NEWS FROM GGCUA

THE GREAT GLEN CANOE TRAIL.

A Project in the making over the last two years, now nearing completion, follows the success of the current three recreational routes through the Great Glen, those being by boat, bicycle and by foot.

Over recent years the route has become increasingly popular for canoeists and kayakers and the Great Glen Canoe Trail is now formalising this use including the provision of suitable information and facilities along the way.

The Project is led by British Waterways in association with its partners; Forrestry Commission Scotland, The Great Glen Way/Highland Council, the Scottish Canoe Association, Scottish Natural Heritage and various local activity providers.

We have recently had contact from Project Officer, Donald MacPherson, who has provided us with information about the Trail and by Trail Design Consultant, Rob Robertson, who has asked for input from GGCUA regarding any issues that may arise for Association members in respect of the proposed plans, eg: safety concerns, general improvements to the Trail and new facilities etc.

There will be some discussion with Rob next week and we will report back to you afterwards.

In the meantime, if you would like further information and/or wish to make any comment, please get in touch.

NEWS FROM GGCUA

We have received a reply from Russell Thompson, Highland Waterways Manager, in response to matters raised at the last Association meeting. The following covers Russell's reply:

Bridge Opening Times - Russell reports that there have been no major issues for road users since new bridge opening times came into effect in Inverness and he is glad that the new protocol is not having too detrimental an effect. He thanks us for our support at the public meetings in highlighting the needs of boat users.

Power Bollards - Access to RCD switches on pontoon electricity bollards is restricted to BW staff instructed in their use and is a British Waterways National Standard. Russell appreciates that this is not ideal for the boat owner and he will revisit this matter. In the meantime, he asks that anyone wanting to connect/disconnect from a bollard contacts a BW staff member for assistance.

Speeding Craft - Russell has asked Mike Lofts to contact The Jacobite Queen and Caley Cruisers (no mention of West Highland Sailing). He has also asked him to talk with the Sea Scouts after complaints of evening use of powered craft close to pontoons at Muirtown Basin.

Russell has also asked colleagues to design banners for the lock gate walkways at Dochgarroch as a summer trial to raise awareness of the problem of speeding. He would welcome our views on its effectiveness.

If you have any views on the above matters, or on any other matter that you would like to voice, please get in touch with us via letter, phone or email. You can, of course, post your own blog on this site. If you haven't signed up to the GGCUA Team Blog yet (Association members only), just send us an email. We'll reply with a link and it's as easy as that.

More GGCUA news coming soon.

How about this then?




Ian.

YIPPEE! IT WORKS!

Thank you to Ian, our first "Team Blogger".

We hope many more of you will sign up in the near future. If you haven't received the latest GGCUA mailout about open access for members to this blog site, please get in touch and we'll provide you with all the information you need.

Thought I'd try uploading a photograph to see if that works too. Seems to. This is a stoat clearing out a brown rat's nest from canalside undergrowth opposite my boat at Dochgarroch about 18 months ago. Watched him/her for about twenty minutes (lots of photos) as five rats were disposed off.

Anyone else got wildlife photos from The Caledonian Canal?

Looking forward to your posts.

From David Bird
For GGCUA.

Hi Everybody!

If I can get here, anyone can so let's be hearing from you!

Ian Chatham.

Latest News from GGCUA

Thank you to all who attended the recent Association meeting.

The matters arising of: new bridge opening times, health and safety at electricity bollards and speeding craft on the canal have been forwarded to British Waterways for comment which we will feedback to you once received.

It has been decided to offer the Association membership "open access" to this blog site in order that you can post your own blogs. These can be anything from boat stuff wanted, or for sale, sharing waterways experiences, passing on relevant information etc., etc. All that we ask is that your blogs are lawful and that you do not change the structure of the site itself.

The new password and instructions on how to post a blog will be sent to you shortly.

It was also decided to put together a GGCUA boat gathering later on in the summer. We will get back to you re. dates and venue etc. shortly. We will also look at putting on a boat jumble which has proven popular in the past.

Last but not least, we would like to welcome Sue Boyland onboard the Association committee as Secretary. Thank you to Sue. For the time being, both David Bird and Paul Homer will continue in their roles as Chair and Treasurer respectively.

In the meantime, we wish you all a great start to the new boating season and look forward to your company in the near future.

Annual General Meeting 2010

Dear Members of the Great Glen Canal Users Association,
By now you should have received your invitation to this year's Annual General Meeting which will be held on Saturday 10th April at 18:00 to be held at the conference room (above the shower facilities), Caley Marina (refreshments available). Further information can be obtained from David Bird on 0798 6282184.
We look forward to seeing on the day.
Also, membership fees will become due at the end of March and can be renewed either at the AGM or by post. Your continued support is greatly appreciated.