Welcome to West Highland Cruising and Sailing located on the Caledonian Canal. Boat rental with West Highland Cruising and Sailing is a great way to explore everything there is to enjoy on the Caledonian Canal, located in Spean Bridge. On this page you will find information about the boats available for hire at West Highland Cruising and Sailing as well as photo galleries, reviews and secure online booking facilities.
Situated at a midway point on the Caledonian Canal between Loch Lochy and Loch Oich this base is ideally placed to offer a choice of cruising directions. Cruise from Laggan to Loch Oich, then on through a staircase of 5 locks in the pretty village of Fort Augustus and on to Drumnadrochit where you can moor below the unmistakable Urquhart Castle on the banks of Loch Ness. Alternatively, cruise down Loch Lochy to Gairlochy, under the shadow of Ben Nevis, and on through the Caledonian Canal to Neptunes Staircase – the longest staircase lock in the UK, comprising of eight locks.
West Highland Cruising and Sailing offers the following facilities on board to help make your holiday on the Caledonian Canal as relaxing as possible:
240v inverter Warm air heating Galley including cooker, fridge and kettle CD Radio Hairdryer Bed linen, duvets and one bath and hand towel per person Rowing dinghies available at extra charge by prior arrangement Extra persons Car parking
The following boats at West Highland Cruising and Sailing are available for hire. You can view details, photos, reviews and specifications below.
Attractive cruiser with dual steering. 10.36m x 3.66m (34ft x 12ft). 2 shower/WCs, 1 ensuite. Sliding door to access side deck. Dual steering from saloon and upper sundeck. 3 double, 2 double and 2 single or 1 double and 4 single.
Spacious rear sun deck with seating. 9.00m x 3.20m (29ft x 10ft 6in). Large rear deck with seating. Rear well access for easy boarding. Raised steering position with opening roof. 1 double and 1 single.
Modern six berth cruiser with dual steering and sundeck. 9.45m x 3.51m (31ft x 11ft 6in). 2 shower/WCs, 1 ensuite. Picture windows in saloon. Dual steering from saloon and upper sundeck. 3 double or 2 double and 2 single.
Compact classic style cruiser, ideal for couples or smaller families. 9.30m x 3.35m (30ft 6in x 11ft). Patio doors to large rear deck. 1 double and 2 single.
Compact, comfortable cruiser, ideal for couples or smaller families. 8.25m x 3.10m (27ft x 10ft 2in). Aft deck ideal for fishing. Sliding doors to rear deck with seating. Rear well access for easy boarding. Raised centre steering position for good visibility. 2 double or 1 double and 2 single.
The most popular yacht in the fleet, suitable for all levels of sailing experience. 8.53m x 3.05m (28ft x 10ft) Headroom 1.83m (6ft). Shower/WCEngine: Nanni diesel. Galley including double burner, grill, oven and fridge. Chart table opposite galley. Spacious cockpit and unobstructed deck areas. Recessed boarding platform incorporated into the transom. 240v system (from shore power). 2 double and 2 single or 1 double and 4 single.
A classic design for this comfortable and spacious cruiser. 12.80m x 4.10m (41ft 11in x 13ft 5in). Dual steering postion from saloon and upper deck. 3 double and 2 single.
Offering family value and comfort, with patio doors to the rear deck ideal for sunbathing or fishing. 11.28m x 3.66m (37ft x 12ft). 2 shower/WCs, 1 ensuite. Aft well ideal for fishing and sunbathing. Picture windows in saloon. Patio doors to large rear deck. 3 double or 2 double and 2 single.
The ideal cruising yacht for all classes of sailor. 9.30m x 3.20m (30ft 6in x 10ft 6in) Headroom 1.83m (6ft). Rig: Masthead Bermudan, roller reefing headsail, slab reefing mainsail. Fin keel.Engine: Yanmar diesel.This boat does not have a fridge but provides a coolbox and ice packs on request.Cold water only. Galley including double burner and grill. Fan heater from shore power. Mainsheet mounted on the cabin top leaves cockpit clear. Large cockpit and wide side decks. 1 double and 3 single.
Looking for reviews of West Highland Cruising and Sailing? The following displays a selection of West Highland Cruising and Sailing reviews and have been sourced from Google reviews.
Rated 
by Tom Kurvits on 6th June 2018
Our group of 10 had an excellent experience hiring 2 boats here for a long weekend. All the staff were extremely helpful, friendly and professional, they even sorted out a grumpy loch keeper for us. We had a fantastic time going up and down the Caledonia canal, and our instructor even told us the best pubs to visit! Looking forward to going back.
Rated 
by david innes on 22nd August 2019
Wonderful location , friendly staff but some of the smaller boats should be retired. ( As one of the staff said.. we agreed) Boat not clean... Pans had dried food, internal vents had years of grime, only one windshield wiper, demisting was a shower wiper. Toilet smelled of human waste when we got boat... late Saturday and for entire voyage. Multiple holes in roof where several bodged repairs to roof handle ensured a shower for the captain every rainy day. Newer larger boats look much better. The boat we had, Cygnet was again to quote the staff, the worst to get in and out of... Reserve the right to reject on inspection.
Rated by Scott Tomkinson on 11th October 2020
Great place to hire a boat for holiday on the loche and canals. Had a week on a boat weather not great but could not fault the boat. The staff were great and very helpful.
Rated by Alwyn Tolson on 10th February 2024
We hired an older boat from the WHS as was. I was disappointed that since le boat took over the WHS operation they got rid of the sail boats, just motor boats now I'm afraid. Also I wasn't charged for diesel this time but charged for engine hours, expensive as it turned out. After hiring two of their yatchs, & two of their motor cruises over the years I thought it such a shame that the the yatchs were no longer available hence the poor review, although I do wish WHS the best of luck for the future.
Rated 
by Jujufer on 10th September 2018
We hired a boat for a week and had the briefing from knowledgable staff before setting off. We had a wonderful time cruising up and down the whole length of the Caledonian canal and came back full of intentions to do it again next year and encourage others to do the same.Unfortunately our experience and impression of West Highland sailing was marred right at the end. Our boat was refuelled and one of our party was chatting with the guy as he did it, trying to see who would get closest guess on the amount the tank would take. We refuelled 110 litres (confirmed by the young lad doing the job) and were charged for 120 at £1.33 per litre - which is a difference of over £13 added to the already grossly inflated price for the red diesel! When we challenged the cost we were met with apathy and disinterest. The usual customer service had vanished and the woman at reception offered no opportunity to recheck the reading or accept that there could be a mistake. The £13 is not the issue here but the principle is. There are 37 boats for hire so do the maths if this occurs with all of them.Shame in you west highland sailing. You just needlessly lost at least one more customer!
* Prices may be subject to change. To confirm final price, proceed to full details & booking.
