Forth Clyde Canal, Crinan Canal & West Highland Week

home  

26/7/2002 to 9/8/2002

We have recently completed the West Highland Sailing week in Flint,  the journey covered approx 500 miles and included a return trip through  the Forth Clyde canal , the Clyde and the Crinan canal.  We then travelled up the west coast of Scotland to Oban and then out to Tobermory.

The journey last almost three weeks, and for the first 10 days it rained virtually non stop. However the day we reached Tobermory,  the sun came out, the temperature was in the 20`s and we had some marvellous sailing. 

  
Forth Clyde Canal.

The second of 40 locks on  the canal.  Great fun to begin with but it rapidly became a bit tedious with the thought of a  120 locks for the return trip including the Crinan canal.  There were some problems due to weed and plastic bags.  However the canal staff helped us through all of the locks, and were very helpful.

The journey was certainly an experience not to be missed,  but perhaps not to be repeated.
Crinan Canal

Just about through the Crinan canal and we met the Vital Spark 
Carob Haven Marina

Ragtime on passage from Crinan to Craobh Haven Marina
Start of the passage race from Oban to Tobermory
Tobermory,  all of the yachts at anchor in the bay.
Tobermory

The bay was almost like a tropical island, Sam decided to cool off .
Tobermory

Kermit & Ragtime
Passage race from Tobermory to Oban
Passage race from Tobermory to Oban
Passage race from Tobermory to Oban, crossing the Lorne Firth in 30 knots of wind.

I don't know the name of this yacht,  but it was almost lifting right out of the water on occasions.
Oban to Crinan with Corybrechan in the background
Falkirk wheel on the Forth Clyde Canal
Flint in the Forth Clyde Canal next to the Falkirk wheel.