Along the Caledonian Canal

The scenery is breathtaking, but it's a bit of a mobile phone and internet desert so I haven't been able to update the blog for a while.

Swapping the lumpy North Sea for the peace and tranquility of the canal

And it's much warmer!!!!

Although I've had to use the motor along the canal sections, I was able to sail down through Loch Ness, even though it was blowing a force 7 directly against me. It took about 8 hours of zig-zagging against the wind, but it was a LOT of fun!

The Loch is VERY deep. My depth sounder measures up to about 180 metres, but across the middle of the loch it went off the scale and the reading blanked out. Apart from an odd occasion where it mysteriously flashed up 20 metres for a short while. Probably just a fault in the equipment.

Loch Ness may get all the publicity, but Loch Lochy is even more breathtaking. I spent one night moored up at Gairlochy at the bottom end of the loch, and it was absolutely beautiful. It was the most tranquil and relaxing night I've spent so far, with not a sound apart from birdsong. Will have to watch out for too much sun on the top of that head though.

Imagine waking up to this view! Ben Nevis from Nepute's Staircase

I'm currently at the top of Neptune's Staircase, a long series of locks going back down to sea level at Fort William. There's a terrific view of Ben Nevis from here, where there are still patches of snow near the top.

The Jacobite steaming past at speed

The West Highland Railway still uses steam trains and runs right past here. How I managed to get this shot defeats me - I just pointed it as the train sped past at about 60 mph and hoped I clicked at the right moment!