Foggy conveyor on the Loch Ness
If the evening before had ended under a magnificent summer sun, it is in the mist that the SailCaledonia crews wake up for the last leg on the Loch Ness. The view of the boats, nested in fog in the estuary of the Foyer River, corresponds perfectly to the place and the legends which relate to it. The wind that blew the previous afternoon, creating a current on the Loch Ness, changed the water level at the mouth. The phenomenon, anticipated by Martin, the organizer, forces us to lighten the boat to get out of the river. In the absence of wind, a free conveyor is planned to Urquhart Castle. This is an opportunity to exchange crews. I leave Loustic for the morning, giving my place to Mark, a British man based in California, who came back expressly to do SailCaledonia. On the Multimono, Claude takes out his gennaker without making miracles in the wind. On my side, I enjoy the landscape, towed aboard Pippin, Mark's boat.
Fog on Flotilla in Foyer River
Exit the Foyer River
Multimono under gennaker in the mist of Loch Ness
Rowing in the fog of Loch Ness
Last regatta in fresh water
The start of the race is given in the bay at the foot of Urquhart Castle. In the absence of wind, everyone makes the oars talk. We manage not to let our opponents go too much, until the wind rises timidly. As we scan the laughing stock, we keep wandering in Loustic. Although its use is prohibited in the race rules, we decide to send the gennaker. The objective remains to enjoy sailing. A few laughs will satisfy the crew and allow them to arrive in an honourable position! It's already the end of the Lochs! We go up the canal to a lawn that will house our tents for the last two nights, near the Dochgarroch lock.
Urquhart Castle on Loch Ness
Stop at the gates of Inverness
Stop at the gates of Inverness
Last stop before Inverness
Finally ready for rowing!
A last rowing race on the canal takes us to the gates of Inverness, capital of the Highlands. It is a little late, but we have finally found the ideal configuration for rowers on the Multimono. 3 crew members swim in pointe, while another sculling and the last bar on the front thanks to a return circuit on a broomstick! Ideal for the Multimono's plate, this solution relieves the rear, reducing the wet surface. However, the solution invented by Claude, our Geo-Trouvetout, designer of the Multimono, requires preparation time and is not adapted to mixed sailing and rowing races. If you have to return to the SailCaledonia, it is with shorter oars to row two per bench, in a fixed position. This does not prevent us from appreciating our progress during the year.
After landing the skipper, taking the truck and its trailer to the finish, we cross the port of Inverness after several bridges and a series of locks.
We keep busy by locking in the lock!
A French Loxo returning to the country crossed at the bend of a lock
Last pontoon before the North Sea
Beauly Firth Salt Water Regatta
The fleet moored in the Clachnaharry Lock Basin, the northern gateway to the Caledonian Canal. Martin and John give their final briefing before the regatta in the Beauly Firth, a large estuary that opens in front of us. We then pass our 29th and last lock, a ritual that is now well established, but which has lost the charm of novelty. Loustic finds the salt water.
Briefing
A good fifteen knots ensure a tonic navigation. Cheated by the strong tidal current, we hit a buoy and repair our fault. Determined to please us, we use again our fatal, but illegal weapon, the gennaker. The Multimono makes the powder talk and lifts the entire fleet. The minimalist fittings make the boat sporty in these conditions, but the sensations are good and we finish the SailCaledonia on pleasant sliding sensations. Last cannon shot, it's time to put Loustic back on his trailer.
We're lining up to get the boats out of the water
Maggie, and her family crew, winner of the Highlander Trophy, get out of the water
Let's pack it up! The Multimono Loustic on its trailer
A beautiful evening, with music and crew sketches, closes the SailCaledonia. Jack, one of the smallest boats in the fleet, extremely versatile between sailing and rowing, is the overall winner. The rain is coming for the first time, it's time to go home!
A strong sailing experience in an exceptional setting
The title of this paragraph resembles a travel agency catalogue. Yet that's how I feel. Sailing through the Scottish mountains is a rare experience. Beautiful boats and an efficient organisation are the ideal complement. Thanks to Claude from Multimono shipyard for his invitation aboard Loustic, an ideal opportunity to test his playful yachts, so often seen during assembly on shows.
