A boating event organised by the French company Albacore, who in previous years have held similar events on the River Douro in Portugal.

In the past I had cruised the River Thames from Lechlade to the sea in my 15 foot dory [see 157/25]. A further adventure across Scotland appealed to me, so I sent for details and made arrangements to join the other participants starting at Corpach near Fort William, during the first week in June.

The intention was to cross Scotland from the Atlantic Ocean to the North Sea by the Caledonian Canal and the Great Lochs, in traditional craft measuring 15 to 27 feet in length. On the Friday and Saturday boat and crews arrived from various destinations in Europe — Denmark, Germany, Italy, Holland, France, Spain, Portugal — together with the English and Scottish boats, 34 craft in total, with over 100 people including families with young crew.

Boats that DCA members may be interested in ranged from a Drascombe Dabber, two Luggers, Falmouth Bass Boat, Swift Explorer, 16ft Kittiwake, two 17ft Whammel Boats, Hamble Star, Orkney Yole, Ness Yawl and in the larger class a National 18 conversion with a small cabin, a Eur Mara Yawl and a Montague Whaler. From France there were three types of dories and a two masted French Lugger. There was also a Suffolk Beach Punt from Holland and many other interesting and varied craft.

On the Sunday morning a race or cruise in company had been arranged on Loch Linnhe. The boats having a taste of salt water of the Atlantic Ocean from Corpach across the loch to the Lochaber Yacht Club who had invited all the participants to a huge midday barbecue.

Monday the fleet of boats negotiated 8 flights of locks known as Neptune’s Staircase, into the first part of the Caledonian Canal. The first leg of the canal being narrow was a rowing race, the boats being sent off in pairs at two minutes intervals, for the six miles to Gairlochy. After passing through the locks the boats were moored at a small marina with floating pontoons. The second day was a sail along Loch Lochy, a nine mile course with a rendezvous at midday with Fingal, a large steel charter barge, that does holiday trips through the Great Glen. Hot soup and jacket potatoes were available, which was much appreciated as there had been one or two showers of Scotch Mist during the morning sail. Again pontoon moorings were available at the West Highland Sailing Centre.

The following day Wednesday was another rowing section through Laggan Avenue, one and a half miles into Loch Oich, the summit level at 106 feet above sea level. The 4 miles of loch Oich enabled the boats to set sails with a following wind into another canal section leading to Fort Augustus. A flight of 5 locks lead down this time into Loch Ness. Thursday was to be the Loch Ness challenge 22 miles in length. The wind, light at first, faded to a calm, much rowing was needed to arrive at Foyers the half way mark for a midday lunch break.

The afternoon breeze set in, fortunately from astern and set the boats off on a wild sail to Tor Point just north of Dores. Friday became a leisurely cruise in company to Muirtown Basin at Inverness. Saturday the final lap from the sea lock into the Beauly Firth and the North Sea; then a 10 mile sailing race under the Kessock Bridge along the Moray Firth to Fort George, to be met by a detachment of young soldiers who waded into the sea and manhandled the boats up the stony beach. Cars and trailer had been previously been collected from the starting point at Corpach.

It had been a successful Raid, even though exhausting at times — well supported by the Scottish and Highlands Tourist Board and associated companies, together with the back-up team from Albacore.