Caledonian Canal Expedition or..Tamar and Tavy Gig Club “The wee boat with a flag”
23rd to 29th August 2015
Rob Dawe, vice chairman of the club, decided 2 years ago to take on and organise the challenge of rowing the 62 + miles of the Caledonian Canal from Fort William to Inverness. Planning came to fruition in the last week of August this year.
Day 1. The 16 strong team set off on the long 600 mile plus journey to Fort William. We arrived to warm sunshine and balmy
Day 2. Our Cornish Pilot Gig, ‘Ginette’, was the safety of the Sailing Club and the morning began with sunshine, bright skies ahead and grey skies behind. Launching from a slipway at Lochaber, with the boat flying the flag of Devon, a short row took the crew to the entrance of the Caledonian Canal at Corpach, Just into the Canal brought us to the eight locks of Neptune’s Staircase, gradually lifting the boat to a height of 70 feet above sea level. This heralded the start of an 8 mile row along the canal to Gairlochy and our first night’s camping.
The ground support team took the boat trailer to Dochgarroch, near Inverness, where parking had been arranged for the week. This proved a good introduction to the easy-going nature of the Highlands, the lock-keeper – who clearly knew nothing of the arrangement, only commented, “Aye, if you say so”.
Day 3. After breakfast, it was into the boat for the rowers and through the lock into Loch Lochy, for its entire length- leaving behind the shadow of Ben Nevis, then back into the Canal to Loch Oich, followed by Canal all the way to Fort Augustus, our next night’s stop.
Day 4. Starting from a beautiful Fort Augustus and a lesson that locks only operate one way – taking boats up, or taking boats down. So although ready at 0930 at the top of the first of 5 locks taking the canal down to Loch Ness, a “double” lift of boats from Loch Ness to the top meant it was 1230 before the gig hit the waters of the Loch. A slow start to a hard day’s row.
Given Loch Ness’ 23 mile length, our next stop was planned roughly halfway along, pulling the boat ashore for the night at Borlum, near Castle Urquhart. The constantly changing and stunning scenery more than made up for the minor discomforts of midges and showers. That evening a trip to a nearby pub/micro brewery producing Loch Ness Ales. There were many friendly greetings at the numerous locks, and great interest from other sailors and pedestrians. In fact, in the course of the journey, the gig became known to fellow travellers and the lock-keepers, as “the wee boat with the flag”.
Day 5. – and the last leg of the row – completing Loch Ness and still in choppy water and a strong SW wind – and back into the Caledonian Canal for the final leg to Inverness. All that was left was to take the gig from its mooring in Inverness through the Sea Lock into the Beauly Firth for a short sea row to the slipway of North Kessock,
A final night of celebration at a well-known eating and music venue – Hootenannys – capped a memorable experience for all.
The rowers: Lynn Renton, Helen Samson-Hill, Tricia Stewart, Helen Lloyd, Ginette Nobbs, Sue Douglass, Simon Howes, Mike Vosper, John Rogers and Chris Dill.
The runners, cyclists and climbers: Rob Dawe, Carolyn Dawe, Ginette Nobbs, Charlie Lloyd and Sam Lloyd.
The ground support crew: Andy Stewart and Brian Nobbs (who built Ginette and towed her up from Weir Quay).
66 MILES, 29 LOCKS, 4 AQUEDUCTS AND 10 BRIDGES!
A GREAT ADVENTURE AND THANKS TO ALL FOR A GREAT TEAM EFFORT!
