Caledonian Canal leg begins....

Day 9: 8th May 2026.

Loch Corry to Corpach Sea Basin, Fort William and Banavie Jetty, Caledonian Canal

Duration 3 hours + 5 hours : Wildlife seen - some crazy Lock surfing ducks

An earlyish getaway, and then a 3 hour motor, which gave the Captain time to get his fender board in order....

before our arrival at Corpach Sea Lock, Fort William....

 ...and the start of our Caledonian Canal caper....

A couple of locks guided by some lovely and expert Canal staff, which were good practice for us both...

before a brief wait at Banavie jetty, which gave us time to have lunch and inspect the impressive, but slightly daunting Neptune's staircase - which is the longest staircase lock in Britain. Comprising of 8 locks and built by Thomas Telford between 1803 and 1822, it sits in the shadow of a snow clad Ben Nevis.

At 2pm it was our turn to rise up the staircase, lock by lock... with myself taking the strain and leading the bow rope up the staircase canalside, and the Captain manouvering Sulaire into each lock and controlling the stern....

With the canal being super quiet, the weather being very kind, and the staff being incredibly helpful, the two hour ascent was over before we knew it - and we happily tied up at Banavie pontoon in time for a nice walk to the Muirshearlich aquaduct.

...and then it was back to the boat for a hearty dinner and a well-earned sleep...

on some very settled water.