The crane arrives at GairlochyEarly morning on day 1. The 200 tonne crane arrives at a sunny Gairlochy accompanied by over 600 cyclists who also arrived at Gairlochy as part of the Maggie's Bike & Hike event!
Building up the canal bankThe canal bank needed to be raised to create a hardstanding for the crane to reach the right height to lift the lock gate out. An area of 20 x 11 metres was covered using 320 tonnes of crushed rock.
Swinging the walkwayLate morning on day 1. Slings and chains are fitted to the walkway along the top of the lock gate so the crane can move it out of the way.
Cutting the lock gateEarly afternoon on day 1. Bracket bolts are being cut off the lock gate to allow steel needles to be inserted and attached to the crane.
Crane begins to lift lock gateEarly afternoon on day 1. The crane begins to lift the largest gate (24 tonnes) on the Scottish Canal network out of the water.
Moving into positionEarly afternoon on day 1. The massive lock gate is moved into position on land. The area below the white line is usually hidden in the water!
Cleaning the gateLate afternoon on day 1. Cleaning the lock gate before making remedial repairs.
Recovery of pot and cupMorning on day 2. Divers go into the canal to retrieve the 'pot and cup' missing from the bottom of the heel post, and recover any other debris from the burst post.
A broken heel postMorning on day 2. Assessing the damage to the broken heel post.
Repaired heel postLate afternoon on day 2. Repaired heel post strengthened and reattached to the lock gate.
Swinging the gate backLate morning on day 3. The crane begins to swing the lock gate back round.
Lowering the gateLate morning on day 3. The team assist as the crane lowers the lock gate into position.
Back in placeEarly afternoon on day 3. The lock gates are back in place.
Walkway lifted on to gateMid-afternoon on day 3. The crane lifts the walkway back round whilst the team position it back in to place.
It's finished!Late afternoon on day 3. The lock gates are back in place and the canal is ready to reopen!
The teamWell done to all the guys who helped make the repair work run smoothly and quickly! Pictured here (from left to right): Ian Mclaren, Angus Kennedy, Ricky Cossar, Colin MacDonald and Alec Francis. Not pictured are Andrew Ross and Nigel Rix.