Though be warned, the midges are vicious as the sun sets and at sunrise. The table below
shows the averages for the different routes. There is one additional route via the Crinan
Canal but it makes little difference to the timings or distance. Depending on your boat’s
beam, you might not be able to go through the Crinan Canal or Forth and Clyde Canal, as
both have a minimum width of 20ft (6m).
AVERAGE
Route by yacht
(no of boats) Logged Passage Cruise Days No of places
nm length nm duration at sea visited
Overlooking Pentland Firth, where spring England, Wales & Lowland Scotland
tides can reach 12 knots via the Forth & Clyde Canal (1) 1561 27 92 days 58 47
Britain* via the Caledonian Canal (18) 1856 40 89 days 47 43
towards Loch Linnhe looked at many other
Britain via Cape Wrath (25) 2202 41 88 days 54 56
circumnavigations by yacht, as well as our
own. So hopefully the next few paragraphs
Table based on research of 45 yachts Note: *Excludes Northern part of Scotland
will help with some of those planning
decisions.
Caledonian Canal. The ‘Caley’, as it is known will save you approximately 250 to 500
PLANNING
miles depending on the number of stops. The benefit comes not only from the shorter
The majority of yachts leave in the first two
distance; but it is also more sheltered,
weeks of May. This will give you the best
though the wind can be funnelled down the
chance of minimising the number of gales
glens, which results in the wind being either
that you meet en-route, as May to August
with you or against you. It stretches 50
have the lowest number of them around the
nautical miles from Fort William to Inverness,
UK. Though last year’s summer is proof
following the natural fault line of the Great
that gales can occur! Most people will not
Glen through the Highlands. About a third
be in the fortunate position of deciding their
(19nm) comprises of man made canals that
timeframe, as it is likely to be dictated by
link a chain of fresh water lochs. Designed by
factors such as work, finance etc. Therefore
Thomas Telford, the canal was Britain’s first
it will be a balance between the route and
state-funded transport project and took 19
the number of stops. You may decide to
years to build, opening in 1822. This route
press on quickly through areas that you
passes dramatic scenery: the Great Lochs
Ituna approaching a bridge, Crinan Canal
know well, or take on additional crew to
of Lochy and Oich, the infamous Loch
do some long initial legs, to allow you to
Ness and the historic castle of Urquhart Castle. It offers the opportunity to drop anchor in
spend more time cruising new areas. I came
some tranquil spots and you will pass through Chanonry Narrows at the entrance to the
across a boat that had completed the trip in
Moray Firth, which is reputedly the best place in the UK to see dolphins. If you do take this
6 weeks right through to one who had taken
route, don’t just take the shortest route to or from the canal at the Fort William end. One
2 summers. When asked what they would
couple cruised around Canna, Skye, Rum and Staffa before heading south. I would strongly
do differently, they said take 3!
recommend this, otherwise you will miss out on some stunning cruising.
Crinan Canal. At 14.5km, it is the
shortest canal and is described as
Scotland’s prettiest short cut. It crosses
mid Argyll, from Ardrishaig, Loch Fyne and
emerges at Crinan, allowing you to miss out
the Mull of Kintyre, which is known for its
strong tides.
Souter Lighthouse, south of Newcastle
Forth and Clyde Canal. The restored
canal reopened in 2001, and connects the
If you are not able to take much time off, it
Firths of Clyde and Forth. This route takes you through large towns with busy areas and
is possible to split the trip up and complete
also peaceful countryside and passes the Falkirk Wheel, the first rotating boat lift. You will
it in stages. This also gives you the ability
need to unstep your mast for this route.
to base your boat in a new location and
enjoy exploring the area from that base,
WEATHER
before moving on. One couple spread the
It is unlikely that you are going to be at sea for days, unless your time available is
cruise over 13 months, cruising for 27 days
very short. So you are trying to work out: should I go today? What will the conditions
in total. If you plan to complete it in stages,
be like en-route? Will the next harbour be sheltered? What will it be like tomorrow?
give careful consideration to where you will
When is the next weather window? So you need to be able to:
leave the boat and the transport links. Be
warned the north west of Scotland requires
• Check local weather conditions through local observation.
careful planning for both of these aspects.
• Receive short to medium term forecasts (next 6 hours to 48 hours). Most use the Inshore
If you use one of the canals, not only do
weather forecast for this obtained, via Coast Guard, NAVTEX or the Internet.
they provide short cuts, but they provide a
break, in terms of a different pace and time
• Obtain long-term weather forecasts (3-7 days). There are many sources from the Internet,
to just enjoy the scenery.
weatherfax or even talk to a weather forecast services.
»
  FEBRUARY 2009 : MULTIHULL REVIEW  29
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