Great Glen Canoe Guide

10/07/2024

If it wasn't for this diversion off the A82, I wouldn't have seen this last night up at Loch Tarff on the south side.

02/04/2024

A few weeks ago Chris from Liquid Footprints was paddling over Loch Oich and took this photo of the Leiterfearn Trailblazer Rest where the composting toilet looks like its come off worst for wear after a recent storm.

This has been reported to Scottish Canals but unaware if anything has been done to rectify the situation. Here's hoping no one was in there when this happened!

Will update once I hear more, so be prepared to have to wild toilet in the area. Even better, do use the facilities at Laggan Locks before taking on Loch Oich if possible.

02/04/2024

Lots of stunning scenary to appreciate when taking on the Great Glen Canoe Trail. Don't forget the stunning views to be had even if starting/finishing at Banavie/Muirtown.

It's only a short walk from the Great Glen Canoe Trail car park by Muirtown Flight, to the end of the canal at Clachnaharry Sea Lock.

Stunning views over the Beauly Firth as well as out passed the Kessock Bridge and the Moray Firth beyond.

01/02/2024

Even in the Great Glen things change.

Last week Mike & myself paddled up from Foyers to The Beeches where there's a planned hydro power scheme proposed at Loch Kemp with the inlet/outflow pipes to be located at this iconic stop off point where many thousand paddlers every year stop for a break, or wild camp over night.

Communication with the planners and development has started, including what the fate for The Beeches is even for this coming season. Ground inspections and barges are already anchored of the beach and anchor cables including land anchors, heris fencing and drilling machines already on site. 😱

Keep an eye on this page for more updates on this!

15/12/2023

As I am coming to the end of the year and a very busy 2023 season, planning is already underway for 2024.

As you know, I work and support all sorts of paddling adventures in the Great Glen. So if you are looking to self-guide this classic coast-to-coast canoe adventure in 2024, a date has already been set for my annual MS Teams support evenings for hire clients.

GGCT Support Evening - Tuesday 19th March 2024 (2000-2130)

So if you wish to join in on this fun and very informative evening session, make sure you get your hire booking in and confirmed ASAP. Due to other booking commitments, I am only accepting a limited number of canoe-hire bookings for 2024.

For more info on 2024 canoe hire, please see -
https://www.explorehighland.com/hire/open-canoe-hire/

05/04/2023

Fab. Awesome new facilities in Foyers!

https://fb.watch/jJy7GRbdf_/

02/04/2023

Taking on the Great Glen Canoe Trail in the near future.

Check out my latest post regarding Scottish Canals Facility Access. https://www.explorehighland.com/great-glen-canoe-trail-facilities-access/

Later this week I will also be posting my Top 10 Tips for taking on this coast-to-coast adventure.

Hire canoe & shuttle bookings are coming in fast and furious creating a bit of an admin backlog. April, May & June are near full already so if you are still thinking about booking for 2023, please get your booking forms in ASAP before the diary is full!
https://www.explorehighland.com/hire/open-canoe-hire/

Planning on taking on the Great Glen Canoe Trail, well you should look to plan to get a facilities key to allow you access to facilities along this amazing coast to coast route. Scottish Canals who manage the Caledonian Canal have a number of facility blocks along this 60

14/03/2023

Great to see that Scottish Canals have finally repaired the area at Oich Pier, Fort Augustus.

This area has over the last few years been literally hammered by the wind, waves, and water with a high Loch Ness and non prevailing winds hitting the loch side.

Most paddlers will probably continue to use the access/launch to the left through the tree area, than down the narrow path, but it's great to see the area being repaired and maintained.

Fingers crossed the Great Glen Canoe Trail information/safety panel will also be reinstalled before the start of the main season.

14/03/2023

Canoeing Bear Family by Loch Lochy.

14/03/2023

Walk through the new Trailblazer Rest site on Loch Lochy.

14/03/2023

Recently I paid a visit to the new Trailblazer Rest being installed on the north side of Loch Lochy to replace the recently closed Glasdhoire Trailblazer Rest as the Coire Glas hydro development has started.

After a number of chats with SSE over the last year and from my first visit, I was very impressed with the work the SSE team has done to relocate what paddlers, walkers and cyclists will be using from late spring onwards.

Due to the weather and limited time, I took my bike in the 5km from Laggan end and took on the newly diverted Great Glen Way route which is also very well done ensure walkers & cyclists are able to complete the route clear of the Coire Glas works.

