Explore the Challenge of Kayaking the Great Glen Way

The Great Glen Way gives the adventurous a unique opportunity to paddle from the Atlantic to the North Sea; traverse across the Scottish Highlands from Fort William to Inverness.

Myself and four friends took on the multi-day challenge……in single Kayaks.

 I’m so proud of my team – we nailed it ! 12^th June – 16^th June 2023

Mark ‘Ackers’ Ackred  :  Clay Smith  :  Rob Callaway  : Roger Davies : Jon Ingarfield

An early morning start on Loch Oich.

In the late afternoon we had “Lightning”….

It’s recommended to get ashore and away from the water asap. I agreed, because water will transmit lightning strikes from further away, so the quicker you can get off the water the better; leave your paddles and kayaks or canoes safely on the shore – We set up camp and had a brew.

Route Overview:

1. Start Point – Fort William:
   • The trail begins at the southwest end of the Caledonian Canal in Fort William.
   • Highlights: Neptune’s Staircase, a series of locks near Fort William.
2. Loch Lochy:
   • Paddle through Loch Lochy, a long freshwater loch.
   • Highlights: Scenic views, opportunities for wildlife spotting.
3. Laggan Locks:
   • Navigate through the locks at Laggan to continue the journey.
   • Highlights: Laggan Avenue, a picturesque tree-lined stretch of the canal.
4. Loch Oich:
   • A smaller, yet beautiful loch nestled between Loch Lochy and Loch Ness.
   • Highlights: Historic sites like Invergarry Castle.
5. Fort Augustus:
   • Pass through the locks at Fort Augustus, a charming village at the southern end of Loch Ness.
   • Highlights: Village amenities, cafes, and stunning views of Loch Ness.
6. Loch Ness:
   • One of the most famous lochs in the world, home to the legendary Loch Ness Monster.
   • Highlights: Urquhart Castle, dramatic scenery.
7. Dochgarroch Locks:
   • Navigate through the final set of locks before reaching the end point.
   • Highlights: Scenic canal sections, chance to rest before the final stretch.
8. End Point – Inverness:
   • The trail concludes at the northeast end of the Caledonian Canal in Inverness.
   • Highlights: Explore the historic city of Inverness, the capital of the Highlands.

A detailed map of the Great Glen Canoe Trail can be obtained from various sources, including:

• Scottish Canals Official Website

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I want to tell you more about my extraordinary journey