06:28

Great piece Brian!

And lovely photos too...very tempting cruise !

Reminds me of that great piece about the trip to Ireland!

missus

Mr-d · 24 June 2005, 18:26

Nice trip, i was thinking of doing it myself one day, when i get a propper boat...

You should have told me in advance, i'd come to wave, im 1 hour west of fort william, and about an hour away from tobermory (Ardnamurchan peninsula.)

Thanks for sharing!

bobbyjoeufb · 19 October 2006, 13:42

looks like a great trip

I have done the Calley Canal Twice, in a criuse boat that we hired at Inverness, took us a week of pottering around to get to Fort William and back.

Hoping I might get the chance to do it again next year, but will see if I am able to take my zapcat along with me, would be fun on Loch Ness.

al40 · 20 October 2006, 18:53

Been through the Caledonian Canal many times - it's a fantastic place to visit (I sound like the tourist board!). Highly recommended. Some photo's attached. (1st is locks at Fort Augustus, 2nd is either Kytra or Cullochy and 3rd is loch lochy). Can also see http://www.waterscape.com/Caledonian_Canal

kev · 21 October 2006, 08:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by al40

Been through the Caledonian Canal many times - it's a fantastic place to visit (I sound like the tourist board!). Highly recommended. Some photo's attached. (1st is locks at Fort Augustus, 2nd is either Kytra or Cullochy and 3rd is loch lochy). Can also see http://www.waterscape.com/Caledonian_Canal

Hi al, looks good wouldn't mind a trip from end to end, did you ever see nessie?

al40 · 21 October 2006, 15:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by kev

Hi al, looks good wouldn't mind a trip from end to end, did you ever see nessie?

Fraid not - Nessie must have been on holiday all the times we've been through :-)