057:25.916 N
004:18.309 W

Caledonian Canal, Dochgarroch

Much to our relief, the wind died away through the night and so we prepared TC for the Caledonian Canal.

Before we slipped our mooring, a last minute change of plan enabled more dear family friends to pop by for a cuppa, this time three generations of smiling faces sat in the sunny cockpit and caught up on several decades of news; Kate MacPherson with Sam & Katie Short and Fiadh (2yrs) and Innis (7 months); wonderful!

After farewells at the marina gate, TC headed out and found the wind against tide had created quite an impressive short stroppy sea with white tops. We entered into it a tad underdressed as spray immediately flew over the deck. However, fortunately it wasn’t for long and a quick VHF call through to Clachnaharry Sea Lock was answered with a wave indicating us to proceed.

With wind and tide now pushing us into the sea lock, it was quite an alarming experience as TC was tossed and turned about a bit in the small space. But Bol handled her well and Harry shot up a ladder armed with a stern line so we soon got under control and were tied up alongside. It materialised that the reason it was closed yesterday was due to a yacht doing an accidental 360° turn in the first sea lock due to the windy conditions.

So we are now approx. 5 miles into the Canal, 2nm short of the entrance to Loch Ness. We went through the initial sea lock, then past a railway swing bridge leading to a second lock. At Muirtown we had to ‘climb’ four locks which were fun as we held the bow & stern lines and ‘walked’ TC into the next lock with Bol motoring slowly forwards. A couple of road bridges opened for our convoy of four, then a gentle putter for a mile or so and we came through the final lock of this section. We are now moored alongside a pontoon and free to go in the morning.

Pilot Books all say how incredibly friendly the lock keepers are; without exception they all made the entire process a real pleasure; explaining when necessary, helping with the lines when needed, complimenting when things went well, telling us to take our time if our ropes got in a muddle.

There is a fine mix of boat nationalities and the theme is ‘relax and go at canal pace’  ~  it took 5 hours to go 5 miles so I think we’re in canal mode already.