Caledonian Canal Skipper’s Guide
Our Skipper's Guide tells you everything you need to know about boating on the Caledonian Canal.
Maps and facilities on Caledonian Canal
Our maps show you how to navigate through the Caledonian Canal and where the locks and bridges are. For information on local attractions and activities, please visit our Things to do page.
1. Clachnaharry
Sea lock hours:
The canal sea locks operate with approx. 1.4m of tide (Spring HW± 4 hours), during operating hours.
VHF Ch 74 (16), call: “Corpach Sea Lock” or “Clachnaharry Sea Lock”.
Inverness Marina VHF Ch 12 / Inverness Harbour VHF Ch 12/16 (office hours)
Approaches to Clachnaharry
- Admiralty Chart 1078. Imray Charts C22 & C23.
- HW Inverness is at Aberdeen –0050 (sp); –0150 (np). Tidal range 4.1m (sp); 1.9m (np)
- The final 3 miles of the approach from the NE to Kessock Bridge is shoal in places. A careful course should be maintained.
- The tide runs strongly through Kessock Narrows and Kessock Roads. Approach the sea lock with care in these conditions.
- Anchoring off the sea lock may be difficult due to strong tidal current. It may be preferable to wait in Inverness Marina.
- To avoid sandbank NE of canal entrance, (night) keep in white sector of Longman Point Beacon, or (day) keep beacon well open north of S bridge pier.
- For passage between Inverness Marina and Clachnaharry Sea Lock (and vice versa) see map.
2. Muirtown and Clachnaharry
Bridges and locks:
- Clachnaharry Sea Lock
- Clachnaharry Works Lock
- Swing Bridge (please keep close to the boat in front to minimise road traffic delays. Opening is restricted during peak hours)
- Muirtown Flight
Seaport Marina:
Canal Office 01463 725500
Slipways:
Seaport Marina - 01463 725500
Caley Marina - 01463 236328
3. Loch Dochfour
Bridges and locks:
- Dochgarroch Lock
4. Loch Ness
Attractions:
5. Fort Augustus
On arrival at Fort Augustus, skippers should moor their vessel and check locking times with the lock keeper – VHF CH 74.
6. Loch Oich – north-eastern portion
Bridges and locks:
- Cullochy Lock
Download a map for Loch Oich – north-eastern portion
7. Loch Oich – middle portion
8. Loch Oich – south-western portion
Bridges and locks:
- Laggan Locks
Slipways:
- Great Glen Waterpark - 01809 501381
9. Loch Lochy and Laggan Locks
10. Gairlochy and Loch Lochy
11. Corpach and Banavie
Bridges and locks:
- Neptune’s Staircase
- Banavie Swing Bridge
Attractions:
