The Corpach Shipwreck: A guide to the Old Boat of Caol

In a little over a decade, the sliver of rocky beach that stretches along the small, unassuming town of Caol has become one of Scotland’s most photographed locations. The secret to its success? A photogenic shipwreck that suddenly appeared after a violent storm on a wild December night.

Also known as the Old Boat of Caol, the Corpach Shipwreck is stranded on a quiet stretch corner of the shores of Loch Linnhe. Fort William, the famous Highlands town, is within walking distance of the wreck, whilst Ben Nevis – the UK’s tallest mountain – provides a spectacular backdrop.

From the history of the boat to the best photo spots, here is our guide to the Corpach Shipwreck.

The Corpach Shipwreck: A history

It didn’t take long for the Corpach Shipwreck to attract plenty of rumour and speculation. Where did the boat come from? Who does the ship belong to? And how did such a colossal vessel end up shipwrecked on the rocky shores of Loch Linnhe?

The history of the Corpach Shipwreck stretches back over 40 years. In 1975, the boat began life as a fishing vessel called the MV Dayspring, trawling the waters around the UK and beyond.

Eventually, the ship’s name was changed to Golden Harvest. It continued as a working vessel until the turn of the millennium, when it was effectively retired from working life.

A Czech carpenter, Lukas Pomahač, bought the ailing trawler in the last 2000s with the intention of transforming it into a houseboat. After a painstaking restoration, the boat was transported to nearby Camusnagaul Bay, where it remained moored until a dramatic turn of events in late 2011.

On 8 December 2011, a ferocious storm hit the area. When Corpach residents emerged the next day, they were shocked to find Pomahač’s boat stranded high up the pebble beach. The vessel had broken free of its moorings and, monitored closely by the local Coastguard, had drifted across to the beach at Corpach.

Locals worked quickly to secure the stricken boat. However, despite the efforts, little could be done to refloat it. The MV Dayspring has stood at the same spot, slowly deteriorating, ever since.

It didn’t take long for the Corpach Shipwreck to become an attraction in its own right.

A unique tourist attraction: why the Old Boat of Caol draws the crowds

The wreck has rapidly become one of the most visited spots in the Fort William area. As of April 2023, there are well over 1000 posts on Instagram tagged with the hashtag “Corpach Shipwreck”. When you consider the boat’s location and mysterious story, it is little wonder it attracts so much attention:

• The Corpach Shipwreck is easily accessible by rail, bus, road and foot. Fort William, just a five-minute drive away, is a classic stop on the Highlands tourist trail. A short detour from the popular A82 road takes you straight to the Old Boat of Caol.
  
• Whilst Fort William has plenty of brilliant things to do, a visit to the Corpach Shipwreck offers the opportunity to experience something a little bit different. If museums, distilleries and mountains aren’t your thing, visiting the wreck provides a unique activity to enjoy.
  
• The main reason to visit the Corpach Shipwreck is simple – it is brilliantly photogenic. No matter the weather, the sombre sight of the rusting wreck allows for atmospheric images that capture the imagination. With Ben Nevis providing a show-stopping backdrop, it is little wonder the boat is a favourite among photographers and Instagrammers alike.

Where to find the Corpach Shipwreck?

Whether you are staying in Fort William, Banavie or elsewhere, the Corpach Shipwreck is within touching distance. The boat lies solemnly on the rocky shores of Loch Linnhe near the villages of Corpach and Caol. There is easy access to the wreck from the nearby canal path and roads.

The map below pinpoints the exact location of the Corpach Shipwreck:

Meanwhile, the WhatThreeWords location for the Old Boat of Caol is: subplot.isolating.cookers.

How to get to the Corpach Shipwreck

We have visited the wreck twice since 2020. Our first visit was part of a Scotland road trip, which saw us stay in the tiny village of Banavie just outside Fort William. The second trip was a car-free weekend to Loch Linnhe, with accommodation a short walk away from the wreck.

On both occasions, we found it just as easy to reach the shipwreck by public transport as it was to drive. Here are a few of the best options to visit:

1. Walk to the Corpach Shipwreck from Fort William
   To walk to the Corpach Shipwreck from Fort William, follow the start of the Great Glen Way. Head north out of Fort William, passing the ruins of Inverlochy Castle before turning left down the B8006. Eventually, you can turn down to the shore path and enjoy a gentle stroll along the water before reaching the beach and the shipwreck. For a Google Maps route of the walk from Fort William to the Corpach Shipwreck, click here.
   
2. Get the bus to the Corpach Shipwreck
   The nearest bus stop to the Corpach Shipwreck is at Kilmallie Hall. The bus stop is served by several routes, including the N47 from Fort William and the 500 from Fort William to Mallaig. It is easy to wander from here to the wreck – simply follow the signs to Corpach train station before cutting down to the shore. Click here for the walking route from the bus stop.
   
3. Get the train to the Corpach Shipwreck
   The nearest train station to the Corpach Shipwreck is Corpach. Standing at the entrance to the Caledonian Canal, the train station is just a seven-minute walk from the wreck. Click here for the walking route to the Corpach Shipwreck from the train station.

The best photo spots for the Corpach Shipwreck

1. Up close
   It is possible to walk straight up to the wreck and take some interesting shots. With peeling paintwork, rusting chains and the occasional dusting of graffiti, there is no shortage of interesting subjects. Note: do not attempt to board the boat itself.
   
2. The nearby stream
   For an interesting foreground, position yourself next to the small river that flows into the icy waters of Loch Linnhe. Choose your composition wisely, and you can easily get the stream, the shipwreck and Ben Nevis in one image. Long-exposure shots work particularly well here.
   
3. The picnic area next to the Corpach Canal Locks
   To isolate the Old Boat of Caol against the towering summit of Ben Nevis, head to the small patch of grass next to the locks at the entrance to the Caledonian Canal. From here, you have a clear view of the wreck and Scotland’s tallest mountain beyond.

Three other fantastic things to see near the Old Boat of Caol

1. Neptune’s Staircase
   A stone’s throw from the Corpach Shipwreck, Neptune’s Staircase is a seriously impressive feat of engineering. Flanked by sloping paths on both sides, Scotland’s longest staircase lock marks the gateway to the Caledonian Canal, which stretches from the shores of Loch Linnhe to Scotland’s east coast at Inverness. Construction on the locks began in 1803 and lasted for nearly 20 years. Today, it takes boats 90 minutes to navigate the eight locks at Neptune’s Staircase.
   
2. Treasures of the Earth museum
   Perfect for families looking for a rainy-day activity near Fort William, the Treasures of the Earth museum is just a ten-minute walk from the Corpach Shipwreck. Boasting “one of Europe’s largest collections of crystals, gemstones and fossils”, the family-run museum offers a gleaming insight into the wonders of geology.
   
3. Ben Nevis Distillery
   In the shadow of Britain’s highest mountain, the Ben Nevis Distillery is one of Scotland’s oldest whisky-making institutions. With a history stretching back to 1825, the modern visitor centre offers tours, tastings and a well-stocked gift shop.

Whether you are staying in Fort William for several days or simply passing through the area, the Corpach Shipwreck makes for an enticing stop. Nobody can say for sure how long the boat will stay stranded on the shore. In the absence of any human intervention, perhaps Mother Nature will intervene with another raging storm. Only time will tell – enjoy the shipwreck whilst it lasts.