“The Great Glen Raids – which later became Sail Caledonia – were wonderful intense experiences. They seemed like a season’s worth of sailing crammed in to a week.” Iain Oughtred, boat designer (Water Craftmagazine no. 111).

The 2019 Raid was another great success with an eclectic selection of boats, while skippers and crews enjoyed fine passages and racing during the day with warm and friendly socialising each evening. The Results are now available and the Galleries page has photos from this year’s event. Don’t miss out next year, join the world’s longest running and best sail & oar raid – Sail Caledonia.

Well done to Jim Black, overall winner of Sail Caledonia 2019 in “Two Brothers”, a Drascombe Lugger.

“Sail Caledonia was again a most enjoyable event with great camaraderie between all boats, crews and support staff. Anyone who appreciates stimulating company, laughter, live music, good food, occasionally challenging sailing, interesting small boats and a memorable experience should come.” Matthew Peacock, 2015 winning skipper.

Sail Caledonia is the annual Scottish ‘Raid’ or expedition for boats powered by sail and/or oars which takes place in the Highlands of Scotland each May. Everyone who has taken part has acclaimed it a fantastic event and an experience not to be missed.

Using the Great Glen’s stunning and varied lochs and the 200 year old Caledonian Canal, a fleet of up to 25 boats sails, rows, races, explores and ceilidhs their way up the glen. Accompanied by safety boats, nothing beats sailing and rowing from the Atlantic at Fort William, through Fort Augustus and the mighty Loch Ness, to the finish in the Beauly Firth at Inverness, the Highland’s capital. Sea-to-sea via some of the world’s most stunning mountain scenery in the safety of an accompanied expedition for small boats.

Sail Caledonia is a friendly, open event for smaller (c. 5m – 9m) boats capable of completing the journey under sail and/or oar. Anyone can join providing their boat conforms in general terms to one of the classes and the safety regulations set out in the Notice of Race (available on Downloads page).

We are always looking to build on the success of previous years and attract sailing boats of many shapes and sizes. Please enjoy our web site and if you have any questions simply get in touch.

Festival of the Milford Haven Waterway

The event will again be based from Lawrenny and will be a week of guided and free sailing for traditional vessels with the usual entertainment, camping, bbqs and company from regulars and newcomers.

Registration will be published in due course on the website.

For further information Contact:-

Paula Holt
Tall Ships Wales Trust Coordinator
Mobile: 07766647240
Email: paula@seafairhaven.org.uk

The rally will be based at Glenridding Sailing & Activity Centre.  Skippers should let Matthew Peacock know (via the forum) if they intend going, but book directly with:

Glenridding Sailing & Activity Centre
The Spit
Glenridding
Penrith
Cumbria
CA11 0PE

t: 017684 82541
e: info@glenriddingsailingcentre.co.uk
w: http://www.glenriddingactivitycentre.co.uk

For camping see: http://www.ullswater.co.uk/camping.html#Watermillock

For Ullswater map and sailing guide see Ullswater Users Guide at http://ww.lakedistrict.gov.uk/visiting/?a=254047

For info and feedback on the previous June 2019 Ullswater event  please see: https://www.swallowyachtsassociation.org/smf/index.php/topic,1882.0.html

As usual, skippers will be solely responsible for their boats, crews, property and money.

For more details and registration please see the forum topic:    “ULLSWATER”  at https://www.swallowyachtsassociation.org/?page_id=1645

Weather dependent and date may change if weather is bad (F4+)

An informal meeting, open to anybody, including non-Swallow Boats.

Pay parking and boat launch fees (about £10) using machine near the toilet block.  Pay by card.

Bala is a large inland lake, shallow near the slipway and very deep elsewhere. Please watch out for wild swimmers and my small boat. Winds can be gusty and no rescue service is available. Participants are entirely responsible for their own safety.

Ullswater is a popular venue with attractive scenery, interesting but not too challenging sailing and good shore facilities.

Patterdale is a straightforward 15miles (30 mins) drive from J40 on the M6.

See the “Ullswater” blog on the Swallow Boats forum for general sailing advice and location details.

Local B&B’s and campsites to suit all tastes can be found on the internet.

A popular choice for Swallow boaters is Gillside Farm, Glenridding, Penrith CA11 0QQ
www.gillsidecaravanandcamping site.co.uk 017684 82346
Gillside Farm has pitches for tents and motor homes, is a short stumble from the Travellers Rest and and a slightly longer stumble down to Glenridding.

Glenridding Sailing Centre  is again providing parking, launching/recovery, changing rooms and a warm welcome for Friday to Monday, fees to be confirmed.  If you are attending then please let me know on this forum or messages and book yourself and boat directly with GSC at:

Glenridding Sailing & Activity Centre

Tel: 017684 82541
info@glenriddingsailingcentre.co.uk

www.glenriddingsailingcentre.co.u

Please note I’m happy to provide advice and assistance on the location and meeting arrangements but please see the terms on which I organise this event mentioned in the Ullswater blog and elsewhere on this forum.  Skippers are entirely responsible for the physical safety, money and property of their boats and crews.

Finally, Covid restrictions will be lifted before 11th July but the meeting dates and format may be changed if Covid regulations and safety precautions apply.

Matthew Peacock

There’s still some confusion on dates, with some internet sites saying 2022 and others 2023.

Europe’s toughest sali & oar raid through the Great Glen of Scotland, from Fort William to Inverness.

Already fully booked with several entries waitlisted.

Taking place after being rescheduled due to COVID-19 in 2020 and 2021.

Postponed twice due to the pandemic since the original date in 2020.

A fairly relaxed sail and oar event around the backwaters of Dorestad in the middle of the Netherlands.  No further details available yet.

The very popular and usually over-subscribed multi-day raid event based in Mylor Yacht Harbour with catering at the Castaways Restaurant.