Transfer and Other Options:

Day 1 – Canoeing in the Great Glen: Loch Lochy
Our canoe journey begins above Neptune’s Staircase on the Caledonian Canal, a gentle introduction as we make our way to Gairlochy, and the first of several lock gates, at the end of Loch Lochy. A canoe trip up the Great Glen with its large areas of open water is dictated by wind conditions, but we plan to get about three quarters of the way up Loch Lochy today, camping on the north side in the shelter of trees. (L, D)

Day 2 – Canoeing in the Great Glen: Loch Lochy to Loch Oich
Today’s section has the variety of the open water of Loch Lochy and a beautiful tree-lined section of canal, before we reach Loch Oich, much the smallest of the Great Glen’s lochs. Sometimes we can tow our canoes through the locks, while at other times we will need to portage – this is all part of the open canoe journey! Our campsite tonight is on the grassy shore of Loch Oich. (B, L, D)

Day 3 - Canoeing in the Great Glen: Loch Oich to Loch Ness
Very occasionally the level of the River Oich is perfect for paddling, but normally we are back on the canal for the few miles up to Fort Augustus. Here we have the longest portage of the trip, round a series of six locks, but our efforts are rewarded as we canoe out onto the mighty Loch Ness. If the wind and the group’s energy allow, we will continue up the loch to camp in the woodland below Invermoriston. (B, L, D)

Day 4 - Canoeing in Loch Ness: Invermoriston to Urquhart Bay
Loch Ness is awesome in any weather conditions, so as we continue our canoe journey we may be sailing with a following wind or watching reflections of the steep mountains in mirror calm water. Urquhart Castle guards the bay into which we plan to paddle for our last night’s camp, though there is always the option to continue further. (B, L, D)

Day 5 - Canoeing in Loch Ness: Urquhart Bay to Inverness
From Urquhart Bay to Lochend is over a mile wide but before too long the end of the loch is in sight. After a few miles we will reach Loch Dochfour out of which flows the River Ness, which in turn flows through Inverness and out into the Beauly Firth. This is the end point of a memorable canoe trip through the Great Glen. After sorting our kit, we are transferred back to Fort William for our journey’s end. (B, L)

PLEASE NOTE - Due to the exposed nature of the landscape, the prevailing weather may result in our goals being modified. The itinerary may be subject to change at the discretion of the guide having regard to wind and weather conditions and other factors.

Group size is limited to 8 as we believe this makes it easier for our guides to offer personal attention and wildlife-viewing possibilities are also enhanced. Our groups vary widely in terms of age and canoeing experience and this diversity always adds to the holiday experience. We welcome anyone from the complete beginner to seasoned expert – all that is needed is a reasonable degree of fitness, plenty of enthusiasm and an appreciation of the fantastic scenery on offer! Over half of our clients join on their own so these trips are a great way to meet like-minded people.
The guiding team consists of the best guides in Scotland – all of whom are passionate and will share their vast knowledge and experience with you. Equally important to the technical skills of our guiding team is a sense of humour and the ability to ensure that a wide range of clients of all ages and abilities enjoy the very best Scotland has to offer.

This itinerary is graded as “Moderate”.
Our "Moderate" graded canoeing holidays require a reasonable level of fitness but are suitable for most people to join. The Great Glen trip is suitable for people with no previous experience of canoeing and makes for a wonderful first canoe expedition.
You will need reasonable fitness to cope with canoeing for six days in a row, and to be out wild camping with no facilities for five consecutive nights. You can expect to spend up to 7 hours paddling each day, although this includes plenty of breaks. There are some minor portages around canal locks on this trip but nothing too strenuous. To help you decide if you are fit enough for this trip, ask yourself: Can you comfortably undertake up to 7 hours of physical activity in a day, combined with wild camping at night?

When the sun shines in Scotland, it is the best place in the world to be! And although the Scottish climate is renowned for its variability, it is not nearly as rainy as you may think. Even if you get caught in the rain, you will see waterfalls and rivers come to life, and the mountains take on an atmospheric appearance which can be very dramatic. It is always best to be prepared for bad weather just in case!
During spring and early summer, meadows of wild flowers bring an abundance of colours to the landscape and it is a great time to experience Scotland’s rich wildlife and birdlife. May and June are the driest and sunniest months and a recommended time to visit Scotland, with normal daytime temperatures of 15 – 18°C. The northerly latitude also means that Scotland enjoys 4 hours more daylight than London, with the most northerly regions barely getting dark during the weeks around midsummer.
July & August are the warmest months with normal daytime temperatures of 18 – 22°C. This is a popular time to visit Scotland but our trips are based in genuine wilderness areas far from the crowds. Scotland’s famous purple heather is at its best in late August, especially in areas such as the Cairngorms.
Late summer brings generally settled weather as we pass into September and October, with normal daytime temperatures of 14 – 16°C. Autumnal colours begin to emerge with birch and rowan trees throwing up particularly bright colours which complement the reddish hue of the hillsides, roamed by well-camouflaged red deer.

