We recently joined some friends on their boating holiday along the Caledonian canal.
A short boating holiday was an ideal way to spend a long weekend.
The car journey was very scenic up to Fort William, at the start of this canal which passes through the Great Glen.
The canal links several lochs from Inverness down to Fort William, so at times you are on quiet an expanse of water, especially Loch Ness.
From Glasgow or Edinburgh the trip north to the Caledonian canal takes about two hours by car on good quality roads.
The boat hire company, Connoisseur, is part of the Le Boat group which have 11 boats based on the Caledonian canal.
Our friends met us at Connoisseur Laggan, at Laggan on Loch Oich.
After a tour of the boat and equipment, and a short instructional lesson on the workings of the vessel, we were ready for the off! Our first task is to pass through the swing bridge which carries traffic across the canal.
Once clear of this we were out into Loch Oich.
As the loch opens up we decide to keep to the western side so to pass Invergarry Castle quite close.
As we approach the castle we notice moorings close by for visiting boats.
The castle also has shops etc.
around about the area.
It was burnt down in 1746 because Bonnie Prince Charlie visited it during the Jacobite uprising of 1745.
The Jacobites were defeated when the army under the Duke of Cumberland caught up with them at Culloden Moor on the 16th April 1746.
However, quite a bit of the castle has survived and upon approach it looks impressive! The first night aboard proves very comfortable.
The boat is well equipped with all modern conveniences.
We wake to the sound of birds and water gently lapping the sides of the boat.
Once up on deck the stunning scenery is breathtaking with the green mountains disappearing into the waters of the loch.
As we set off further north we notice many inlets with small groups of houses, all very picturesque.
Although we did not visit, there is a water park - the Great Glen Water Park at Laggan which offers plenty for you and the family to do and enjoy.
Everything from white water rafting to abseiling, so if you are looking for an activity based holiday in tantem with your boating experience then why not visit the park? As we reach the top of the loch, there comes into view Cullochy lock.
All the locks on the Caledonian canal are operated by Lock keepers, so as we approach they open as if by magic! Once through these locks we pass along the canal to Kytra lock then we have four more locks to negotiate at Fort Augustus.
We moor up for the day and visit the town and Abbey.
Very enjoyable and interesting.
We have to leave our friends here and return home, but they plan to journey further north along Loch Ness stopping at Castle Urquhart, which is often photographed for Scottish calendars.
From there they will visit Drumnadrochit, which has the Loch Ness Monster Museum, and then Foyers to see the wonderful waterfalls.
If they have time they may reach Inverness.
If not they can always come back another time and see other wonderful places along the canal and lochs.
If you are inspired by our short holiday break, then why not enquire about booking a boat.
Although dates maybe limited for Spring and early Summer, I am told September onwards is still relatively free.