Events

May
23
Sat
2020
Sail Caledonia 2020 – Cancelled due to Covid-19 @ Fort William to Inverness
May 23 – May 30 all-day

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.

Jun
29
Mon
2020
Swallow Raid 2020 Cancelled due to Covid-19 @ Mylor Yacht Harbour
Jun 29 – Jul 3 all-day
Aug
27
Thu
2020
Lake Bala Mid-Wales, Postponed to Thursday 27th August 2020 @ Lake Bala
Aug 27 all-day

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.

 

 

May
15
Sun
2022
Semaine du Golfe @ Golfe du Morbihan, Brittany
May 15 – May 21 all-day

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

May
28
Sat
2022
Sail Caledonia 2022 @ Great Glen, Scotland
May 28 – Jun 4 all-day

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

Already fully booked with several entries waitlisted.

 

Jun
18
Sat
2022
Sea Haven 2022, Milford Haven @ Llanion Cove Activity Centre
Jun 18 – Jun 25 all-day
Jul
11
Mon
2022
Swallow Yachts Raid @ Mylor Yacht Harbour, Cornwall
Jul 11 – Jul 15 all-day

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

Aug
9
Tue
2022
Raid England 2022 @ Bradwell Marina, Essex
Aug 9 – Aug 13 all-day

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

Sep
8
Thu
2022
Dorestad Raid, Netherlands
Sep 8 – Sep 11 all-day

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

Sep
10
Sat
2022
SY Raid: Cobnor @ Cobnor
Sep 10 – Sep 14 all-day
Jul
10
Mon
2023
SY Raid Mylor @ Mylor near Falmouth
Jul 10 – Jul 14 all-day

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

Aug
19
Mon
2024
Raid England @ Mountbatten Centre, Plymouth
Aug 19 – Aug 23 all-day

 

Sep
11
Wed
2024
Dorestad Raid @ Netherlands
Sep 11 – Sep 15 all-day