Inverness Favorite Tips by daarth Top 5 Page for this destination

We were lucky.

Favorite thing: The first Locks were easy handling, as we were lucky to be almost alone. This gave us good time to get used to things. Usually the locks are full, and there can be 3 rows of boats inside at a time. With the turbulence as the water is let in (or out) you have to be quite vigilant not getting your boat scratched or banged up. Good large fenders and a fender plank is a must. Also plenty of solid rope.

Sailing through the countryside

Favorite thing: At the top of the Muirtown Locks, we entered a longer stretch of canal. It was a totally new experience navigating on a narrow man made Canal. We of course had to use the engine, as there is no room for sailing other than on the lochs (lakes).
It was quite relaxing “driving” through the countryside and watch the scenery pass by.

Looking down

Favorite thing: It was indeed a new experience to look down at the town of Inverness from the deck of a sailboat. It did feel sort of unnatural sailing above the rooftops. This was however nothing compared to what we were to see at the other end of the canal looking down to Fort William from the top of Neptune’s Staircase.

Roadsigns on the water...

Favorite thing: I was not used to see “road” signs form a boat, but the one we saw here was best followed. It was a warning to stay off the one edge of the canal, as the water flowed over to the river. A small boat with limited power could get sucked off the canal...

Fondest memory: Read from the ships' logbook in the travelogue here:

They said we had to be at least 4...

Favorite thing: None of us had ever sailed in a canal before, and we had read a lot before sailing over. There were a lot of strict rules and regulations, and we understood that there would be a full inspection of the boat to see if we were worthy of entering the canal. Nothing happened. We paid for the entry and sailed happily on our way into the canal.
We had also read that we would have to be at least 4 people to man the ropes in the locks, so we were a bit nervous how that would work out as we were only 2. That also turned out to be no problem at all. But watching a few other boats managing to make problems, I understood why they recommended 4.

At Inverness marina

Favorite thing: As far as I remember there was one more lock after the sea locks before we entered a larger basin were the marina was. The marina is owned by the British Waterways, and using a birth there is included in the Canal fee. It is a pleasant marina with all facilities.

We came in the morning and decided to stay till the next day since we had some repairs to do on the boat. (We hit 2 storms crossing the North Sea). We found a Volvo Penta dealer for engine parts a 20-minute walk up the canal, and there were many supermarkets next to the marina for supplies

In the evening we had a good shower and found a great pub down towards the sea lock. There we met a group of English sailors that could tell hair-raising stories of Americans in rented boats that sailed the locks sideways! They had scratches on their boat to prove it :-)

Entering the Caledonian Canal from the sea

Favorite thing: We arrived first at the sea lock midnight the day before, but found it closed. We had to head back to the river entrance where the harbour for Inverness is. We were quite tired after our adventure crossing the North Sea from Norway. (See the story in “off the beaten path”). In the morning we discovered that there in fact was a separate harbour for small boats with all facilities. Next time we’ll use that…
Next morning we arrived and entered the sea lock in sunshine with great expectations for the canal.

The story of a smart Seagull - part 1

Favorite thing: At the Muirtown Locks we entered the first of 4 locks. As we tied up and waited for the water to rise, I noticed a rather large seagull sitting on the left edge near the next lock. “That’s interesting,” I thought, “He’s watching the water rise too….”. As the next gate opened and we started moving forward into the next basin, the bird flew up and settled at the same spot in front of the next lock.
After we tied up there, I asked the lock keeper if that seagull was employed by the British waterways. He laughed and said no, but there was an interesting story about that seagull. He explained that this particular seagull had learned that the water from the canal was rich with eels. And when the locks opened and the water came pouring into the basin, there would often be eels in the water. The seagull also made certain there was no competition by fighting off any other seagull that dared come near.

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Continued in part 2
(if you enlarge the picture, you will see the seagull on the right side, waiting for his catch)

The story of a smart Seagull - part 2

Favorite thing: The next lock opened, and sure enough, the seagull flew up and settled once again at the same spot at the last lock. He sat there as the water started pouring in, and all of a sudden he dived into the basin. A moment later he was back up on the edge, but this time with a large eel in his beak! We watched in fascination as he manoeuvred the eel so he had the end in his beak, and then with a whip of his head the eel slowly was swallowed down his throat. It was an amazing sight! His stomach bulged with the large eel inside, and we wondered if he in fact could fly with the extra weight. He had in fact learned a trick here too. He used the hill on the side of the locks. He started running down the hill flapping his wings and jumping. After a certain distance and an extra high jump, he pulled up his feet and slowly gained altitude.
The lock keeper assured us that the seagull would be back the next day for his next eel.
The King of the locks....

We saw it in the sunshine!

Favorite thing: Inverness is the capitol of the Highlands (I am told). It lies on both sides of the river Ness and has the North-East entrance to the Caledonian Canal. In our case we were headed for this entrance.