Information Sources for visitors
Maps: the Ordnance Survey is the UK’s national mapping agency. In most cases, OS maps give detail down to the low water mark only. The Landranger series (1:50,000) gives a detailed view, Road Map 1,2 or 3 (1:250,000) is useful for planning.Ordnance Survey website. OS maps can be bought in most bookshops and many petrol stations and tourist offices.
Charts: the UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO), often referred to as the "Admiralty" is the UK's national marine charting organisation. Charts are also produced by independent companies such as Imray. Charts show only major features above the high water mark. See the UKHO’s website, or you can purchase charts from most chandlers (you can search for chandlers in online directories such as www.yell.co.uk or www.thomsonlocal.com). Note that charts generally show tidal streams at only a handful of points - for more detail you need a pilot or tidal stream atlas (see below).
Tide times: available from the UK Hydrographic Office’s Easytide site at easytide.ukho.gov.uk. Tide times are free for the next 6 days, or you can pay for tide times further in the future. Printed booklets giving tide times for a full year are also available at low cost from most chandlers.
Tidal streams and potential hazards: UKHO Tidal Stream Atlas gives a good overview of tidal streams over a wide area: reproductions from this are also available in Nautical Almanacs, for example Reeds www.reedsalmanac.co.uk. For more detailed information, and detailed description of hazards to shipping, consult a pilot. These are published by UKHO, and there are also independent versions, for example the Clyde Cruising Club Sailing Directions www.clyde.org. Unfortunately, a great deal of the detail in the pilots focusses on larger vessels and is irrelevant to paddlers.
Accommodation see www.visitscotland.com.
Coastguard: the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (UKMCA) covers Scotland with 5 coastguard stations. It is a good idea to let them know you are in the area and what your plans are. They also rebroadcast the Met Office inshore weather forecasts and reports from coastal stations over VHF radio at regular intervals. See www.mcga.gov.uk.
Access: the main considerations are finding a road near the water and a suitable place to park which is not going to inconvenience others. Always allow time to do this. For more information about Access in Scotland see the Access Section of CanoeScotland.
Commerical trips: if you are having difficulty putting together a trip after examining the above references, or if you haven't the time, then consider one of the ever increasing number of excellent commercial organisations which will take the hassle out of your holiday and guide you on a trip tailored to your requirements. Don’t forget to tell them who referred you and send in your trip report!
Canals: if you are interested in touring on Scotland’s canals, www.scottishcanals.co.uk is a good source of information. The SCA has also published a Canoe Trail Guide to the Great Glen.