THE 2008 SCOTTISH RAID!

STOP PRESS - 'Loch Ness Challenge' now established for serious Raid competitors

Introduction

Sail Caledonia is the annual Scottish 'Raid' or expedition for boats powered by sail and oars which takes place in the Highlands of Scotland in early summer. Everyone who has taken part so far has acclaimed it as a fantastic event and an experience not to be missed. Using the three major lochs of the Great Glen and the 200 year old Caledonian Canal, the fleet of up to 25 boats races, explores and ceilidhs their way up the Glen from Fort William through Fort Augustus and Loch Ness before finishing in the journey in the Highland Capital Inverness.

Sail Caledonia is an open event and anyone can join in providing that they meet the safety requirements. This year will build on the successes of the past 5 years and attract around 25 boats of all shapes and sizes so why not give it a go between 24 May and 31 May 2008!

What to Expect

Sail Caledonia aims to provide an opportunity for competitive and relaxed sailing and rowing in small boats and to encourage the use and development of such boats for cruising and 'expedition making'. In addition, the event provides a unique sample of highland culture - where else do you get to listen to unaccompanied gaelic singing aboard the last sailing herring drifter to be built or find skipper's briefings signalled by a tune on the bagpipes!

Whilst completing the 66 mile navigation from coast to coast, one of the great inland waterway journeys of the world, there are many opportunities to stop and explore the Great Glen and surrounding areas. There are always a wide range of activities and entertainment provided by local communities and businesses with everything from white-water rafting to highland dancing on offer.

The combination of self-sufficient travel, competitive sailing and rowing, a vibrant celidh atmosphere, the many shore activities, and the spectacular scenery of the Great Glen all provided in the spirit of world-famous Scots hospitality will result in a truly memorable experience.

Sail Caledonia is an annual event and with so much to see and do, we hope that competitors will return for many years.

Racing

Sail Caledonia is essentially a series of races or 'Raid' including at least one race per day during each leg. The journey will be split into sections, some to cruise in company and some to race for those who want to. A series trophy will be awarded for the best overall performer in each class. Further details of rules and formalities are provided within the Notice of Race.

Loch Ness Challenge

The 'Loch Ness Challenge' is an event within the main event. The challenge is to complete a 36 nautical mile course from Fort Augustus to Lochend and back to Foyers within 18 hours.

This part of the event is also open to local boats and others who do not wish to complete the whole Raid, but are looking for something much more challenging!

Leisure Cruising In Company

For those who do not wish to race for some or all of the legs, there will be the option to accompany the fleet 'cruising in company'. This will enable those with boats not suited to rowing to participate in the sailing legs and regattas whilst motoring between. It will also be possible to join the fleet for part of the event only if that is preferred.

Accompanying Crew

An alternative that is popular with those not able to bring a boat is to book in to one of the accommodation boats and be available to the 'press-gang'. Those who took this option in past years sailed in a wide variety of boats and had a superb time. In 2008 we hope to have additional local boats who will be looking for crew.

2008 Programme

Sail Caledonia 2008 will commence on Saturday 24th May and will finish late on the following Friday night allowing travel home on Saturday 31st May. Our itinerary takes us to a different stop-over location each night (apart from Friday) and the distances sailed will vary from around 10km to 30km. We will normally aim to finish sailing by around 17:00 each day so as to provide plenty of opportunity to relax, participate in shore events and sample the hospitality aboard the accommodation boats. See the Sailing Programme page for the full provisional programme.

Shore Activities and Events

In 2008 we hope that there will be a full programme of shore activities and events run in parallel with Sail Caledonia. Where possible events will be timed to allow sailors to participate after racing however some activities will inevitable require a full day. There will be not restriction on 'crew-swapping' thus allowing people the freedom to participate in both Sail Caledonia and the shore programme.

Social Programme

One of the main attractions of the event is the social programme. Our 'resident' musicians provide traditional music aboard the accommodation vessels and in addition there will be a number of shore events, including an opening reception and the memorable final prize-giving ceilidh.

Safety

We will provide information and advice to assist with planning, together with patrol boat cover during racing, however the organisers cannot take responsibility for the safety of individual boats or their crews. Accordingly, entrants to Sail Caledonia 2008 should be entirely satisfied that, barring exceptional circumstances, they will be able to compete in the racing and complete the navigation of the canal without assistance. See the Safety page for further details of requirements and our advice.

Accommodation & Catering

There are three main options for accommodation - B & B on one of the support boats, camping or hiring a private motor cruiser or yacht. We are happy to help arrange whichever suits. Evening meals will be provided at all overnight stops and breakfast and lunch can be provided if ordered in advance.

Finally to answer a common question, participants baggage and equipment is moved by us every day between stops and at the end of the week we transport you back to the start to fetch cars and trailers. See the Accommodation page for further details.

Registration and Entry

As with any event, the numbers participating will have to be limited and for Sail Caledonia we have set an upper limit of 30 boats for the racing legs with lower limits on the individual classes. Entry will be on a 'first come' basis although we do reserve the right to exclude boats at our discretion and without giving reasons. Further details and an on-line form are provided on the Registration page.

Entry to the Loch Ness Challenge will be at the discretion of the organisers and will depend on performance during the early part of the week.

Costs

The entry fees for 2008 are £240 per boat plus £160 per crew member. A supplementary fee of £45 is charged for camping to cover the costs of transporting equipment. Daily charge for boats not participating in the whole event is £30 This fee provides a contribution to the running costs of the event and includes for canal passage. In addition it includes for the social programme and evening meals on 6 nights. It does not however include accommodation which is charged separately. See the Notice of Race for full details.

Insurance

All boats will be required to have adequate third party liability insurance. The certificate of insurance must be produced at signing-in and failure to produce the certificate will result in a boat being prohibited from participating in the event.

Organisers

Sail Caledonia is being organised and promoted by the Great Glen Boating Club with the support of Highland Council, British Waterways, the Highlands of Scotland Tourist Board, Lochaber Enterprise and Inverness & Nairn Enterprise, together with the various community business initiatives and community councils.

Please explore the sailing programme, gallery and accomodation pages to get a feel for the event and please register your interest via the link below.