Safety

Your safety when on and off the water is very important. The Caledonian Canal at sixty miles has a diverse range of waters and paddlers should be aware of what they are getting into prior to taking on the Canoe Trail.

Only 22 miles of the Caledonian Canal are on man made waterways with the remainder crossing four lochs including Loch Lochy (12 miles) and Loch Ness (22 miles), which even although they are inshore, they are classed as open water. Waves of over three metres in height have been recorded at the end of Loch Ness.

To further help we have created a short safety video to highlight those conditions with the safety and rescue skills that you and your group may have to undertake when on the trail. We also offer a free Trail Guide Map to all who register to take on the trail. This map is designed to compliment the use of Ordanance Survey Landranger maps, not replace. Safety information and emergency contact details are highlighted on the Trail Guide Map for your convienence.

Highlighted are some simple ruled to follow when taking to the canal and the lochs sections of the Great Glen.