Canoeing Loch Ness and River Ness

Loch Ness is one of the most mysterious and iconic pieces of water in the world. The legend of the Loch Ness Monster has captured the imagination of tourists, and people around the world for decades. Canoe Trail Rich first paddled Loch Ness as part of a charity challenge he organised back in 1994 ash for WaterAid starting at Ballachulish below the Pap of Glencoe.
Since then the Caledonian Canal has been renamed as the Great Glen Canoe Trail and Rich has paddled it several more times as well as leading groups across Loch Ness as part of the Best of Scotland Canoe Expedition with Canoe Trail. He has canoed the River Oich, River Ness and onto the Moray Firth with its unique dolphin pods many times.
This video includes some of the Canoe Trail Best of Scotland trip sharing some of the best locations in the Highlands on rivers and lochs over a couple of years. Be warned the river levels can change and the weirs on the River Ness do have big boulders and lumpy bits. Most can be portaged but make sure you know the line.
Please show Loch Ness the respect it deserves. At 23 miles long it can whip up to a frenzy, we have paddled it in Force 5-6 with 3 foot waves so please be careful. Years ago Rich first paddled it In Grumman Aluminium canoes which gave off a serious glare in the sun given their shiny aluminium surface. The next day in the papers it was reported a Nessie sighting with silver shaped humps. No Comment!!
Another funny experience was years later canoeing the Great Glen Canoe Trail starting at the Corryvreckan (the world's 3rd largest whirlpool on the coast), up to Oban and then along Loch Linhe to Fort William and Neptunes Staircase. Our friend Colin agreed to drive the van and his presence in the Highlands showed up on an interactive dating App. Local lady Pauline stationed in Drumnadrochit saw the eligible Batchelor Colin on her profile heading up Loch Ness but they never connected at the time as Pauline had to leave for work.
They carried on messaging and the rest is history, they eventually met up down South and hit it off. The happy couple settled in Bedfordshire some months later :)
Drop us a line if you are not sure or need more advice or want to book onto our best of Scotland Canoe Expedition.