The following lists are designed to help your preparation and packing for your trip. The list is not exhaustive and, given the range of personal references, does not include all clothing that will be required for general use i.e. wearing around camp in the evening etc.
Having suitable equipment and clothing will help make your trip even more enjoyable, especially if the weather is less than perfect at any time. 
We recognise that sometimes it is difficult to decide exactly what to bring and what will be most suitable. We are, of course, pleased to offer advice based on our experience, so do not hesitate to contact us if you have any queries.

What to wear whilst canoeing
- Paddling Footwear: either old trail shoes/walking boots or wellington boots
- Warm walking/hiking socks such as those by Thorlo
- Quick drying lightweight trousers, zip-off trousers are ideal
- Shorts (in the event of not having zip-off trousers)
- Waterproof trousers such as ME GTX Pant
- Fully waterproof jacket such as ME Kongur Jacket*
- Thermal wool or synthetic base layer (not cotton)
- 2 x lightweight fleece pullover/jacket
- Sun hat/baseball cap
*The ME Kongur Jacket won Trail magazine’s ‘Best in Test’ award 3 years in
a row. To find your local Mountain Equipment stockist, call 01457 854424.

What to have close to hand while canoeing
- Warm hat & gloves
- Water bottle (with at least 1 litre capacity) and (optional) Thermos flask
- Midge net & insect repellent
- Head-torch with spare battery
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Personal blister kit (such as Compeed plasters or moleskin) and first aid kit
- Anti-bacterial hand gel (for cleaning your hands as required)

Camping Equipment
- 3-season sleeping bag such as ME Firewalker II
- Lightweight sleeping mat or Thermarest
- Lightweight quick drying travel towel
- Personal lightweight wash kit (biodegradable soap)
- Head-torch & spare batteries
- Some polythene bags (to separate wet/dry clothes if necessary)

Optional extras
- Camera (plus spare film/memory card and batteries)
- Binoculars
- Small "day" rucksack, approximately 15-30 litres
- Rucksack liner/large plastic bag for keeping items dry

Group Equipment
We will provide all canoeing equipment (canoes, paddles, buoyancy aids, kneeling pads) and group camping equipment including tents, cooking & eating utensils, waterproof barrels, maps, first aid kit and group shelter.

Hire Equipment
If you do not have any of the recommended equipment, we have some items
available for hire:
- Sleeping bags - £10 per expedition
- Sleeping mats - £5 per expedition
If you need to hire any of these items, please note your requirements in the
correct section of the booking form.

PERSONAL FIRST AID KIT
The following is a list of recommended items. Although most of these items are generally available along the route, it is always more convenient to have a ready supply. This is particularly relevant to any specialist medication.
- Antiseptic cream
- Plasters, bandages, adhesive tape, zinc oxide tape
- Moleskin or Compeed for blisters
- Scissors, tweezers and safety pins
- Anti-inflammatory drugs e.g. Ibuprofen
- Analgesics e.g. Aspirin
- Anti-diaorrheal drugs: e.g. Imodium
- Antihistamines
- Re-Hydration salts or solution e.g. Dioralyte
- Throat lozenges & Dextrose glucose tablets
- Water purification tablets
- Insect Repellent
- Contact lenses and glasses (if appropriate)

Overnights are in tents. Cooking on these expeditions is a group activity and everyone gets involved – making the morning coffee, chopping fresh vegetables for dinner or washing up. The meals are all healthy, filling and imaginative. Throughout the trip, we practise a ‘leave no trace’ policy, which your guide will explain at the start of the trip, so that we can be sure we are not damaging these beautiful but fragile landscapes.

Passports
Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all nationals referred to in the chart except:
1. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card.
Note: EU nationals are only required to produce evidence of their EU nationality and identity in order to be admitted to any EU Member State. This evidence can take the form of a valid national passport or national identity card. Either is acceptable. Possession of a return ticket, any length of validity on their document, sufficient funds for the length of their proposed visit should not be imposed.
Passport Note
(a) A passport is not required for travel between Great Britain and Ireland, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man. (b) Passengers transiting the UK destined for the Republic of Ireland are advised to hold return tickets to avoid delay and interrogation.

Visas
Not required by nationals referred to in the chart above for stays of up to six months.
Visa Note
(a) Nationals not requiring visas are advised to be in possession of either a return ticket or, if arriving on a one-way ticket, proof of sufficient funds to accommodate and support themselves for the duration of stay. (b) Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements