Having used The Forth and Clyde
canal a number of times before it closed 40 years ago, I was keen to renew
acquaintance with this waterway. All the talk on the pontoons was negative- it was shallow, nowhere to moor, assaults by yobs
at Maryhill, etc. etc. Well it was time to find out, so in July
02 my wife and I set out in our 24ft.6 Cornish crabber, draft 3ft3, for
a passage to the Clyde
and back.
It was a wonderful experience. I had forgotten just how beautiful the
canal is. Only a short section at each end is industrial, and it is here
that most of the locks are concentrated, so you don’t have much time for scenery anyway. The middle section,
about 25 miles, is completely rural, with only 4 locks, and is a great mini
cruise in its own right.
There are huge improvements from the old days. The canal is clean,
and the grass along the towpath neatly cut. There are pontoons in a number
of positions for overnight or lunchtime stops, and above all, at the moment,
the locks are entirely operated by British Waterways
staff, making the trip much less strenuous. We found the staff, without
exception, cheerful, helpful and competent. Nothing is too much trouble.
Showers and toilets are provided at several locations.
Two days are enough for the passage, but much better to take three,
and have a more relaxing trip. Phone the lock keeper at Grangemouth
(tel. 07810 794 468 ) for advice on timing
the trip up the Carron river, and to arrange your
passage. There is a mast lifting derrick in the Carron river, and another at Bowling
basin. Full details of the canal, charges etc. can be obtained from the
headquarters at Falkirk
(tel 01324 671217).
It cost us just £27.50 for a passage, and half price for the
return! This is a discounted rate to encourage usage, so go soon before
the price goes up.
Compared to the old days, there are two main disadvantages. It is now
necessary to de- rig to get under bridges, all of which used to open. The
maximum clearance is 9ft.10. More seriously the draft is limited to about
5ft., although we were told one 5ft.6 yacht had passed through. Hopefully
this depth can be improved in future. (It was once 9ft.).
Of course there is also the Clyde.
A cruise in these beautiful waters makes all the hard work in getting there
all worth while. There are several excellent marinas,and
pontoon berthing in places like Rothesay and Tarbert.
Finally you must’nt use the canal without
taking a trip up the Falkirk Wheel. This is a fantastic experience, and
the staff welcome private boats. Again the draft
is about 5ft. Not to be missed.
Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed the trip, and will certainly do it again.
Perhaps next time we will re enact a cruise from the old days, and do all
three canals, returning down the East coast.
John Watson
