Self drive narrow boat barge, has anyone done this?

Where is Ed when you need him?!

Just what I was going to say, Rebecca!

Ed, come back! We need you here!

Hi Norma!

Well, in Ed's absence, you'll have to make do with me. I've not done the tours, but I did know enough about Scotland to know where to look. There are two areas of Scotland with canals that I know about. One is near Glasgow and and the central belt. It has the Lanark Wheel as a cool attraction. The other is up north and is the Caledonian Canal. That was the one that I first thought of. I am not sure about renting the narrow boats, but clearly holidays happen on the canals.

I will say when I think of boating in Scotland, I think about a sail boat cruise in the Western Isles on a boat like this one. :) If you've got three weeks, I would also definitely rent a car. There are wonderful places that you can really only get to by car. Let me know more about you interests and I'll be glad to help.

Pam

not a lot of narrow boats in Scotland and the areas used are pretty limited.
http://www.hoseasons.co.uk/boat-holidays/canals-and-rivers/scotland-lochs-canals?gclid=CLbAp9j6wsUCFQXLtAodWysAtA
this company might be able to offer you something.
many years ago we did a family holiday on a narrow boat in the heart of England canal system,but that was nearly 40 years ago,England does have a much wider choice for this sort of activity that Scotland. again the Hoseason's link will give you info.

As Unclegus says if it is specifically a narrow boat holiday you want, you are better off looking south of the border, specifically the English Midlands, where the canal network is better for this kind of holiday. The big canal in Scotland, the Caledonian Canal up the Great Glen, does have pleasure craft using this but not the narrow boat kind.

JudyH here, hoping for the same Scotish narrowboat experience. It looks as though the Lowlands offers the more variety but not the Wheel. Has anyone done canals/waterways here? There will be 2 of us so some walking, car rental, train could be included to expand our area. Suggestions?

The thing with the canals is the terrain of Scotland generally counted against it. We really only have one canal of that type, the Forth and Clyde which is linked with the Wheel.

If you want to go on a canal holiday in the UK, realistically you are looking at our neighbours to the south.

We rented a motor boat (i.e. NOT a narrow boat) on Caledonian Canal (http://www.leboat.co.uk/holidays/destinations/scotland/cruises/the-grand-highland-fling-cruise) 6 years ago (and one on Shannon 3 years ago).

As you know if you tried it, it is a wonderful relaxing way to spend a week, but you will be limited to the Canal area. We thoroughly enjoyed the Nessie Museum and Fort Augustus.

If you are in Scotland 3 weeks, then 1 week spent on the canal, will be a relaxing vacation-in-vacation.

Happy trails.

Thank you all for your input. We may spend 1 week in Wales on a narrow boat (or perhaps forget it all together) then 2 weeks in Scotland. Still deciding, we have more than a year before we go......

Hi Sue,

We're in Scotland now, just starting our month-long trip. We have rented a narrow boat and will start that portion of our trip on Saturday. We'll report back and let you know what we think.

Courtenay