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Scotland Tourist Info >
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Northern Highlands > Water
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Water and water activities around Loch Ness and the northern Highlands of
Scotland Cruise on
it, sail on it, white-water rafting on it, canoe on it, walk
beside it or just plain sit and stare at it... |
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The
Caledonian Canal runs almost directly from North East to
South West
linking the Atlantic Ocean with the North Sea, making
use of the chain of freshwater lochs of the Great Glen.
It was designed by Thomas Telford, the greatest of Scotland's
civil engineers. Funded by the British Government and constructed
between 1803 and 1822.
It was built with a largely unskilled local labour force. So,
if you are lucky enough to pass through in a sailing craft
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you can
enjoy the wonderful scenery and also marvel at the work of
Telford. |
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If you don't have a boat one
is able to walk a large part of it - e.g. Fort Augustus |
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to Aberchalder Bridge |
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where it
meets Loch Oich, then from Oich Bridge at North Laggan to |
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South
Laggan Locks |
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where it meets Loch Lochy and again at the south
end of Loch Lochy there are paths beside the canal too running to
Fort William. |
This is part of the
Great Glen Way. It runs from
Fort William at the south end up to Inverness in the north and is
approximately 72 miles long.
Web
In this area:
Loch Ness
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Caledonian Canal Heritage Centre.
Small museum with displays of how the canal was built. Free
admission.
Beside the canal in Fort Augustus.
Open Spring & Autumn, five days. Summer daily 10am till 5pm
Tel: 01320 366493
Web
In this area:
Loch Ness
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Cruises:
1. Click for a list of
cruises in the area.
2.
The Statesman Cruise,
based in Kylesku, is a 2 hour
trip and travels around an inland sea-loch called
Glencoul to see Eas a'Chual
Aluinn - 650ft waterfall!
To check availability call
or visit the Kylesku Booking Office
(01971) 502345 which is situated at the top of the Old Ferry Pier in
Kylesku. E-mail:
statesmancruises@talk21.com
3. Cruise on
Loch
Laxford to visit seal colonies and view
seabirds. Cruises are available from mid-May to September. Boats
depart from Fanagmore. Tel:
01971 502251. E-mail: pearcejjpearce@aol.com
4. See Handa Island below.
5. Lochinver cruises form the harbour.
6. Summer Isles. Achiltibuie Post Office. No Sunday sail. The
Summer Isles Cruises run twice daily ( except Sundays ) May to
September from Badentarbet pier, Achiltibuie. The morning cruise
leaves at 10:30am and returns at 2:00pm the afternoon cruise leaves
at 2:15pm and returns at 5:45pm. See many species
of seabirds, visit the seal colony. Both cruises land
on one of the Summer Isles for one hour.
Tel: 01854 622200
7. Ullapool.
'Sailing
from Ullapool, on the West Coast of The Highlands, The
Summer Queen
offers visitors the opportunity to visit the famous Summer Isles.
2 and 4 hour cruises take in the beauty of Loch Broom and the
Western Isles, encountering local seabirds, seals and even a unique
chance to see Dolphins swim in our wake...'
In this area:
NW Sutherland
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Cruise Loch Ness. Go aboard
the Royal Scot at Fort Augustus. Trips last about an hour and go
part way up the Loch. Refreshments. 3D sonar. Indoor and outdoor
seating.
Leave from the swing bridge in Fort Augustus (2 mins from car park)
01320 366277
In this area:
Loch Ness
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How
about a boat trip all the way from south Loch Ness at Fort
Augustus to north Loch Ness at Inverness The
Lochness Express will take you there and back twice a
day. Leave all your cares behind and relax. It's fun and
you're well looked after. |
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By very special request you
may be able to get off at Foyers - give them a ring to make
sure you get a place |
Tel: 0800 328 6426
E.mail:
info@lochnessexpress.com
In this area:
Loch Ness
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Dolphin and Seal Centre Moray
Firth. Observe dolphin in their natural habitat. Exhibition with
interactive and video of local dolphins. The Dolphin and Seal Centre
has a magnificent view of the Moray Firth. Pick up a set of
binoculars and spot one of the 130 individual animals or the many
seals in the Firth. Minke Whales can sometimes be seen in the Moray
Firth between August and October
Cross Kessock bridge
(Inverness) north, take first left. Centre near TIC car
park.
Tel:
01463 731866
Open Apl - Oct
Web
Moray Firth
Dolphin Cruises: 01463 717900 Phone to book
Dolphin
Ecosse at Cromarty
Dolphin
Trips, Avoch.
In this area:
Firthlands
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Gairloch Marine Life Centre & Cruises. Pier Rd, Gairloch.
01445 712636
In this area:
Wester Ross
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Great Glen Watersports. Loch Oich.
Invergarry. Hire boats, canoes.. bikes. Whitewater rafting, jet
biking, wake boarding, wind surfing... 'Mountain bikes,
abseiling, guided walks and day treks are perfect ways to take in
the scenery. Archery, air rifle and our new knife and tomahawk
throwing allow you to test your aim...'
South end Loch Oich on A82, 2 miles south of Invergarry
Open East - Oct
Tel 01809 501340
In this area:
Loch Ness
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Diving. The clear sea
lochs at Kylesku are a popular venue for Diving Clubs. Scuba-Diving
is available at Lochinver for experienced divers only.
In this area:
NW Sutherland
If you're up
this way and kayaking is your thing then take a look at
UK
Sea Kayaking in Scotland - they have information about
interesting routes off the coast. Personal accounts of routes and
experiences which make interesting & encouraging reading, with forum
and diary and events and much more.
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Cruise on
Loch Laxford to visit seal colonies and view
seabirds. Cruises are available from mid-May to September. Boats
depart from Fanagmore.
Tel: 01971 502251
E-mail:
pearcejjpearce@aol.com
In this area:
NW Sutherland
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Loch Ness
Loch Ness is part of the Great Glen. A massive steep sided trench
carved out by the Ice Age. The Loch is 22.6 miles long and about 1
mile wide and the greatest depth is though to be 850ft though only
recorded at 750ft. There are 263,000 million cubic feet of water,
more than all the lakes of England and Wales added together, and
deep enough to totally cove the Empire State building. Sightings of
a Water beast in Loch ness go back to 565 AD when St Columba ordered
it not to eat one of his followers. Since 1933 when the A82 road was
opened many people, well respected locally, are totally convinced
they have seen a moving being in the water. Loch Ness runs from Fort
Augustus in the south to Inverness. You can drive beside it on the
A82 and on the south side on the B851 from Inverness to Foyers - the
latter being a quieter road but single track in places.
In this area:
Loch Ness
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Northcoast Marine Adventures. Scarfskerry, Thurso.
Marine/wildlife/scenic/white-water adventures by Jetdrive rigid
inflatable boat from John o' Groats harbour. Visit seals at close
quarters in caves.
07867666273
In this area:
Caithness
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Portmahomack. Great beaches and
views. Good for watersports. Lovely walks to the Tarbar Ness
lighthouse.
In this area:
Firthlands
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Other
things to do: Birds
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Beaches
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Castles
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Cycling
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Fishing
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Gardens
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Golf
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History
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Horses
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Kids
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Misc
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Nature (Reserves)
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Walking
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Whisky
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