Overview of Caledonian Canal

Linking Loch Lochy, Loch Oich and Loch Ness, the Caledonian Canal forms a waterway through the Great Glen that provides a safer and shorter route to the north of Scotland than navigating coastal route via The Minch and Pentland Firth.

Built by the engineer Thomas Telford (1757 - 1834), it was opened in October 1822. Between Fort William and the Canal's northern terminus at Clachnaharry just west of Inverness, there are 29 locks, the most famous being a flight of eight at Banavie, known as Neptune's Staircase. Reconstructed in the 1840s, the canal's locks were mechanised in the 1960s. The total length of the canal, which comprises 38 miles (61 km) of natural lochs and 22 miles (35 km) of canal cuttings is 60 miles (96 km). The summit level at Loch Oich is 32m (106 feet).