Saturday, May 22, 2010

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!



Friday, May 21, 2010

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.


Thursday, May 13, 2010

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.