LATEST NEWS FROM GGCUA

SOMETHING "BIBLICAL" HAPPENING AT DOCHGARROCH!

An extraordinary natural event is currently taking place at Dochgarroch.

The lake adjacent to the towpath road, east side, is unleashing its brood of froglets and toadlets in tens of thousands. Large "clumps" of the wee creatures can be seen in the undergrowth along the side of the towpath road awaiting the cool night before dispersing. The lake has large dark areas where thousand upon thousand are awaiting their time to leave.

If you get the chance, come down now and take a look. But be careful, they're everywhere and easily get squished underfoot.

Do you have photographs of something wild going on in your part of the canal? Please feel free to share on this blog.

Not signed up yet? send an email to ggcua2003@yahoo.co.uk and we'll reply with your link. All you need is a google account and away you go. If you don't have a google account, our reply will prompt you on how to set one up, it's easy, it's free.

NEWS FROM GGCUA

BIODIVERSITY AT DOCHGARROCH.

GGCUA is co-ordinating a meeting to be held at 6pm on Saturday 3rd July 2010 at Dochgarroch East aboard the Dutch Barge "Geertruida".

As a result of recent communications with British Waterways, this meeting has been organised for local boat owners, residents and any other Association member who wishes to express their concerns, interests, views and opinions on the management of canal bank and canal side vegetation along the moorings at Dochgarroch.

British Waterways has expressed their interest in hearing your views prior to a revision of the 2011 plans for cutting of vegetation along the embankments.

Perhaps these photographs may offer a contrast of possibility.

For further information, or to air your views if you are unable to attend the meeting, please contact us via email, ggcua2003@yahoo.co.uk or by letter to GGCUA, c/o Dochgarroch Hall Cottage, Inverness IV3 8JG or by telephone on 07986282184.

We look forward to hearing from you.

NEWS FROM GGCUA

THE GREAT GLEN CANOE TRAIL.

Further to the blog of 21st May, we've been contacted by Rob Robinson, Trail Design Consultant for the Great Glen Canoe Trail and were able to discuss a couple of issues familiar to Association members at this time of year, speeding craft and overstretched facilities.

Speeding on the canal by powered craft is a matter of concern for canoeists, kayakers, rowers and berth holders at pontoons. As GGCUA raised this with British Waterways a short while back, it was good to reinforce the concern with Rob. I understand it is a matter he will raise again with BW.

No news yet on when the banner re. raising awareness of speed limits will be displayed across the lock gate walkway at Dochgarroch.

With regards to toilet and shower facilities, we understand that BW are looking to upgrade those facilities that are inadequate for their level of use, but this is constrained by funding and may be some time before realization.

Rob tells us that wild camping sites with eco-toilets will be created at certain sites along the trail for the use of canoeists/kayakers. He also reports that the current system of access to toilet/shower facilities by BW key is being discussed with the possibility of a change to coded press button access (codes being changed on a regulas basis). Again, it will be some time before this happens, if at all. This at least will foil those who sell BW keys on Ebay!

Will update you with further news shortly. In the meantime, if you want access to "GGCUA Team Blog", where you can post your own news, information, sales or wants, photographs etc., please send us an email to: ggcua2003@yahoo.co.uk - we will reply through email with your link. If you are already a team blogger, 'bout time you started blogging!!

Flora.

Further to David's post here are more examples of Springtime on the canal bank - Wood Anemones, Primroses and even the odd Bluebell appearing from the devastation wrought by B.W.'s expert wildlife demolition operatives!

SPRINGTIME AT DOCHGARROCH

Beautiful springtime on the banks of the Caledonian Canal at Dochgarroch. Everything growing so fast after a long hard winter. From long drifts of glorious bluebells to clumps of greater stitchwort and so much more to come.

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.