About
The Crossing has been established by British Waterways Scotland to create an event that celebrates the Caledonian Canal, its 200 year history, the heritage and culture of the area and the communities surrounding it.
Supported by Homecoming Scotland, The Crossing programme features interpretative themes in relation to the Canal and the Highlands, alongside Scotland’s contribution to contemporary innovation and engineering. This unique event has two strands The Flotilla and a series of shore based entertainment and water based activities.
The Caledonian Canal
Stretching from Fort William to Inverness, the Caledonian Canal is 60 miles long of which 22 miles are man-made to connect the 4 natural water lochs; Loch Lochy, Loch Oich, the famous Loch Ness and Loch Dochfour. The canal is, even by today’s standards, an amazing feat of engineering.
There are 29 locks, four aqueducts and 10 swing bridges in the course of the canal, all of which are operated by British Waterways’ staff. The quickest passage from sea to sea takes at least 14 hours over 2 to 2½ working days.
Highlights of the Caledonian Canal include Neptune's Staircase at Banavie, one of the most impressive single engineering feats. This staircase of eight locks raises vessels to a height of 21.32m (70ft) above sea level over a distance of approximately 420m (500 yards).
Another excellent place from which to observe the Caledonian Canal in operation is Fort Augustus, where a further flight of locks lowers vessels to the level of Loch Ness. Here you will also find the Caledonian Canal Visitor Centre, an excellent place to discover more about the history and operation of the canal.
The canal system comes to an end at Muirtown Basin on the coast of Inverness. This easily accessible location will host the finale day for The Crossing 2009.
A Brief History
The Great Glen divides the Highlands of Scotland with its series of lochs, and was therefore considered an ideal site for a canal from as early as 1726. A series of surveys were carried out throughout the Eighteenth Century, but it was not until 1802 that any action was taken on the proposals.The Caledonian Canal as we know it 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.
British Waterways Scotland
British Waterways Scotland manages the 137-miles (220km) canal network which includes the Caledonian, Crinan, Forth & Clyde, Union and Monkland canals. Responsibility for inland waterways in Scotland is a devolved matter. British Waterways Scotland receives grant funding from the Scottish Government to ensure that navigation channels remain open and in a safe and well-maintained condition. We balance the conservation of Scotland's heritage and environment with developing leisure, tourism and business opportunities to generate income to reinvest in the waterways for further sustainable regeneration.
In the last few years Scotland's inland waterways have undergone a physical transformation and taken on a new lease of life. Increasingly, we work in partnerships with local authorities, voluntary groups, private companies and other government agencies to develop a thriving leisure resource, for the people of and visitors to Scotland, to bring benefit to the communities through which they run.
The enormous potential for the waterways as an asset that can enhance the future quality of life in Scotland was recognised by the Scottish Government in its policy document, Scotland's Canals an asset for the future.
Today our canals offer far more than the provision of water spaces for boating. Scotland's canals are responding to wider agendas in leisure and tourism; health and community development; regeneration and economic opportunity; environment and sustainability.
The Crossing is a British Waterways Scotland concept delivered by UZ Events and kindly supported by British Waterways Scotland, Homecoming Scotland, EventScotland, The Highland Council, Scotland Food & Drink and le boat.
Contact
For further information about the Caledonian Canal, please contact:British Waterways Scotland
Seaport Marina, Muirtown Wharf
Inverness, IV3 5LE
T: 01463 725500 F: 01463 710942
www.scottishcanals.co.uk