With a new path, sheltered cairns, seating, and many information panels, the new 3km path from the upper to lower road through the forest was very well completed.

Arriving at the new Trailblazer Rest site, walkers and cyclists are greeted by a welcoming sight - a well-crafted carved hiking bear with cub!

Walking down the path to the area to be used for camping, the woods have been thinned out, areas leveled and approx. fifteen tent pitches were identified.

A new functional composting toilet has been installed again with another fun carved bear asking you not to poo in the woods.

Further down closer to the lochside there is a more formal area with a similar three-sided shelter, seating, and a fire pit.

To help identify the site from the water, there is a third carving on the lochside - a family of bears in a canoe.

All in all, it's looking pretty good. I certainly am looking forward to staying over at this location.

Fingers crossed all users will appreciate the work, effort, and cost that has gone into this new site and will help look after it so many many Great Glen Way walkers, cyclists, and paddlers get to reap the benefits!

Please feel free to share so the news of the new site replacing Glasdhoire is known.

02/02/2023

Canoe hire bookings are flowing in for the season ahead. And our first very successful group of the season took on the Canoe Trail last week in January.

And for those of you who would prefer a guided Great Glen Adventure, I will be running only two of these trips over 2023.

Canoe the Great Glen, 10-14 July.
https://www.explorehighland.com/events/great-glen-canoe-trail-adventure-july-2023/

SUP the Great Glen, 16-20 August.
https://www.explorehighland.com/events/great-glen-sup-adventure/

And for those of you who have completed the Great Glen before, Donald has many other paddleboarding trips planned including various weekend adventures and an Isle of Skye Adventure.

And for those looking for the next level of canoe adventure, the River Spey is definitely a great option. Explore Highland has only one four-day guided Spey trip planned for 11-14 May.
https://www.explorehighland.com/events/river-spey-canoe-adventure/

Limited places are available on all trips to don't hesitate in booking!

02/01/2023

Planning your 2023 self-guided paddling adventure?

Explore Highland in Inverness is well placed to offer canoe hire and shuttle services for your multiday canoeing adventures including Great Glen, River Spey, Loch Maree, Loch Veyatie, Glen Affric, and many many more.

What's more 2022 prices are being held until the end of March 2023.

So to start your planning today, simply complete an online provisional canoe hire & shuttle request form.
https://www.explorehighland.com/hire/open-canoe-hire/

Limited availability left for April & May 2023.

16/08/2022

Update from SC regards access to toilet blocks for anyone taking on the Canoe Trail this year.

Looking for a key to access the canal's toilet blocks?

Due to ongoing recruitment challenges and limited staff numbers, Corpach Sea Lock office won't be staffed permanently in the coming weeks. Also, our Inverness office will now be closed on Saturdays and Sundays. If you'd like to rent a key, please visit the Inverness Office, Monday to Friday 08:45-16:15, or call us on 01463 725500 to pay over the phone and have one posted out to you 🚴‍♀️🚣‍♀️🛶🔑

25/04/2022

Update from Scottish Canals regards Cullochy Locks.

https://www.facebook.com/100064837532317/posts/361617792676136/

Canal Re-opens Sea to Sea 20th May 2022

We're pleased to confirm that lock gate replacement works at Cullochy will be completed and the canal will re-open for sea to sea traffic from 8.30am on Friday 20th May.

We look forward to welcoming our customers this summer.
⛵☀️

18/04/2022

Please be aware of the dangers of the lochs. If in doubt take some extra time out on the shoreline and wait till the wind n waves calm down.

No point in putting yourself and others in danger!

🧡🧡 Call Out 🧡🧡

Today, at approximately 15.45, our volunteer crew pagers went off for their first shout of 2022.

The initial report stated that 2 people had gone into the water after their canoe capsized in large waves on Loch Ness.

Some of the local tour boats initiated a search whilst the lifeboat was launched, and one had managed to successfully locate the persons on a shoreline further up the Loch. The lifeboat made best speed to the position in difficult conditions and was able to successfully put a crew member ashore and make contact with the casualties. It was found they were in good health, cold and wet but unharmed. Our partners at Police Scotland were assisting from the road and helped bring the casualties back to the station, where they were checked over by Scottish Ambulance Service whilst the lifeboat returned and was made ready for the next shout.

This shout highlights the importance of wearing your personal floatation device whilst out on the water. Thankfully, both members of the canoe were correctly wearing their personal floatation devices and this undoubtably played a part in safely making it to shore.

