Row Scotland with us

[Dale R. Hamilton]

Dial up a map of Scotland. Notice that Dunferline and Edinburgh are on the Firth of Forth on the East coast. Greenock is on the Firth of Clyde on the western shore. They are connected by a series of canals and waterways, making it possible to transverse the breadth of Scotland- were it not for the 115 foot difference in elevation at Falkirk. Happily, the Falkirk Wheel has solved all that in a spectacular fashion. This is a huge revolving cylinder that lifts one round of boats up 115' and lowers another round 115'.I'd love to row this course, past Stirling Castle and at least one distillery.

Wife & I would like to rent a work-type skiff/ wherry in Dunferline, row West, staying at B&B's along the way, thru the wheel, and finally to Greenock. There we would meet up with another couple- who would then row East, staying at the same B&B's and finally return the boat at Dunferline. We split the cost of the boat, pay our own expenses, and the 4 of of us have a great time.

So how about it- any adventurers out there? Please reply only if (1) your wife says OK, (2) you can physically row 5 or 6 hours a day, and (3) you like scotch whiskey and want to return to the motherland. Suggested time frame- early November. Cost? count on about $650 air fare to london, another $100 Scotrail to port, maybe $100 each for the boat- depending on where we get it. I thought I'd write several boatbuilders in Scotland and see if they can help us out with a boat. I've done this before- so this is no bull.

[Crusoe]

Shame you missed it. (http://www.sailcaledonia.org/mainframe.htm)


I'm not sure if November is the best month to be doing this in Scotland.

[Matt J.]

Jenny and I are going to talk about it tonight, Dale. I think it sounds great (maybe I could enjoy the Scottish beers until you further my whisky education?).

[Dale R. Hamilton]

Yeah- I know about this raid- too expensive for me. We did same course a few years ago in a boat I borrowed with only cost of B&B and food/drink.

[Meerkat]

In a mad moment: contemplating the number of rowers, lined up along the shore, it would take to "row Scotland". :D

[Mike McN]

My first post, the link is a log of a trip through the canals which should be of interest.

http://www.peyc.org.uk/peycwww/cruising/logs2003/lady.pdf

[Mike McN]

Sorry was a little terse in my my last post, but if you followed the link you could see the canal was an industrial one, now in the first stages of becoming a recreational one and with some way to go. In short, I didn't want you you to have a bad visit.

If you follow this link:

http://www.scottishcanals.co.uk//html/11_skippers/fs-11_skippers.htm

you will find some very good information about navigition and facilities about inland waterways, I know little about rowing trips but I would think that some part of the Caledonian canal would be more enjoyable.

I live close to Dunfermline and if you want info about this or other regional stuff just ask.

[Dale R. Hamilton]

Whoa - wait one Mike! You may be on to something. Rowing an industrial canal might not be my cup of tea. Then another little tidbit from the Skipper's guide you kindly attached. I notice "Unpowered craft MAY NOT navigate in the Falkirk tunnel". This really sounds like a show stopper. That was the whole reason for going. In fact I've even got another couple (see above) interested in going.

So, perhaps we can impose on you to suggest another route- maybe 50 miles or so. Not the Calidonian Canal- we have already done that- and a very beautiful trip is is. Perhaps a river, with a few distilleries. This would be in early November- so would this conflict with Salmon fishing? Would also want the water to be high enough for a small boat to make passage. How anout the River Tay?

[P.I. Stazzer-Newt]

Sorry, I can name NO rivers in Scotland navigable by rowing boat for 50 miles.

No one who has seen Grandtully or Campsie Linn in spate would want to try it in a rowing boat.

The lower reaches of the Tweed look promising but have No distilleries - and really tricky access - the law is different on the south bank.

There is a nice line on the "Shin" but the falls are marked on large scale maps as a tourist attraction.

Fun can be had with a Canoe or Kayak but access can be problematic and november can be quite cold.
Read this for starters (http://www.ukriversguidebook.co.uk/scaaccess.htm)

Better bet would be the some of the English rivers Thames, Avon (as in Stratford) the Yorkshire Ouse or the Norfolk broads.

[Dale R. Hamilton]

Rats- thats not what I wanted to hear. Still this is why we do research first. How about the Crinian Canal?

[P.I. Stazzer-Newt]

Scottish Canals Download page (http://www.scottishcanals.co.uk/html/8_resources/fs-8-1_downloads.htm) has details on the crinan canal and many others - the site is worth browsing.

It is worth remembering that Glasgow is nearly 56 degrees north - that's 420 nautical miles north of the Canadian border. November is not really the tourist season.

If my wife found out that I'd committed her to spending 6 hours in an open boat in November.....

I though you might enjoy this - Tay, Source to Sea (http://www.ukriversguidebook.co.uk/tayarticle.htm)

[ 06-13-2005, 07:00 PM: Message edited by: P.I. Stazzer-Newt ]

[Mike McN]

I think that P.I. has pretty much hit the nail on the head, I missed the detail that you were speaking about November and whilst we don't have Canadian winters the days are getting shorter and on the west coast cold, windy and wet are the norm then. If I had a wife and I told her ...

[Figment]

I think I'd be willing to endure some remarkably inhospitable weather if I got to ride the Falkirk Wheel!

