Holidays in Historic Canalside Properties

British Waterways is working with the Vivat Trust, a registered charity and national building preservation trust, to restore a number of incredibly important canalside heritage properties.

Central to this project is to attract third party funding to facilitate a sensitive restoration of key historic buildings then bringing them back into productive use as high quality holiday accomodation. This approach secures the long term future of the structures and importantly by retaining them in public ownership anyone can get to enjoy the special qualities of theses buildings and their relationship with the Canal.

  • Bona Lighthouse

    Bona Lighthouse was once the UK's smallest, manned, inland lighthouse. It was converted from a stable block to a lighthouse during the first major improvements to the canal and has hosted every revolution in lighting technology, before being replaced by a modern marker light.

  • Telford House, Gairlochy

    Telford House, Gairlochy was constructed during 1815-20 as part of the operation of the canal. Initially used by Telford and His supervisors during the costruction of the canal, it was then put to use as canal lock keepers accommodation.

  • Dunolly House, Clachnaharry

    Dunolly House in Clachnaharry, served a similar purpose as the Telford Houses in the role of lock keeper cottages. What is unique with Dunolly House is that it is a completely different architectural style. Dunolly House is an elegant Georgian House located at the original termination of the Caledonian Canal. It has excelent views over the Beauly Firth and is well located for Inverness.

  • Tomnahurich Bridge House

    Located within walking distance of Inverness this quaint lock keepers cottage has the benefit of offering a city break but without the city living.

  • Mingulay & Vatersay Cottages, Kytra Locks

    Mingulay and Vatersay Cottages are classic lock keepers cottages located outside the popular highland holiday destination of Ft. Augustus. Accessed along the canal tow path these properties have all the benefits of a secluded location but Ft Augustus is just a short cycle ride away.

  • Laggan Bridge House

    Laggan Bridge House is located adjacent to the main tourist route across the Great Glen at Laggan. Situated at the confluence of the Caledonian Canal on the banks of loch Oich.

  • Telford House (East), Banavie

    Telford House East is a converted canal lock keepers house situated half way up the flight of locks known as Neptune's Staircase in the village of Banavie, Ft. William.

  • The Vivat Trust

    The Vivat Trust was established in 1981 as a registered charity and a national building preservation trust. The trust was the first to be granted permission by the Charity Commissioners to aquire properties on a leasehold basis, as opposed to securing freeholds. This has enabled the Trust to restore important properties cannot grant a freehold.

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