Five day celebration on the Caledonian Canal begins

17 June 2009

An international flotilla of historic and modern craft were given a rapturous send off on Tuesday 16 June as they set sail from Neptune's Staircase, on a five day journey along the Caledonian Canal as part of The Crossing; British Waterways Scotland's contribution to Homecoming 2009.

Peter Lederer, chairman of VisitScotland, sounded the official start for the diverse group of characterful boats, which echo the types of craft that could have been seen on the Caledonian Canal when it was first built almost 200 years ago.

Mr Lederer and Steve Dunlop, director of British Waterways Scotland, were joined by Dr Michael Foxley, leader of the administration, councillor Bill Clark of the Highland Council, David Oxley, head of operations for HIE Lochaber, and schoolchildren from Banavie Primary School. Members of the public also came along to enjoy the shore-side entertainment building up to the official send off.

The flotilla included historic ex-RNLI life boats; Canadian Pacific and Grace Ritchie, the only replica of an oar powered Highland Galley; Galley Aileach, and old trading boats and striking yachts. They will travel the 60 miles from Neptune’s Staircase in Banavie to journey’s end at Muirtown Basin, Inverness, between Tuesday 16 and Saturday 20 June.

The flotilla, along with a series of complementary shore-side and waterborne events for the public along the way, together celebrate the cultural and historic importance of the canal to the Highlands. The magnificent Urquhart Castle on Loch Ness will also be a stunning and dramatic setting for the flotilla as it stops awhile on Friday 19.

Steve Dunlop said: “British Waterways Scotland fully supports Homecoming Scotland 2009 and we are delighted today to see our participants, who have travelled from far and wide in a rich variety of stunning craft, set off on a unique journey along this wonderfully scenic and culturally and economically important canal. I’m sure The Crossing will be truly memorable both for them and communities and visitors along the way. Indeed, I am delighted that The Crossing has really fired the imaginations of the communities at Banavie, Fort Augustus and Inverness, where our public events take place, and they are supporting this unique event with their own shore-side and waterborne activities.”

Ends

Notes to editors:

British Waterways Scotland

Responsibility for inland waterways in Scotland is a devolved matter, with funding for British Waterways' Scottish activities coming from the Scottish Government. In Scotland the 137-mile (220km) canal network includes the Caledonian, Crinan, Forth & Clyde, Union and Monkland canals. British Waterways Scotland works in partnerships with local authorities, voluntary groups, private companies and other government agencies to protect and enhance the waterways and benefit the communities through which they run.

The organisation balances the conservation of the country’s heritage and environment with developing commercial opportunities to generate income to reinvest in the waterways for further sustainable regeneration. Millions of people enjoy Scotland’s inland waters for recreational activity, sports and leisure. Safety is British Waterway’s top priority. Water safety advice and information on the safe use of Scotland’s canals – both on water and waterside – can be found on our websites.

Waterscape.com provides information on all of Britain’s waterways, and guides visitors through the complete waterside experience in an easy to use, fully comprehensive online resource.

Homecoming Scotland 2009

1. Homecoming Scotland 2009 aims to engage Scots at home as well as motivate people of Scottish descent and those who simply love Scotland, to take part in an inspirational celebration of our culture, heritage and some of the many great contributions Scotland has given to the world.
2. 2009 marks the 250th anniversary of the birth of Scotland's national poet, Robert Burns, with the programme's design guided by Scotland's unique position as the home of Burns himself, Golf, Whisky, Great Minds and Innovations, and Scotland’s culture and heritage which lives on at home and through Scotland’s global family.
3. The budget for Homecoming is £5.5 million and the target is for an 8 to 1 return on investment i.e. £44 million revenue additionally.
4. Homecoming Scotland is funded by the Scottish Government and is managed by EventScotland the national events agency in partnership with VisitScotland, the country’s national tourism agency. Homecoming is part financed by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund.
5. For more information on Homecoming Scotland please visit: www.homecomingscotland2009.com

EventScotland is the national events agency working to make Scotland one of the world’s leading event destinations. By developing an exciting portfolio of sporting and cultural events EventScotland is helping to raise Scotland’s international profile and boost the economy by attracting more visitors. For further information about EventScotland, its funding programmes and latest event news visit www.eventscotland.org

Event Programme

Fort Augustus - Thursday 18 June
12noon-6pm.

