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Caledonian Canal
60 miles of Scottish Highland splendour amid outstanding unspoilt scenery best describes the Caledonian Canal.
Slicing through the Great Glen, this majestic canal is considered by many as one of the greatest waterways of the world. Four natural lochs – Loch Lochy, Loch Oich, the famous Loch Ness and Loch Dochfour – all lie in near perfect alignment between Fort William and Inverness making up 38 of the 60 mile coast to coast channel. The remaining 22 miles being man-made canal linking these four lochs together.
Widely considered a masterpiece of canal engineering, the Caledonian is on a scale incomparable with almost anything else in Britain. It has survived in part due to its continuing importance in the Highland economy, and partly because it is quite simply spectacular, not to mention the amazing wildlife – including the Loch Ness Monster!
Watch the Great Glen Ways video to see how you can enjoy the Caledonian Canal and the Great Glen by boat, boot or bike.
Download our Skippers' Guide.
Caledonian Canal Ceilidh Trail
Welcome to the Caledonian Canal Ceilidh Trail. We invite you to join in the celebration through music, song and dance presented by a team of talented musicians.
Kicking off with the Grand Opening Ceilidh at Urquhart Castle on Monday 12th July, the Ceilidh Trail will be visiting a variety of venues in and around the Caledonian Canal over the following 4 weeks, from Inverness down to Neptune's Staircase in Fort William. From informal sessions beside the canal locks to evening ceilidh dances, full details can be found by downloading the Caledonian Canal Ceilidh Trail 2010 Programme.
Tickets for the Grand Opening Ceilidh are available now from the Caledonian Canal Office, Seaport Marina, Inverness; Urquhart Castle Visitor Centre, Drumnadrochit; Highland Council Service Point, Drumnadrochit; Caledonian Canal Visitor Centre, Fort Augustus or pay at the door!
CD on sale now £8 *special offer CD & Caledonian Canal Guide only £10* Available from British Waterways Scotland on 01463 725500, The Caledonian Canal Visitor Centre in Fort Augustus, Corpach and Clachnaharry Sea Locks, and the Ceilidh Trail on tour.
Check out the Grand Opening Ceilidh video for a taste of the music!
The Crossing
Register now to reserve your space in the flotilla and be part of a once in a lifetime experience!
Celebrate the stunning Caledonian Canal as part of a unique flotilla of boats travelling from West to East accompanied by an exciting programme of entertainment, both on and off the water.
Spaces are limited so register your interest for the 2011 flotilla now.
Email amy.gentles@britishwaterways.co.uk or call +44 (0)1463 725562 to register now.
Swing Bridge Operating Protocol
Download our Swing Bridge Operating Protocols.
Photograph Competition 2010
We have launched our competition for 2010 with a great selection of prizes on offer. For full details click here.
