Expedition Overview
This expedition is a combined practice and qualifying expedition over seven days on the Great Glen, it involves lots of training and a classic canoe journey from Fort William to Inverness on lochs and canals. We can pick participants up, late morning on day one (11:15) from Fort William bus station, or train station. After that we shall head to the start point, a section of Locks on the Caledonian Canal called Neptune’s Staircase. Day one shall involve lots of training. We will cover:
- What to wear
- Safety and rescue
- Getting on the water
- Steering the canoe
- Packing the canoe
- Weather, planning and navigation
After a wild camp on the south end of Loch Lochy, we shall make our objective, on days two and three, to go on a journey and travel the entire length of the Loch, about 16km. Morning of day four marks the end of the practice expedition and the start of the qualifying expedition. One of our vehicles will be at hand for you to change / swap out any clothing and to resupply your expedition rations.
Day four (Day one of the Qualifying expedition) takes us along Loch Oich and into Loch Ness. Days two, three and four of the Qualifying expedition shall entail journeying the length of Loch Ness and the section of canal between Loch Ness and Inverness. At the end of the expedition we will drive you to Inverness bus or train station. You’ll also, at this stage, be reunited with any travel kit you’ve left with us in our vehicles.
What's Included
The cost of the expedition includes all kit hire (canoe, buoyancy aid, paddle, helmet, barrel, and dry bag rucksack for your kit. Also tents, gas, and a stove). Also included is pick up from Fort William bus and train station to the start point of the expedition, and then drop off at Inverness bus stop or train station.
What to bring
We will provide all of the specialized canoe kit and equipment, and a dry sack rucksack and barrel for you to store your stuff. A detailed list of what to bring will be set out in the participant pack, but in summary, you will need to include:
- Waterproof jacket and trousers
- Trainers
- Towel
- Sandles
- Warm layers, hat, and gloves
- Sunglasses, sunha,t and suncream
- T shirts
- Midge hood and midge repellent
- Sleeping bag and mat
- Expedition food for four days
- Torch
- Small first aid kit.
- Bowl, spoon and mug
- Water bottles (2 x one litre)
More Information About The Great Glen Canoe Trail
The Great Glen is geological fault that runs across Scotland from Fort William to Inverness. In it likes prominent lochs like Loch Lochy, Loch Oich and Loch Ness, Scotland’s largest loch. Connecting these lochs is the Caledonian Canal. Opened in 1822, the canal provided a navigable route for shipping, between the North Sea and the west coast of Scotland. Today the canal and its lochs is known as the Great Glen Canoe Trail, a classic journey for kayakers and canoeists, 60 miles (97km ) long and typically taking five to six days to paddle.
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Terms and Conditions
Please read our terms and conditions:
These are the terms and conditions for Aspen Outdoors Ltd events.
- Participants must disclose information on any relevant medical condition or treatment that may have a bearing on their ability to take part.
- Participants must provide information to Aspen Outdoors Ltd on their skills and experience in the activity (winter hillwalking, summer hillwalking, multi-day treks, bushcraft activities) to help determine their competence and suitability for the activity.
- Participants must read the information about the activity with particular attention to the grade/difficulty of the hike, the length of the day, the distance to be covered, and the height gained.
- The objectives of the event, for example, the ascent of one or more peaks, are not guaranteed, being subject to weather conditions, snow conditions, and the capability and competence of participants in the group.
- The objectives of the event may be modified or abandoned, subject to weather and snow conditions, and the capability and competence of the participants in the group.
- The event may be postponed or cancelled, subject to adverse weather and snow conditions. Should this happen, the company shall either provide a full refund or rearrange the event.
- Participants must consult the equipment list provided by the company and follow other instructions provided to them before the activity to ensure that they are appropriately prepared for the activity.
- During the activity, the participants must follow the instructions of the instructors to ensure their safety.
- If the customer cancels within four weeks of the event that is due to take place, the customer shall not be eligible for a refund.