02/04/2022

As some of you may be aware there has been a delay in works on the Caledonian Canal, meaning the canal waterway is not able to open for navigation until over a month later than planned.
Please see the press release from Scottish Canals.
https://www.scottishcanals.co.uk/.../caledonian-canal.../
On Wednesday 30th March I visited the Cullochy works site and met with Scottish Canals site manager to discuss the possibilities of canoeists, kayakers, and paddleboarders using the temporary access created for walkers and cyclists taking on the Great Glen Ways route.

A number of options were discussed and a few are still pending however the main points are listed below to help planning over the next seven weeks.

Option 1 - The canal navigation channel is officially closed till approx 20th May 2022 when the works are complete and the normal canoe portage route will be usable.

Option 2 - Paddlers who do still take on the Canoe Trail may be able to exit the canal bank and climb out onto the towpath opposite to the normal canoe portage route (south side), follow the walkers/cyclist diversion route around the worksite, and relaunch on a pontoon below the worksite.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS ROUTE MAY BE CLOSED FOR SAFETY WHEN THE LOCK GATES ARE READY TO BE LIFTED BACK IN BY THE MULTIPLE CRANES NEEDED TO FINALISE THE WORKS. PLEASE LIAISE WITH SCOTTISH CANALS REGARDING THIS OPTION. LANDING AND REMOVING YOUR CRAFT FROM THE SLOPING CANAL BANK IS REQUIRED, AS WELL AS PORTAGING 260M ACROSS A NARROW WALKWAY (BUT WIDE ENOUGH FOR A CANOE) SO SOME MANUAL HANDLING AND LIFTING SKILLS ARE REQUIRED!

Option 3 - Paddlers who have experience paddling on moving water may also consider taking on a short section on the River Oich from below Old Oich Bridge to Kytra spillway. This section is grade one however does pose some risk to paddlers from trees, overhanging branches forming strainers on outsides of some of the corners.
PLEASE BE AWARE THAT LOADED CANOES, KAYAKS, AND PADDLEBOARDS ARE MUCH HARDER TO CONTROL IN MOVING WATER. ONLY THOSE WITH EXPERIENCE PADDLING IN THIS ENVIRONMENT AS WELL AS HAVING RELATIVE SAFETY & RESCUE EXPERIENCE SHOULD CONSIDER THIS ROUTE. HELMETS, SAFETY EQUIPMENT, AND SHORT PADDLEBOARD FINS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED!

Option 4 - For white water canoeists, the River Oich option is still available as per the guidebook. The river has some strong features to navigate both above the route described in Option 3 (Oich Weir and the shallow fast-flowing tight corner underneath the road bridge), as well as a number of grade 2 rapids immediately below the Kytra spillway takeout all the way to Loch Ness.
CANOEISTS OPTING FOR THIS ROUTE SHOULD BE EXPERIENCED IN WHITE WATER CANOEING WITH A LOADED CRAFT AND READ THE VARIOUS RIVER GUIDE BOOKS OFFERING ADVICE ON PADDLING THE RIVER. SEA KAYAKING OR PADDLEBOARDING THE FULL RIVER IS NOT ADVISABLE!

I have attached some photos highlighting route options as well as some hazards to be aware of. Please consider your choices carefully and if in doubt, delay your Great Glen Paddling Adventure till after 20th May 2022.

Regards
Donald

16/01/2022

Looking for a guided Great Glen Canoe Trail adventure this coming Summer.

Donald from Explore Highland has been offering this trip for over 12 years and is the only guide to incorporate the four lochs (Lochy, Oich, Ness & Dochfour), two rivers (Oich & Ness), and parts of the Caledonian Canal to make this the most comprehensive Great Glen experience available.

𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟐 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬
11-15 April - Canoe the Great Glen. £550pp (8x places)
11-15 July - Canoe the Great Glen. £550pp (8x places)
8-12 August - SUP the Great Glen. £550pp (6x places)

All participants receive a signed copy of my Great Glen Canoe Trail guidebook posted out on booking. A Zoom call has also been set up for a month prior to the adventure date to ensure everyone has all the information, and opportunity to ask specific questions to help pack n prepare.

Places are limited so best to book your place quick!

More information and online booking -
https://www.explorehighland.com/booking-diary/

27/08/2021

Facility update for those taking on the Great Glen Canoe Trail over the next wee while!
https://www.facebook.com/175903292429347/posts/4902243316461964/

** UPDATE 31.8.21 Facility block re-open 🙂**
** Gairlochy Facilities Closed **
Due to wet wipes blocking the Bio-Digester system our facilities at Gairlochy are currently closed 😟. Engineers are due on site on Monday 30th August and we have two portaloos on site.
Please help us to keep all our facilities open whilst protecting the environment by only flushing toilet tissue 🤦‍♀️

25/08/2021

Just be aware when passing through folks!

