Monday 20 June 2011 - Inverness to Dochgarroch

In our first flight of locks

We made a 7am start from the marina in the mouth of the River Ness to go round to the start of the Caledonian Canal about 1 1/2 miles further up the Firth.  Should be easy as we are not due at the lock till 7:45. Struggled against fast ebb tide just upstream of the Kessock bridge, doing about 1.5 knots over the ground with the engine on full speed.  As the water became wider and slower we speeded up a bit and eventually reached the lock in time.

We were the only boat in the lock and took a while receiving our instructions and paying for our passage.  All lock staff were very helpful.  Stopped at Seaport marina for a bit of shopping and visited the Gael Force chandlery.

Eventually we were ready to go and followed a German boat into the flight of 4 locks.  My first experience of a flight of locks.  There are no mooring places on the lock walls - you throw ropes up to the lock staff who put them round hook-style bollards and pass the ends down.  The only problem is that Pam claims she can't throw the rope up, so insists on steering while I do all the rope stuff.

After a while we finished up at Dochgarroch, which means we can continue into Loch Ness tomorrow without passing through any more locks.

Moored at Dochgarroch

What a change from the Moray Firth. We now feel definitely inland with signs of mountains around.  There has been no wind all day, the water is completely smooth and it is starting to get slightly warm

Done 606 miles. 84 miles to go.  Follow the track on Google Maps.