Scottish alarm clock
No shower, but a Scottish alarm clock awaits the SailCaledonia crews as the midway point approaches. After the bright sun and the calm of the day before, it is the mist which dominates at dawn. For the first time, one does not see the summits of the mountains, but the light and gorse are more in conformity with the usual image of Scotland. A quick delivery in a small channel gives us the opportunity to test new rowing and paddling configurations. The flotilla then gathers at the edge of a beach to wait for the opening of a road bridge, under a weather always gloomy.
Foggy alarm clock
Scottish anchorage
We beache in the middle of gorse
1st victorious regatta for Loustic
Arrived on Loch Oich, smallest of the three natural lochs of the Caledonian canal, the race committee launches a round. The sun appears and the wind with it. Eole is blowing from the northeast, in the axis of the log, and we must be careful not to prolong the weave too much. The depths are shallow! We are pleased that the Multimono has a pivoting daggerboard and that its rudder has been raised! After a nice transfer battle against a Swallow Boats in plywood, Loustic takes the lead to never let go. Not necessarily the fastest upwind, the boat benefits from its beam downwind, although we don't use our gennaker, which is forbidden by the race rules. If the event remains friendly, the racing virus lives in our skipper, who is happy to show the qualities of his boat with this victory.
Elsie, Orkney canoe, on the Loch Oich
Descent of the Multimono under jib tangonné in the middle of the Scottish mountains
Swallow Cruise Boats on the Loch Oich
Canoes are also under spinnaker in Scotland
Loustic, first to the pontoon!
Jack, king of rowing on the SailCaledonia
Capsizing on the finish line on the Loch Oich
We're waiting for the bridge to open!
The flag boats go down to the Loch Ness
We have reached the highest point of the Caledonian canal. It's time to head back down to the North Sea. After a rowing race, facing the wind, in the canal, more delicate than the sailing race for the crew of Loustic, we reach the first locks towards Loch Ness. As is the tradition at SailCaledonia, a competition for the most decorated boat is organised. The Scottish Canal Lockers act as juries. Kilts and hats are out. The boats fly the large flag, national flags and flags of the gatherings in which they have participated. We note that the Week of the Gulf, in Morbihan attracts the British! When we reach Fort Augustus, the southern gate of Loch Ness, the surface of the sheep water and the wind approaches 20 knots! The last meters to the pontoon are conquered of high struggle, with the strength of the oars.
The hats are out
Hats always...
Lover a kilt tip, a Scottish activity!
Boats with a lock to access the Loch Ness
Landing at Fort Augustus, south gate of Loch Ness
For this night in town, the crews have free time. We take the opportunity to taste a good Cullen Skink, the Scottish smoked haddock soup, accompanied by a few beers. It is the full stomach that we return dreaming of a beautiful windy navigation on the Loch Ness. See you tomorrow, Nessie!
