#53 | Sailing the Caledonian Canal: A Scenic Journey Through The Scottish Highlands
Welcome to our journey through the stunning Caledonian Canal!
In this episode, we embark on the first leg of our adventure, sailing 30 nautical miles up Loch Linnhe to Corpach. The views are breathtaking as we glide past snow-covered mountains, including the majestic Ben Nevis. It's mid-April, and the beauty of spring in West Scotland‘s is on full display.
Our adventure on the Caledonian Canal begins with a serene morning. Polaris and her crew are prepped and ready for the lock operations to start. The canal, built in the early 19th century, stretches 50 nautical miles from Corpach on the west coast to Inverness on the east, reaching an elevation of 32 meters above sea level. This incredible waterway, partly man-made and partly natural lochs, follows a geological fault line cutting across Scotland.
Discover the logistics: 29 locks, 11 swing bridges, and super friendly Canal Staff, available 7 days a week during summer (8 am - 6 pm) and on reduced hours during the other seasons. We'll share the specifics on boat dimensions, speed limits, and licensing costs too.
As we navigate the canal, we encounter a slight delay at the Banavie swing bridge, taking almost a full day to ascend Neptune's Staircase - Britain’s longest staircase lock, comprising eight locks and lifting boats 20 meters.
Fort Augustus, halfway through the canal, marks the western end of Loch Ness. Here, we take a breather and explore the beautiful village. Martina and Kathrin prepare for a hike while I tackle a day of video conferencing from our boat office.
Cold water swimming proves irresistible to Martina, and fun fact: Loch Ness holds more water than all lakes in England and Wales combined. We delve into the legend of the Loch Ness Monster, dating back to the 7th century AD.
Continuing through Loch Dochfour, we navigate the final man-made sections of the canal. As we approach Inverness, our skills at handling the locks become second nature. Finally, Polaris rejoins the sea, where her journey is dictated by wind, weather, and waves again.
Concluding our trip with a well-deserved pint at the Hootananny in Inverness, we reflect on this incredible adventure through Scotland's serene Highlands. And thanks Dom, for the pub tip!
Download:
Scottish Canals Skipper‘s Guide: d1hxd0sho1wxko.cloudfront.net...
Chapters:
00:00 Day 0: Oban to Corpach
05:28 Day 1: Corpach to Gairlochy
10:45 Day 2: Gairlochy to Fort Augustus
16:26 Day 3: Fort Augustus
20:18 Day 4: Loch Ness to Dochgarroch
20:20 Day 5: Dochgarroch to Inverness
/ @sailingpolaris
Music from Epidemic Sound:
You Were Mine by Heath Cantu
Night Of Stars by Site Of Wonders
Love And Friendship by David Celeste
Remember What Mama Said by David Celeste
Damian‘s Dream by Dragon Tamer
The New World by Dream Cave
Is That All by Eric Feinberg
Remembering Heartbeat by Hampus Naeselius
The Fairy Dance by Bonnie Grace
The Crossing Of Time by Gavin Luke
Weather routing by www.luckgrib.com
Follow us on social media:
/ sailingpolaris
/ sailingpolaris
www.sailingpolaris.uk
Welcome to our KZread channel! Join us on the exciting sailing adventures aboard our beloved sailing yacht, Polaris Helvetica - a Bavaria Cruiser 46 from 2017. For the past three years, we have called our vessel home and embarked on incredible journeys across various waters.
Immerse yourself in the beauty of the northern seas as we navigate through picturesque landscapes and explore hidden gems along the coastline. As we stop in fascinating destinations along our journey, we eagerly lace up our hiking boots and set off to discover the hidden treasures on land.
Prepare to be captivated by breathtaking sunsets, awe-inspiring seascapes, and the thrill of navigating challenging stretches of water. Whether you're an experienced sailor seeking inspiration or a landlubber dreaming of life at sea, our channel offers a virtual voyage that will leave you craving your own nautical escapades.
Join us as we uncover the wonders of the maritime world, showcasing the joys, challenges, and triumphs of life aboard Polaris Helvetica. Don't forget to hit that subscribe button and bell icon to stay updated on our latest expeditions, insights, and sailing tips.
Fair winds and following seas await you on our channel. Welcome aboard!
#sailing #hiking #sailingpolaris #polarishelvetica
Пікірлер: 42
How can you be so relaxed sailing and being a tutor on your travels, especially in strange waters. The three of you are a blessing to watch and all singing from the same sheet in harmony. I was brought up swimming in the sea but 10 years ago after many years in swimming pools i tried the sea again and i was a man when i went in ,but a little boy when i ran out, NEVER again. My son's thought i was going to pass out.😅 Your yacht looks beautiful inside and out, and i swear i smelt that bread miles away mmmm. Poor Martina, the whisky is not for everyone. Keep smiling forever.thank you.
@sailingpolaris
Күн бұрын
Thank you for watching and for taking the time to write this kind and uplifting comment! We much appreciate it. And sea swimming is nothing for me either - at least not for pleasure… 😂
I have travelled much of the world but Scotland is up there with the best places to visit. Paddling the rivers, lochy, Etive, Spean and Orchy are truly magical.