Blue-green algae - Loch Lochy
Public are being advised as a precautionary measure that algal scum at Laggan Locks on Loch Lochy in Lochaber should be avoided by people and pets.
More info at: http://ow.ly/Gr9l30rRSWM

03/08/2021

Wee 360deg of where my Great Glen paddleboard group informal camped last night..... Caledonian Canal, Gairlochy.

02/07/2021

Torvean swing bridge in Inverness opened this week. Paddlers should take care not to travel under the new bridge or the nearby Tomnahurich bridge when the orange beacons are flashing 🟠 'cos this means one of the bridges is about to open and a boat is on its way ⛵🚣‍♀️🛶🛳

26/05/2021

Hopefully no delays as such, but that's the new swing Bridge starting operation from Monday!

Take care paddling this area and do hold back if you hear the car barrier sounder/see the car barriers drop so the bridgekeepers can do their job in letting the boats through without delaying the main road traffic too long.

Once the roads open again and the cars are flowing, so can the canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards!

https://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/news/new-canal-bridge-to-be-used-for-first-time-when-roadworks-be-239458/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook

A SECTION of the A82 will close to traffic in Inverness next week while resurfacing work connected to the West Link project is carried out.

10/05/2021

Still looking to book your guided Great Glen Adventure...... I have a few places remaining on the following dates/trips!

Great Glen Canoe Trail Adventure, 12-16 July. £500pp
SUP the Great Glen, 2-6 August. £475pp
Great Glen by Kayak, 7-9 September. £325pp
Great Glen Canoe Trail Adventure, 11-15 October. £500pp

Other options available online including prices for booking 2 places together as well as using your own SUP/Kayak.

Canoe & paddleboard hire is also available for July through to October for self-guided adventures. Sorry no more May/June bookings being accepted.

More info and online booking available at
https://www.explorehighland.com/booking-diary/

Booking Diary Donald's booking diary is updated on a regular basis during the season with paddlesport activities as demand requires. For all planned activities you can booking/make payment online via Paypal. For all half-day & full-day activities, bookings close 48 hrs prior to the trip, or when an....

06/05/2021

The view from Dores looking back down the stunning Loch Ness.

Such a shame people have to spoil the area by starting fires recklessly to spoil the area and risk property, wildlife and nature.

Please please please wild camp responsibly, leave no trace and help where you can remove others litter to keep the glen looking stunning for locals and visitors alike!

29/04/2021

Great news for paddlers taking on Loch Ness

With campsites across Scotland reopening today, we look forward to welcoming back campers for the summer season! As of today we will have our facility block and bistro open (for takeaways only). We have extra measures in place to make sure your holiday is Covid safe.

28/04/2021

We’re preparing for a busy summer as more people head to the water. You can raise lifesaving funds by doing The Mayday Mile. Whether you walk, run or bounce, you can go the distance to support our crews: http://rnli.social/themaydaymile-fb

14/04/2021

This may not be a view from the water, but the wee walk to the view point high above Inverfarigaig looking over towards Urquhart Castle was definitely well worth it, in what was a lovely sunny Spring afternoon.

08/04/2021

Check out Highland Lassie page and their new website.

Those of you who've paddled the Great Glen in the past may have visited Gus & Gaby at the Oakwood Restaurant, Dochgarroch.

Alas the Restaurant closed in February 2020, however their new project "Highland Lassie" opened Summer 2020 and being a floating hotel & restaurant (including takeaway menu) right on the canal, its perfect for paddlers to refuel and take time out on the last leg of their Great Glen Canoe Trail.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=141647557958694&id=100063403518351

Set sail with Highland Lassie from the comfort of your couch! 🛳

Get a taste of what to expect when you step onboard from our new website! Tour Cabins and view our 2022 Cruise itineraries in just a few clicks!

Discover where Highland Lassie could take you 👇
https://highlandlassiecruises.com/

08/04/2021

Just in case you are still looking for accommodation and a bit of luxury as you paddle the Great Glen Canoe Trail. 🤣

https://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/news/revamp-of-castle-on-banks-of-loch-ness-nears-completion-234206/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook

Having embarked on rewilding his Highland estates, Scotland’s richest man is now spending more than £1 million on creating a garden at his castle.