Loch Lochy, Loch Oich, Loch Ness and Loch Dochfour provide much
of the route along the Great Glen between Fort William and
Inverness. Only relatively short artificial canals were required to
link them together, with water supply guaranteed!
Innovative Engineering
William Jessop and Thomas Telford head the list of engineers
involved in the impressive project. At more than 50 yards (46m)
long, its locks were huge by the standards of the time, with many
of them arranged in staircases of interconnected locks. The massive
eight-lock flight at Banavie, known as Neptune's Staircase, is
little short of breathtaking. The entire canal smacks of similar
engineering feats on a grand scale.
Over time and over budget
Wildly overshooting Telford's estimates for both time and
finances, the canal was partly finished in 1822, but it was a
further 25 years before final completion. By this time, the advent
of bigger steamships had diminished the canal's role, and it was
never a huge commercial success.
Local Caledonian history
But it's not just canal history that you'll encounter on a
journey along the Caledonian Canal. The Great Glen has been fought
over for centuries and is rich in history. Here are some of the
locations worth exploring:
Invergarry Castle
Situated on the shores of Loch Oich, this 17th century ruined
castle was once the stronghold of the Clan MacDonnell. It was
burned by Government troops after the battle of Culloden in 1746 in
retribution for the help given by McDonnell of Glengarry to Bonnie
Prince Charlie.
The Dark Mile
A great place to hide, this wooded glen leading to Loch Arkaig
is steeped in Jacobite legend after Prince Charlie escaped along
its 'dark mile' from the Battle of Culloden.
Urquhart Castle
The magnificently situated Urquhart Castle, on the banks of Loch
Ness, remains an impressive stronghold despite its ruinous state.
Once one of Scotland's largest castles, Urquhart's remains include
a tower house that commands splendid views of the famous loch and
Great Glen.