[Steve Paskey]

You mean this thing?

http://www.my-digitalphotos.co.uk/photos/albums/scot03/n10353.jpg

[Wild Dingo]

Dale rather than all that sweat and muscle pain caused by rowing all day in Scotlands fine COLD weather couldnt the trip be done by canal boat? go all the way in comfort and in a traditional craft steadily sippin scotch whisky along the way stoppin here and there to stretch the limbs sober up and wander the castle and history of that country what an adventure!

But remember mate were not as young an fit as we once was!!! comfort mate comfort!! :cool:

Hope you get to do it mates and post MANY pics

Och eye laddie tis an wee innerestin thin ye are plannin och eye!

Gi me mah scotch whiskey or gi me mah FREEEEEEEEDOM!!! :D

[Dale R. Hamilton]

Appreciate the canal boat idea WD- but not yet ready for it. I can row easy all day, sip a little scotch for warmth, and appreciate the beautiful highlands in relative silence.

[P.I. Stazzer-Newt]

I may have over-egged the pudding on weather.

Early November has very unpredictable weather - I'd expect to get some fine days which could be spent rowing.

How about a Loch - Loch Lomond (http://www.loch-lomond.net/boating/boathire.html) these people do clinker build boats for hire.
Its about 25 miles long and reasonable well supplied with watering holes - and its very own munro.

[ 06-14-2005, 10:54 AM: Message edited by: P.I. Stazzer-Newt ]

[skuthorp]

A Lebanese mate and I once set out to canoe part of the trip, (east side) but it was summer, and cold and raining, and sleeting, and we came across a distillery, and another, and a brewery................. great holiday though I think I remember.
:cool: tongue.gif :confused:

Ha!, I remembered more than I thought http://www.dufftown.co.uk/

:D :cool:

[ 06-15-2005, 06:33 AM: Message edited by: skuthorp ]

[Dale R. Hamilton]

you know, the loch idea may be a good one- particularily if weather is going to be a factor. Starting on the south shore, one could circumnavigate the lahe in 10 or 15 mile legs, staying at B&B's along the way. If weather intruded- you just stay where you are. Also, your bringing boat back to same place you rented it. Now, whats this about a distillery near the lake?

[Alan D. Hyde]

:D :D :D

Alan

[Crusoe]

I was going to suggest others, but Loch Lomond....

http://www.armin-grewe.com/holiday/scotland2003winter/lomond-south.jpg

Probably has more places to stay on it than other Lochs, you can rent a boat, it's only an hour from Glasgow AND it's got it's very own song.

:cool:

[P.I. Stazzer-Newt]

Lake?

There is but one Lake in Scotland - The Lake of Menteith - home of the "Bonspiel" which happens any time it has ten inches of ice.

This is truly unique sporting event, not only does it draw competitors from all around the world, but the date is unpredictable (last one was 1979), and should it happen, the consumption of stimulants is not forbidden - in fact its expected.

[Matt J.]

Dale,
I was reading up briefly on Loch Lamond yesterday before i had to sign off the long distance dialup at home... it sounds like a quieter, less adventurous way of doing the same thing. Not knowing the area, I'm basing that on the fact that there are B&B's, a hotel, lots of Islands (I think I read that one or two are wildlife sanctuaries?), towns, and apparently a few pubs, oh, and the boat hires are mentioned, too.

[ 06-15-2005, 11:24 AM: Message edited by: Matt J. ]

[Figment]

I tried pitching this one to the wife yesterday. First question: "Do I have to help you row, or do I just get to sit back and take pictures?".

sigh.

[Matt J.]

She can sit back and take pictures, fig, that's what i ask of jenny - that and peanut gallery, galley slave, bartender (when appropriate etc), sit down comic, navigator (more left, Mattie, no my left - uh-oh, did I call you mattie in front of your friends?), cheerleader (which she still remembers from like...um, yes, 5 years ago ;) ), and whatever else.

Dale says they plan on boats rigged for one rower, not two. if Jenny had to row, she could in a pinch, but not for hours on end.

[DerekW]

Back when Billy Connelly was still funny, [doing stand up comedy drawing on his days in Clydebank] he used to have this line about "Scotland having two seasons; Winter, and June".

Lomond was my back yard growing up; I learned to windsurf in Loch Lomond [and I do mean in, rather than on].

Outdoors pursuits in the west of Scotland in November? You could get anything from crisp cool and sunny through to driving sleet and snow. Since you won't be able to pick your days, the smart money would be on multiple varieties of constant rain and bone chilling damp. You'll survive, but it's not my idea of a holiday...

Caveat vacationer
Derek

[Dale R. Hamilton]

MattJ - agree on the Loch idea. We could easily hole up if the situation dictated. Then too, two boats would be available. Only an hour from Glasgow too. I'm in. Lets stard doing some research and many thanks to those chaps who suggested it.

We have rowed the Shannon River in November- no problem, thats what those big wooly scots sweaters are for. But you should probably pack a slicker just the same.

[Clyderigged]

I think rowing anywhere in the Strathclyde region during November is a bit wild - all the power to you. I remember dealing with "freezing fog" during November while rerigging the 3 masted barque GLENLEE in Glasgow. Turning in wire seizings on 1 3/8" 6x7 wire outside in that weather was a lot of ffffuuun.

Jamie White
Clutha fecit