5-Day Great Glen Canoe Expedition from Inverness

Inverness, United Kingdom

Travel under the watchful eye of a local guide and will camp along the way. You'll get the opportunity to learn new canoe skills or consolidate what you already know. With stunning scenery, myths and legends and lots of fresh Highland air, this is an expedition not to be missed.

Typical itinerary

Day 1 - Fort William to Gairlochy
Start with everyone meeting up and being transported to the start point at Banavie, Fort William. After packing up and a short briefing session and everyone is happy with steering a fully laden canoe we will paddle around 10km towards Gairlochy to find a remote campsite to enjoy our first night well away from the bustle of Fort William.

Day 2 - Gairlochy to Loch Oich
Much of the day is spent paddling the length of Loch Lochy (who came up with that name!). Hopefully the prevailing south-westerly wind is blowing and we can rig an improvised sail to speed us along. At the head of the loch we pass through Laggan Locks then paddle a two mile section of canal which takes us into the magical Loch Oich, home for the night.

Day 3 - Loch Oich to Alltsigh
The River Oich runs side by side with the canal from here along to Fort Augustus, so we make the most of having a current to help us along for a while. With a lunch stop in the lovely Fort Augustus you get the chance to visit a few shops for the first time on the trip and also to visit the Caledonian Canal Museum. On leaving the village we face the daunting prospect of tackling the 36km of Loch Ness.

Day 4 - Alltsigh to Dores
A full-day on Loch Ness today. In normal conditions this is a lovely leisurely paddle and we may well have time to land at the dramatic Urqhuart Castle for photo opportunities, and a visit to the excellent Historic Scotland visitor center. In the evening we finally reach the head of the loch and find a campsite nearby. Looking back down the full length of Loch Ness, stunning sunsets are common.

Day 5 - Dores to Inverness
The hustle and bustle of the city looms ever closer this morning as we leave Loch Ness behind, travel through the picturesque little Loch Dochfour, negotiate the last canal lock of the journey at Dochgarroch then paddle through rolling farmland and into Inverness.