The next stop for the flotilla will be Fort Augustus on Thursday 18th. As well as traditional storytelling, the street theatre of Big Rory, Ochie and The Seagulls and the Caledonian Canal Ceilidh Trail, the public will get the chance to meet ‘The Telford Twins’. All that and free Canadian Canoe sessions on the water and two fringe events: a Classic Whisky Tasting Tour of Scotland (at The Lovat Arms) and An Evening of Ceilidh Dance (at Fort Augustus Village Hall). For further information on tickets for the fringe events, visit www.thecrossing2009.com

Urquhart Castle, Loch Ness - Friday 19 June
12noon – 2pm

A spectacular time to visit the Castle and see the flotilla against this magnificent, historic setting with the lilting sounds of the Caledonian Canal Ceilidh Trail adding to the experience. (Please note, entry charge applies.)

Muirtown Basin, Inverness - Saturday 20 June
12noon – 4pm

A vibrant mix of land and water-based fun marks the finale of The Crossing as the flotilla reaches journey’s end. The start and end of proceedings will be marked by the landing of an Aviat Huskie amphibious seaplane. There’s also a chance to see the impressive Tall Ship, The TS Royalist.

Exhibitors at the Food and Drink Produce Fair, sponsored by Scotland Food & Drink, will include Orkney Isles Preserves; Real Food; The Isle of Skye Baking Company; Wester Lawrenceton Farm; Berry Good (Scottish vodka with Scottish fruit); Bouvrage (all natural berry juice); Macleod Organics and Cairngorm Brewery.

In addition to the Produce Fair, George McIvor, a fellow and former Chairman of the Master Chefs of Great Britain, will be inspiring visitors with a programme of chef demonstrations.

Waterborne activity will include free taster sessions courtesy of the Inverness Sea Scouts, Seagull Trust Cruises and the RYA Scotland ‘Sailing in the City’ initiative for 8-14 year olds. The Sea Scouts and Sea Cadets will also take part in a friendly boat race and there will be a water polo competition by Inverness Canoe Club.

Or, if you fancy ‘walking on water’, get ready, steady in British Waterways Scotland’s thrilling Waterwalkerz inflatable spheres. (Height and age restrictions apply.)

Then there’s The Telford Twins, Caledonian Canal Ceilidh Trail, Gutty Slippers, storytelling and much more.

Evening: The Midsummer Ceilidh (7:30pm, The Crossing Marquee, Muirtown Basin)

The Sensational Jimi Shandrix Experience has established a reputation as one of the top ceilidh bands in the world: playing for high energy dances from Bangkok to Bogotá, Melbourne to Moscow.

The flotilla

Het Leven - 1912 Dutch Sailing Tjalk
Grace Ritchie - 70ft ex-RNLI Clyde Class Lifeboat
Swan – 67ft Fife Fishing Smack
Galley Aileach – 40ft Open Clinker
Silver Lynx - Scottish 33ft Yacht
Echo - 30ft Bavaria Cruiser
Able 2 Sail - 46ft Bavaria Yacht
Varen - 41.6ft Yacht
Blue Moon - Hardy pilot 20 boat
Milvina - 47ft Aluminium Centreboard Cutter
Kirkjuvagr - Jeanneau Prestige 42
Progeny - Motor cruiser (1988)
Mystique Of Malahide - Jeanneau Sun Fizz 38ft sailing cruiser
Le Boat also joins the Flotilla with two boats that give an example of the type of boats
available for hire for magical boating holidays. www.leboat.co.uk
Canadian Pacific - ex RNLI Lifeboat