@sailingpolaris
Ай бұрын
Indeed - a phenomenal place ❤️ 🏴
Always appreciate your honest assessments of passage planning. Also nice baking by the Admiral
@sailingpolaris
Ай бұрын
Thanks for watching! We‘ll keep them rolling in…
Well done guys. Lovely video and passage through the canal ❤
@sailingpolaris
16 күн бұрын
Thanks!
Fabulous video :) I also did the Caledonian canal (many years ago) and loved it…there is, however, no way you would get me swimming in water that temperature…total respect on that one! Very happy to have stumbled onto your channel :)
@sailingpolaris
Ай бұрын
Thanks for watching and glad you liked the video. Well, we are very divided between Kathrin and me when it comes to cold water swimming. I am in your camp… 😉
What a beautiful trip. On to Norway! Slainte.
@sailingpolaris
Ай бұрын
How was your trip?
Another wonderful video Daniel. The Caledonian canal is rally beautiful. I missed it last summer, but I am making plans.. who knows? It was nice to see you enjoying the company of your lovely daughter. The same happens to me, too bad our children can join us too seldom.
@sailingpolaris
Ай бұрын
Indeed, we cherish these moments!
Thank you for showcasing my adopted country.
Greetings! 🙂 I found the morning exercise with the coffee maker and the swimming with a winter hat in a cold water being the best moments of this episode 🙂 I will keep my sweater hat on when I go for swimming in a cold sea next time 😊 Much love to you all! ❤️ Fair winds!
@sailingpolaris
Ай бұрын
Thank you so much - that made us laugh!!! 🤣
@AgegnehuTadesse-pi5tw
Ай бұрын
@sailingpolaris Thank you! The moments in the episode also made me laugh 🙂
@AgegnehuTadesse-pi5tw
Ай бұрын
Although, I'm wandering how long it took for the 11.5K running on shore. That's a lot of distance to cover. I can't do more than 1.5k in about 10 min, 3K in 20 min and about 6K in 40 min nowadays if I push my self hard. I had done about 10K in an hour when I was ~15. I'm just curious to know how far others can cover when they run together.
@sailingpolaris
Ай бұрын
@AgegnehuTadesse-pi5tw that‘s an easy answer: 1h07…
@AgegnehuTadesse-pi5tw
Ай бұрын
@sailingpolaris That's awesome and well done! Quiet inspirational too! 🙂 Thank you all for being! I look forward to see you all in the next episode! If you can manage please make some sunrise videos at sea 🌊 🙂
wie Ihr Schweizer zu sagen pflegt, das war ein Tip Top Video 🙂, vielen Dank
@sailingpolaris
Ай бұрын
😂😂
spent 5 days on my sup a few years ago doing it, was awesome fun!! also sailed it loads off times as me my dad and my brother use to spend our school ho;;idays on our E boat sailing up and down it and sailing on the west coast, as we were all brought up sailing i miss it as havent been sailing for years now although it's going to change next weekend as im racing on a freands boat on the east coast where i live can't wate!!
@sailingpolaris
Ай бұрын
Wow, what an achievement with the SUP! Enjoy the racing on the east coast and thanks for watching!
Another good one.Great music also.
Scottish highlands and sailing ( not to mention walking and climbing) has to be some of the best in the world. Sailing particularly with the currents and tides. Norway would also e on my top list of sailing ( and hiking) destinations.
@sailingpolaris
Ай бұрын
Thanks for watching and commenting, Robert. You know, sometimes it is difficult not to forget how fortunate we are. Norway id fantastic too…
Cold water swimming is good for you No I will stay in the bathroom hahaha 😂
Lovely video, very informative and I enjoy following your nomadic adventures….do you have a medium / longer term plan I.e. it sounds like this season is Norway and around that area but what about the year after? Or do you simply plan the season during the winter? I am guessing you guys have a list of places you’d aspire to visit…..
@sailingpolaris
Ай бұрын
Thanks for watching for your interesting question. We plan to stay in Norway above the Arctic Circle for the winter. Next season it‘s probably Norway again, depending on how we liked the winter. After that? Perhaps the Baltic? We don‘t know yet. But the Caribbean is definitely not on our list of places at the moment...
One of your best. Loved it. Unfortunately, it was a little too motivational. Even before I’ve done the Crinan (10 days to go) I’m already dreaming of ‘The Caledonian’ & a “real” sail to my “real” home; Danmark. I hate you 🤣😂🤣😂🤣
@sailingpolaris
Ай бұрын
😂😂😂 luckily for you we‘re now in Norway, so this teasing will come to a natural end (unless we find another trigger point, that is…)
Scenery to rival Switzerland??!!
@sailingpolaris
Ай бұрын
Definitely! But you wouldn‘t believe that the top of the canal is only 32m above sea level. One gets the impression to be in pre-alpine heights…
@fibber2u
3 күн бұрын
Nobody who has been to Switerland would say that. The scale is rather different.
If you’re to a video about a place at least get the spelling of the place correct.
@sailingpolaris
Ай бұрын
Some may be challenged with spelling, but others are with grammar… 🤷🏻♂️
@antonmanuel4772
Ай бұрын
That is a very funny reply, well said!
@rha4374
Күн бұрын
ACH,Jimmy, A ken whit u meen ,but a Donny ken whit your talking about. 😂