THOUGHTS ON OUR NARROW BOAT EXPERIENCE

 REFLECTIONS ON OUR NARROW BOAT HOLIDAY:

This journey was well over a year in planning. 

 

 

Last year we were on a Hurtigruten trip sailing from Bergen to Svalbard. By chance there was a couple onboard with whom we had a mutual friend. We met and became fast friends. We joined our tables for the evening meal and had a great time. Our new friends told us we would love a narrow boat canal trip. Yes, they very much peaked our interest.

 

 

When we got home our research began. They had used Black Prince Holidays and that is where we first looked. Soon we were looking no further as it became very obvious Black Prince was the way to go, truly a first class operation.

 

 

As novices to the narrow boat life, we learned the Scottish Canal system of the Union Canal and the Clyde and Forth Canal would be the best for a first foray into narrow boating. This way we could visit Edinburgh and Glasgow on the same trip. That was the plan to start with and yes plans change.

 

 

Getting on Black Prince mailing list we were soon getting their offers. Then the offer of an early booking along with late season booking discounts became too good to resist.  A 10 day hire booking was made. 



Yes, I have had power boat experience and was an instructor for many a different water craft. Thanks to my Graduate Studies. That said, I knew I needed a bit of education into the handling of a narrow boat. 

Black Prince has several size boats. We chose a small 47’ boat in their signature series. Now they have added Royal Fleet (newer boats). They also have a series called Classic. 

 

The boat we were assigned was the Lyra. Basically a galley, dining area, head with a shower and a bedroom, perfect for two people. The dining area could be made into another bed. To be honest, 4 people on this boat would have been a bit crowded. 

I will intervene here to say how responsive Black Prince was to any questions we had in our preparation. I simply can not say enough good about them. Their reputation as the premier narrow boat provided is well earned. When we return, they will be our choice for sure.



 The Trip Book for this trip was about 2 inches thick, maps, mooring location, history etc etc . 

 

As our research deepened we felt 10 days would rush our boating experience. We then added 4 days to ensure our relaxing holiday and we are glad we did. Again, Black Prince made this happen with ease and extended our discounts to the amended booking. 

 



Our research included the study of maps to plan stops along our chosen route. Then there were a few books on Narrow Boating we procured and read a few times. One of the best resources was YouTube videos. There are many good ones out there along with some duds. These gave us a great feel for our chosen route. Our research was refined with many a google search on the places we would be passing and stopping. 

The overall experience was more than wonderful, excellent, magical, and more.


The Lyra performed well and we fell into a nice routine of blissful canal boating. 

The boats are self catering and we made many a stop at the local TESCO stores along the way. 

 

 



When hiring a narrow boat your will have a £25 fee for a rover pass. This allows you access to many very nice Scottish Canal facilities along the way. This being showers, laundry, toilets and water and pump out facilities.  While the shower in Lyra was nice, the others were nicer.

 

 

Simply narrow boating can best be described as RV camping on water. If you have RV Camping experience you will adjust rather quickly.

 

 

As I said our plan was to visit Edinburgh and Glasgow traveling on both the Union Canal and the Forth and Clyde Canal. A few weeks before our departure we learned there was low water in the Forth and Clyde and we would not make it to Glasgow. Then on arrival we learned of more issues on the Forth and Clyde. 

 

Simply, we did not make it to Glasgow and spent our two weeks on the Union Canal and that was perfect as we were not rushed at all. 

 



When you check in to pick up your boat you will receive a briefing on the operation of the boat. Stem to stern and all in between as well as your  daily operational checks. 

 

                              Cleaning the weed hatch 

 



This was a great and very memorable experience. The warmth of the Scottish people we met was most enjoyable. It was so easy to strike up a conversation and learn a bit about their lives. 



I am very sure we will be back on a canal boat in the future. Fitting it into our travel plans will be the issue as 2027 is fairly well filled.