Description

The monument comprises that stretch of inland waterway known as the Caledonian Canal running north-east from the north (or top) end of the flight of locks at Banavie (otherwise known as Neptune's Staircase) to the swing bridge at Moy.

The area proposed to be scheduled includes all the canal in water and the strip of ground extending up to 20m from the water on either side and containing the towpaths and embankments and any associated capstans, bollards, mooring hooks, mile posts, weirs and overflows. The scheduled area includes the following structures:

[1] aqueduct at Upper Banavie;

[2] aqueduct at Torcastle;

[3] aqueduct north of Muirshearlich;

[4] aqueduct at Loy Bridge;

but excludes all modern moorings, pontoons, slipways, walls and fences, power cables, lampposts and other street furniture. The scheduled area is marked in red on the accompanying map extract.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance as being a major component of the Caledonian Canal, built between 1803 and 1822. The canal was designed by the famous Scottish civil engineer Thomas Telford and financed directly by the Government. At the opening ceremony it was described as 'one of the most stupendous undertakings of that nature which Europe had seen'; it certainly was then, and remains today, the single largest construction work in the Highlands.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

References:

Cameron, A. D. (1994) The Caledonian Canal.

Lindsay, J. (1968) The Canals of Scotland.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland