Guide book published for Scotland’s first canoe trail

An essential resource for anyone planning to paddle the Great Glen - Scotland's first formal canoe trail – will be published on Saturday 22 October 2011.

“Great Glen Canoe Trail” by Donald Macpherson, is the latest publication from Pesda Press and is supported by The Highland Council, British Waterways Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage, Forestry Commission Scotland and the European Regional Development Fund.

Retailing at £12.99 from www.pesdapress.com and local bookshops.the 96-page paperback with colour maps and photos is a complete guide for people planning a journey through the Great Glen. It covers rough with the smooth of a journey including the challenging open waters of Loch Lochy and Loch Ness and the calm waters of the Caledonian Canal.

The book provides advice on how to deal with the local conditions as well as food, equipment, safety, communication and rescue. Macpherson advises that the best craft for the adventure are open canoes, sea kayaks or touring kayaks. He includes advice on choosing the right craft, loading it, and the best ways of carrying it over portages*.

Chairman of The Highland Council’s Planning, Environment and Development Committee Councillor Ian Ross, welcomed the new publication: “Canoe and kayaking tourism is a rapidly growing leisure past-time which has an emerging and beneficial impact on the local economy. The timing is right for the publication of the Great Glen Canoe Trail as we are seeing more and more demand for the level of information, local knowledge and expertise provided in the book. I trust that everyone who paddles all or part of the Great Glen Way will find this resource helpful and informative.”

The coast to coast route can normally be completed in three to five days. The book splits the route into a five day expedition and each day is described in detail, including camping and other forms of accommodation. There are also numerous single day options and, for the more advanced paddlers, suggested routes that link stretches of river with lochs and canal sections.

Born and brought up in Inverness, author Donald Macpherson has regularly travelled the Great Glen by boat, by boot and by bike. He said: “Being offered the opportunity to develop and promote what I now refer to as ‘my back garden’ has been a fantastic opportunity because I was already established in the local outdoor industry with my own paddlesport business and as a freelance instructor for Glenmore Lodge and other local activity providers.”

Macpherson was appointed as Project Officer for the Great Glen Canoe Trail in January 2010. The two year post has included everything from negotiating with local landowners and passing on key information to the canal’s lock keepers as well as supervising contractors’ work. This project was made possible through a European Union contribution of more than £270,000 from the European Regional Development Fund.

He said: “It has been a non-stop experience and although my two years have passed very quickly I have made many friends and hopefully left a long-lasting legacy for all paddlers when they visit the Great Glen.  I do hope that my work and knowledge of the Great Glen, as demonstrated in this guidebook and online at www.greatglencanoetrail.info  will help people plan a safe journey through the Great Glen. It has been a privilege to promote the Scottish Highlands as a fantastic paddling destination during this project.”

Russell Thomson, Highlands Waterway Manager, confirmed: “We’re delighted that the launch of the Great Glen Canoe Trail guide book will further promote both the creation of Scotland’s first formal Canoe Trail and a major investment in the Highlands’ tourism infrastructure.”

Chris Wright, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), South Highland operations officer, said: “We are delighted to have been involved in the successful publication of this guide, which will be invaluable for paddlers and canoeists alike to enjoy the Great Glen.  We were pleased to be able to use a grant of £71,000 towards this project to help encourage people to use the trail and its improved facilities.

“It is clear that such a high quality guidebook will help us and our partners achieve this aim and the information and advice contained is sure to help enthusiasts get the very most out of their adventures along the Great Glen canoe trail.”

Jack Mackay, for the Forestry Commission's Inverness Ross and Skye team said: "As partners in the canoe trial project it's great to see this guide come to fruition. It will really help to promote the canoe trail and will encourage lots of people to rise to the challenge.

"The canoe trail complements the two long distance walking routes already situated here and is fantastic addition to the many opportunities here to enjoy active, responsible and healthy outdoor recreation."

Notes to editors:

*Portages – are areas of land where paddlers can carry their canoes/kayaks to avoid obstacles or get from one body of water to another to continue their journey.

Title:  Great Glen Canoe Trail
Author: Donald MacPherson
ISBN:  978-1-906095-31-4
Cordee Code: CTK621
Imprint: Pesda Press
Proposed Price: £12.99
Publication Date: 22/10/2011
Classification: WSSN5
Format: paperback; 96 pages; 240x170; colour maps and photos.

For further information please contact: