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The Caledonian Canal

The majestic Caledonian Canal is 60 miles (96.6 km) in length of which 22 miles (35.4 km) is man-made. Stretching from Inverness to Banavie it is one of the great waterways of the world, offering visitors spectacular scenery, amazing wildlife and the world famous Scots hospitality. The Great Glen divides the Highlands of Scotland with its series of lochs, and was therefore considered an ideal site for a canal.

The Caledonian Canal shares many characteristics with the Gõte Canal in Sweden and Canada’s Rideau Canal. Consequently both are twinn, ed with the Caledonian Canal.

The Caledonian Canal was designed by Thomas Telford, the greatest of Scotland’s civil engineers. Funded by the British Government and constructed between 1803 and 1822, it was the first state-funded transport undertaking in British history, and remains under public ownership to this day.

Though initially intended to provide a safe transport route for naval frigates during the Napoleonic wars, the Caledonian Canal did not serve a military function until the First World War. Nonetheless, the Canal has played a significant role in the development of the Highland economy, fostering trade between East and West, as well as with Germany, Holland and the Scandinavian countries.

Major use is now leisure and yachtsmen use the canal as a safe winter berth as well as safe scenic passage from west to east.

A restoration programme, instigated in the mid 1990s, is nearing completion having achieved its aim of stabilising the many lock structures along the length of the canal. Many of the techniques and specialist products used in this process were specially created by us, for use on the Caledonian Canal.  Chase The Wild Goose Hostel at Banavie is a great place to stay if you are on a budget.

Stay at Chase the Wild Goose Hostel at Banavie near Fort William Scotland for comfortable, friendly backpackers accommodation

Stay at Chase the Wild Goose Hostel near the Caledonian Canal, Ben Nevis and Fort William Scotland. Comfortable, friendly and affordable backpackers accommodation Scotland