A fabulous Great Glen Canoe adventure with the very best of friends.
We travelled by Canadian canoe across Scotland from Inverness in the East to Fort William on the West Coast. We paddled on flat water for 60 miles (100km), canoeing the Caledonian Canal and traversing legendary lochs including Loch Ness and the wonderful Loch Lochy!
Easing In
The trip got off to a gentle start in the narrow canals of Inverness before we entered Loch Dochfour. It was an opportunity to get comfortable in the canoe’s which, at this point, were fully loaded with camping gear and food for the full duration of the trip.
The first day concluded at a beautiful wild camp-spot right by the waters-edge on Loch Ness. Salmon for dinner and silly games to see us through to bed time.
Hoist the Sails
The winds picked up on our second day. It was a great opportunity to hoist the sails for some wind assisted paddling. By midday the wind had kicked up a small swell, making it challenging to keep the canoe’s on a straight heading.
Sheepish Neighbours
We reached the end of Loch Ness at the end of the second day and enjoyed another stunning camp-spot for the evening. Our neighbours, a herd of sheep, seemed to enjoy the company.
High Spirits in Loch Lochy
Spirits were high as we headed through Loch Lochy on the third day of the trip. The best of the weather rolled in as the winds eased off. The views seemed to increase in splendour by the minute!
Flanked by Forests
The expansive lochs were a stunning feature of the trip, as were narrow canal ways like this which carved their way through dense forests.
Flat as a Millpond
Day 4 was the pick of the bunch. There wasn’t a breath of wind. At times, Loch Lochy looked like a mirror, perfectly reflecting the stunning views that surrounded it. The glassy water made for easy paddling and an opportune moment for the group to paddle close and play 21 questions.
Ben Nevis Send Off
We only had a small distance to cover through the remaining canals to Fort William. As we headed for the end of Loch Lochy, Ben Nevis revealed itself through a haze of cloud - a fitting end to a memorable trip.
