So, it began as a tick off the canoe “to do list” the popular coast to coast canoe trip crossing Scotland from Fort William in the west to Inverness in the east. This trip like our other forays onto Scotland are intended not just as canoe trips, but a chance to recharge our batteries. Camping, camp craft and good evening food also plays a big part of the experience too. As does just sitting back relaxing and enjoying the surroundings. The group has now been whittled down from six to four, four is a good number especially for the Great Glen Canoe Trail; as campsites are limited in size and availability.
We set off on our journey at the top of "Neptune's Staircase" a run of eight locks at Corpach near Fort William (Fort Bill).
With a moody looking Ben Nevis and a breeze at our backs we left civilisation, ok we left as much of it behind as possible, well-tended tow paths and signs of humanity were slowly diluting away.
Ben Nevis
We soon reached the first real portage at Gailochy, another lock that leads us into Loch Lochy.
Portage time
There are a number of semi wild camp that the Canoe Trail organisers have named "Trail Blazer" sites. Here at Gailochy was the first on route, we had our lunch here. Whilst chowing down on our lunch the weather was catching us up and threatening to damp us down a little, the wind bringing in spots of rain, we quickly donned our water proofs only to remove them not too long after when it was obvious the rain wasn’t coming.
Putting in at Loch Lochy
Now we were in the entrance to Loch Lochy we past the light house and were again able to hoist the sails as the loch opened up taking full advantage of the wind that was channelled in the right direction by the mountains. We cruised steadily along the Loch taking in the views, as we sailed along we were able to lose our selves in our own thoughts. Alone but with friends when conversation sprang up. It was the first time I had used my sail in open water, just fabulous, I, was really enjoying myself.
We pulled into the next trail blazer site Glas-dhoire three quarters of the way down the loch. The midges were out, not bad by Scottish standards but bad enough for us to camp out of the bushes and on the boulder strewn beach. Tents pitched we all donned our head nets to keep the wee beasties away from dining on our faces ears and scalp.
Camp 1 mk 1
The rain finally caught up with us, so the tarp was quickly set up.
Tarp set up
A cooking fire was lit in a firebox and the communal evening meal was prepared and cooked, lamb biryani complete with chapattis, smoke trapped under the tarp kept the midges at bay.
Curry cooking
Firing the chapattis
Dave piped up that he felt grubby and was going for a dip to clean up! It was dark as he waded out into the cold depths of the loch. I stood on the bank, throw line in hand; just in case.
Wash time
Later that evening we reclined in our matching lightweight chairs that we had all bought just before the trip (review later) and watched "the campfire telly,” and whilst gazing at the fire whisky was (as is tradition) duly consumed.
Camp fire telly