Scotland's first Canoe Trail

Plans are underway to exploit the burgeoning canoe tourism market by creating Scotland's first canoe trail on the scenic Caledonian Canal.


British Waterways Scotland has developed plans for a new 100 kilometre canoe trail from Fort William to Inverness, in partnership with the Highland Council, Scottish Natural Heritage, Forestry Commission Scotland and the Scottish Canoe Association.

The new Great Glen Canoe Trail will capitalise on the exponential growth of the activity, currently estimated to increase 25% year on year. It will also add to the contribution in tourism spend from the Caledonian Canal, currently estimated to make up 14% of the total tourism spend in the Highlands.

At present, approximately 2,500 paddlers visit the Caledonian Canal spending around £750,000 per annum locally. The growth in participation in the region is believed to be largely due to access legislation in Scotland, coupled with the attractiveness of the Great Glen for paddle expeditions. As well as the canal corridors, the Caledonian travels through four lochs including the challenging waters of Loch Ness.

The action plan for the Great Glen Canoe Trail, which was first developed by the partners in 2008, builds upon the success of the ‘Great Glen Ways'. Marketed under the banner of Three Sustainable Ways - Boat, Bike, Boot - the ‘Great Glen Ways' promotes the amenities of the Caledonian Canal, the Great Glen Way Long Distance Route and the Great Glen Mountain Bike Trails, to tourists across the UK and beyond.

The canoe trail will feature a wide range of practical and supportive amenities, such as paddler-friendly low level access pontoons at each of the canal's locks and bridges, informal campsites with open side shelters, fire pits and composting toilets, and dedicated car parking facilities.

As well as the development of an interpretative plan for the route there will also be a website, a trail map, guidebook, promotional DVD and, it is hoped, a canoe festival.

Subject to funding, it is hoped the Great Glen Canoe Trail will be completed by spring 2012.

 For more information visit www.britishwaterways.co.uk