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Caledonian canal
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Leon
 


Member Since: 26 Apr 2014
Location: Leamington Spa
Posts: 424

England 2005 Discovery 3 TDV6 Base 7 Seat Manual Zambezi SilverDiscovery 3
Caledonian canal

Hi,
Has anybody done a self drive boat hire holiday on the caledonian.

Done the last 12 years on the Thames, Norfolk broads and the Leeds Liverpool canal but fancy a change this year.

Any info gratefully received.
  
Post #21265838th Mar 2020 9:13 pm
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blueanchorinn
D3 Decade 


Member Since: 07 Mar 2006
Location: In a pub in Devon
Posts: 973

United Kingdom 2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 HSE Auto Lugano TealDiscovery 3

Great scenery. Fewer places to stop than say the Thames or broads but very worthwhile
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I refuse to have a battle of wits with an unarmed person 
 
Post #21265888th Mar 2020 9:27 pm
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Leon
 


Member Since: 26 Apr 2014
Location: Leamington Spa
Posts: 424

England 2005 Discovery 3 TDV6 Base 7 Seat Manual Zambezi SilverDiscovery 3

Was thinking about the stopping places, we are looking at going in October , the normal boat holiday time.
 

Last edited by Leon on 9th Mar 2020 6:49 am. Edited 1 time in total 
Post #21265918th Mar 2020 9:31 pm
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galwaygreen
 


Member Since: 30 Oct 2011
Location: plymouth
Posts: 6525

United Kingdom 2016 Discovery 4 3.0 TDV6 Graphite LE Auto Loire BlueDiscovery 4

big place
  
Post #21266198th Mar 2020 11:33 pm
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RBB
 


Member Since: 19 Nov 2018
Location: Fife
Posts: 167

Scotland 2015 Discovery 4 3.0 SDV6 HSE Lux Auto Alaska WhiteDiscovery 4

Have a look on scottish canals website or specifically google "skippers guide Caledonian canal" There are plenty of places to stop, usually Lockside or next to swing bridges....how far you get and where you want to stop will depend on how fast you go ! and if there are any stoppages. many years ago we hired from Cale Cruisers at the Inverness end, a long mid week in October and only managed as far as Fort Augustus, by the time they do the hand over, tuition etc the lock at Dochdarroch had closed, and it was nearly dark so first night there, second night at Fort Augustus, couldn't go any further due to a closure in the next pound, back and forth on Loch Ness, plenty to see Castle Urquhart and the Clansman all have berths. The weather can whip up pretty quick anytime but especially in October, my Mrs got seasick heading back against a very stiff breeze to Fort Augustus Laughing

To compare a mate and I did it in 2 small ribs last year in May coast to coast in 3days 2 nights, wild camping at the various spots in the skippers guide, its an awesome place, awesome scenery and an awesome engineering feat !

See how quick the weather can change in a day two ! (Remember no such thing as BAD weather in Scotland, you just haven't got the right clothes on !)




  
Post #21445478th May 2020 1:41 pm
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waterbuoy
 


Member Since: 26 Oct 2013
Location: Argyll
Posts: 2855

United Kingdom 2009 Discovery 3 TDV6 SE Auto Stornoway GreyDiscovery 3

Jamie and his team at Caley Cruisers will look after you, provided lockdown has lifted by then. It is very different from waterway based holidays elsewhere - not least because the main road runs along it for the whole route. However, the lochs and canal sections are big enough to allow plenty of privacy.

Be warned that in some of the locks, especially Fort Augustus and Neptune's staircase (if you get that far south), it can feel a bit like being in a goldfish bowl as the onlookers peer over the edge to see what is going on. You will end up on literally hundreds of holiday videos etc!

Final warning is that we are currently in our summer season - it has only rained for two days since lockdown started. On the balance of probability it is therefore likely to be changeable (at best) when you head north.
 Currently 2009 Disco 3 SE and 2013 MY D4 HSE
Previously:
TD5 Defender 110 CSW (230k miles)
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4 RR Classics (300-350k each, 2 manual, 2 auto)
110 V8 CSW (220k)
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Post #21445558th May 2020 2:50 pm
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Leon
 


Member Since: 26 Apr 2014
Location: Leamington Spa
Posts: 424

England 2005 Discovery 3 TDV6 Base 7 Seat Manual Zambezi SilverDiscovery 3

Thanks for all the info, we are looking at going with caley cruisers and have looked at the guides they provide.

Really impressed with the quality and the info given on the guides.

It's been one of my must do things, friends that we have always boated with every year on the canals and Norfolk broads for the last 11 years always had the same factory shutdown in November so have never got the chance to do the caledonian because caley cruisers shut in October now friends have retired it's on the cards.

Norfolk broads



Skipton, Leeds Liverpoool



Both in November
  
Post #214535611th May 2020 6:58 pm
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