We’d been watching various weather forecasts ever optimistically hoping for half-decent conditions, but it was not to be!
Monster The Loch Saturday 19th September 2026 was typified by driving rain and wind causing the event to be curtailed to a 7-mile sprint from Fort Augustus out to a safety boat 3.5 miles away and then back into the wind.
Team ‘Bass Rock Bandits’ (Ann, Amanda, Duncan, Lynn & Dave) very briefly considered just rowing the 21 miles anyway, but it was obvious from reports and social media videos that the south westerly winds were funnelling down the loch and creating unsafe conditions. And there would be no safety boats past the turning point. Team SMACK (Saartje, Mary-Ann, Alison, Carmen & Kath) had also been training for months and were smiling through the disappointment but determined to enjoy the whole experience!!!!
We knew by midday Friday that the event would be truncated, so having arrived at Morag’s Lodge Loch Ness hostel in Fort Augustus (highly recommended), priorities moved to the crew competing in games of Uno in the bar over several rounds (cards and drinks). This proved to be the main competition of the weekend causing many disputes over rules, cheating and not paying attention (Dave). Meanwhile SMACK ate copious amounts of apple crumble and stayed in chalets above Drumnadrochit!
Earlier on Friday we had deposited the boats into the field bordering the loch where the event would start. The farmer had his tractor out towing all the boats down to the shore. The scene was starting to resemble a muddy music festival. Logistics proved to be challenging.
The race started at 10am Saturday with the usual mass start but Bass Rock Bandits didn’t hear the starting horn (was there one?) and after a false start (attention go!) we got underway after realising others had move off. SMACK heard the start and moved off well despite nearly whacking a kayaker with a heavy oar!
Having been told on Friday it was going to be 5 miles to the turning point it was a surprise that the turning boat appeared within 3.5 miles and after a quick cox change, Bass Rock Bandits were heading back into a strong wind and more heavy rain showers. SMACK also changed cox and likewise had to buckle down in order drive on to the finish.
The return leg was tough and thanks to Lynn’s positive encouraging coxing Bass Rock Bandits made it over the finish line shortly followed by SMACK.
On Saturday evening both NBRC crews had dinner at The Boathouse in Fort Augustus. Despite the changes in course everyone was wearing their new MTL 2026 T-shirts and some rather nice shiny medals were also on show.
For both NB crews rowing further and further during months of training was rewarding. Working out the logistics of seat swaps and when/what to eat/drink was fun. Getting to know each other better was a delight, mostly ;-).
It was ‘super’ wet, windy, frustrating , emotional – but more than that a ‘right laugh’ going away as a crew and rooming all together in the hostel and spending quality social time in the bar (Bass Rock Bandits ‘tut tut’).
More ‘Type 2’ fun anybody?……Anybody?
More photos and videos on Flickr as usual here https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjD5Dyt