Visitors to Neptune’s Staircase on the Caledonian Canal will soon be able to enjoy a new way of descending the iconic lock flight thanks to plans to create an innovative visitor experience at the site.
Ahead of the Scottish Government’s Year of Young People in 2018, Scottish Canals has revealed a proposal for the installation of a 40-metre slide on the banks of Britain’s longest staircase lock flight. The new experience, titled ‘Neptune’s Slide’, will allow visitors to glide from near the top of the flight to the bottom, enjoying a spot of ‘gongoozling’ en route.
Dr Olaf Pirol, Head of New Experiences at Scottish Canals, said: “Scotland’s young people are tomorrow’s canal custodians and it’s important that we engage with them today. During a recent design workshop, local schoolchildren floated the idea of a slide on the banks of the canal. We already encourage people to explore the Caledonian Canal by boot, boat and bike – so why not slipping and sliding in the shadow of Ben Nevis?
The new slide, which is expected to be in place by June 31st 2018, will not affect navigation of the lock flight.
“We hope that this new attraction will give a 21st century twist to this amazing feat of 19th century engineering and encourage young people, and the young-at-heart, to experience Thomas Telford’s masterpiece from a new perspective.”