History of the Caledonian Canal
The Caledonian Canal runs from Fort William to Inverness in the Scottish Highlands. A third of its length is man-made, while the rest is made up of four natural Scottish lochs. These are: Loch Dochfour, Loch Ness, Loch Oich, and Loch Lochy, which lie in the Great Glen. The canal first opened in 1822, after 12 years in the making. Built by the renowned engineer Thomas Telford, it featured 29 locks, 4 aqueducts and 10 bridges.
For many years, the canal was an important trade route, allowing people and goods to move more quickly and safely across Scotland. It became a particularly important shipping route during the First World War, as vessels tried to avoid enemy detection. In 1995, the Caledonian Canal closed for major restoration works, re-opening 10 years later. Today, it is a popular tourist destination. It attracts thousands of visitors who come to take in its beauty, walk and cycle its towpaths, and cruise its waterways.
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