Canoeing Bear Family on the loch side.
Canoeing Bear Family by Loch Lochy.
Walk through Trailblazer Rest Loch Lochy
Walk through the new Trailblazer Rest site on Loch Lochy.
Poo Bear and the new composting toilet at the new Trailblazer Rest site on the Great Glen Canoe Trail (Loch Lochy)
Gairlochy Camping
Wee 360deg of where my Great Glen paddleboard group informal camped last night..... Caledonian Canal, Gairlochy.
Tomnahurich Swing Bridge and New Control Tower
Tomnahurich Swing Bridge.
Works are currently underway to add a second swing bridge at this location to help ensure Inverness bypass traffic is no longer stopped when the swing bridge is in operation to let boats pass.
Word is it will be similar to the existing swing bridge and you should be able to paddle underneath both with care.
Here's a short video of the canoe clearance on the current swing bridge and the new lockkeepers bothy/tower which will operate both and located in the middle.
Kytra Rapid - River Oich
Lots of people ask about running the River Oich. Depending on water levels this can be low, scrappy, and boat damaging. In high levels, it can be fast pushy and difficult to maneuver a loaded tandem canoe around rocks at pace.
Here's a wee video clip of myself at the stern with a client bow paddling tandem loaded. From many years of experience running this river, I find the best/easiest line (left of centre) however as you can see there are lots of boulders middle to bottom of the rapid.
I've deliberately turned around and paddled back up to the bottom of the rapid to signal the next pair to come down and highlight the rock where I'm safetying.
As this is generally day three of the Great Glen Canoe Trail going West to East, it's still not nice having to deal with a capsized boat and potential of wet gear for a further two days/nights! :-)
Spotted a ferral goat and its kid on the Southside of Loch Ness last Wednesday.
It's one if about 1-10 goats that live wild on the stretch between Knockie Boathouse and the Beeches.
Lovely level on the Oich today. Trees on river right have been thinned out so make it possible to walk down the right bank and inspect the rapid.
Help to give confidence to the canoeists with loaded boats to know the exact line.
Especially when carrying a laptop and lots if electrical/ camera kit in your canoe. 😝
River Dochfour/Loch Dochfour
For those who don't paddle Loch Dochfour regularly, this may surprise you!
When there's lots of rain, Loch Ness can rise quite rapidly from it's 44 miles circumference watershed, plus some major rivers including Foyers, Oich & Moriston.
As happened earlier this month, the exit of Loch Ness by Bona Lighthouse to Loch Dochfour becomes are river in itself......yes this is the Caledonian Canal. There is also a substancial flow around Dochfour weir and into the canal as the water is taken from the canal to feed the River Ness.
Do be aware of your environment when paddling this area :-)
Windy Loch Ness
A little wind out in the Great Glen this week folks. Today, Wednesday & Friday especially gusting force 6-7.
Best staying off the big loch's. Some video from earlier today taken from the side of Loch Ness near Lochend with waves between 1-1.5m in height :-)
Helping to promote the Great Glen Canoe Trail and supporting businesses. Donald can offer you advice and support when taking on this wee monster adventure.
