You may make an initial boat journey from your start point to reach another point on the coast, or cross, but not travel along, large bodies of water such as Loch Ness and Loch Linnhe. Popular crossings (which may need to be pre-booked, are listed below. Other crossings (commercial ferries or private hire) are possible but please check the route is acceptable with the coordinators before making firm bookings. please note some of these services are seasonal and timetables for May might not be available until early Spring.
1. Mallaig to Inverie – Western Isle Cruises (01687 462 233) have supported the Challenge for decades and offer regular sailings and lay on a larger boat for busy Challenge crossings.
2. Dalelia to Polloch – Crossings of Loch Shiel can be arranged with Izzy Buchan and John Macaulay. Email dalilea@outlook.com or 01967 431 253.
3. Camasnagaul to Fort William – Highland Ferries This ferry does not run on Sundays but private hire is sometimes possible.
4. Corran Ferry – Sailings every 20–30 mins across Loch Linnhe from around 6:30 am (8:30 Sun) to 9:20pm – no need to book.
5. Oban to Lismore – Calmac (0800 066 5000). You will also need the Argyll and Bute Council (01546 605 522) service from the north end of Lismore to Appin.
6. Tarbert (Loch Fyne) to Portavadie – Calmac (0800 066 5000). This can be used to access Portavadie prior to the Challenge.
7. Tarbet (Loch Lomond) to Inversnaid and Rowardenan – Cruise Loch Lomond (01301 702356) offer waterbus services across Loch Lomond. The Rowardenan ferry only runs at weekends. Please note there is no longer a ferry service from Inveruglas.
8. Drumnadrochit to Foyers Pier – Following the sad death of Gordon Menzies, who used to look after all our challengers crossing Loch Ness, we have now made new arrangements for those crossing Loch Ness this year.
Malcolm Stewart of Beastie Boats will ferry challengers from Urquhart Harbour (NH526299) to Foyers Pier (NH500214). Malcolm will run crossings morning crossings at 8:30am and evening crossings at 5:15pm over the relevant four or five days of the challenge.
Book your crossing by filling in the box on the route sheet. The Coordinator will pass names and contact details to Malcolm in April and will circulate instructions on how to confirm and pay for your crossing prior to the Challenge.