Opened in 1822, the Caledonian Canal stretches approximately 60 miles along the Great Glen Fault line from Corpach Basin to Muirtown Basin in Inverness.
The canal consists of a series of man made sections, measuring 22 miles in total, connecting Loch Lochy, Loch Oich, Loch Ness and Loch Dochfour.
The canal was originally planned to provide a safer and more direct route for shipping, avoiding the Pentland Firth and around Cape Wrath. Thomas Telford, famous Scottish architect, canal and bridge builder, was commissioned to design and build the canal in 1803 with the help of fellow civil engineer William Jessop. The construction, which provided muchneeded employment for the area following the Highland Clearances, was completed after 19 years at a cost of £910,00 and the canal was opened in 1822.