We are just going to enter the Caledonian Canal in Scotland.
The weather is windy and cloudy.
Here are some boats waiting for us to get in to the canal.
There is yet another boat behind us.. They accidentally hit some rocks when leaving the harbour...
There is the entry point to the canal. Sixty miles through beautiful Scotland.
Going to the canal was exciting as none of us had any experience of going to the locks...
All communication in the locks is handled via VHF, the order, the entry times etc..
I have no clue where the ropes should be attached to...
Should we throw the ropes up or how...
At least that's the way it should be done...
I have to put some throttle on to keep it steady.
It so windy. It's  eight or nine meters per second wind from behind.
We have to slow down a bit...
Oh wow.
Come on this side!
The current and the wind from the side makes steering very hard.
The boat in front of us started to slow down and do something strange .
I had to be careful not to hit them in this narrow space.
Finally all the first boats were on their own side and steady.
Good. Thanks. Good throw.
Decrease the speed a bit
I am doing it all the time.
Take the rope please.
And tie it up.
And here we go. The lock is filled with water and we rise a couple of meters.
There are going to be 28 locks in this canal.
And finally on the freswater side. The first lock completed without scratches or injuries.
One more lock for the first day and we will reach the first place to spend the night.
Everything seems to go a lot smoother when doing it the second time..
The "Kiel plank" in real action. It protects the fenders from rough edges and dirt.
The first evening in the canal was a beautiful one. We were able to enjoy the very non-Scottish weather.
The canal trip continues. This time its Muirtown lock with four boats.
And already on the next lock. There are a maximum of 5 consecutive locks in one place.
Dont hold the line so tight.
It's going well.
What is happening?
The stern was slipping to the wrong side.
Tie the rope here.
Put it there. Yeah, good!
Let's take this a bit further forward.
Just a little bit.
Forward!
Yes!
Again a bit greener nature. The sides of the canal are primarily rural areas and beautiful nature.
We completed the locks very well. You deserve another serving of rom.
The canal does not have enough space to maneuver so the narrow parts are completed in nice queues.
Why is my head tilted all the time. Does it look like that all the time?
It must be the camera.
Or rom.
The depth here is about 4,5 meters
It looks shallower near the side but it goes deep very fast.
Finally at Loch Ness. No monsters and no sailing. Here the wind is straight from the front or the back.
After Loch Ness we decided to spend a few days here and enjoy the sights and life.
Fort Augustus Locks, five in a row. This is a good place to follow how the boats go through the locks.
As we are on the British isles we had to taste fish and chips again. With delicious cider.
We finally experienced a proper Scottish weather. The rain hasn't been this wet even in Norway.
After the rain comes the sun and life is well. Recording videos ended here as my camera declared itself kaput.
Once again, maybe on Loch Lochy, the sights are just unbelievably beautiful.
At the other end of the canal at Fort Williams our canal trip ended and we finally got to sail. The sea feels good.
Caledonian Canal 2019. Sailing yacht Freedom Cal and her crew.
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