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Columbia Encyclopedia entry: Caledonian Canal
Caledonian Canal, waterway, c.60 mi (100 km) long, cutting across Highland, N Scotland, from Moray Firth to Loch Linnhe by way of the Great Glen. It was built in two phases (1803–22 and 1843–47; opened 1822) to save shallow-draft vessels the circuitous route around N Scotland. Of the waterway, 38 mi (61 km) consists of the natural waters of Lochs Ness, Oich, and Lochy. The canal has 29 locks and is used primarily for fishing and leisure boating.

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Wikipedia search results for: Caledonian Canal
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Caledonian Canal in Scotland connects the Scottish east coast at Inverness with the west coast at Corpach near Fort William. The canal runs some from northeast to southwest. Only one third of the entire length is man-made, the rest being formed by Loch Dochfour, Loch Ness, Loch Oich, and Loch Lochy. These lochs are part of the Great Glen, a geological fault in the Earth's crust. There are 29 locks, four aqueducts and 10 bridges in the course of the canal. The canal was conceived as a way of providing much-needed employment to the Highland region. The area was depressed as a result of the Highland Clearances, which had deprived many of their...more »
Columbia Encyclopedia search results: Caledonian Canal
Results 1 - 4  of 4
  • Ness, Loch

    Ness, Loch, lake, 22 mi (35 km) long, Highland, N central Scotland, in the Great Glen. More than 700 ft (213 m) deep and ice free, it is fed by the Oich and other streams and drained by the Ne...

  • Inverness, town, Scotland

    Inverness, town (1991 pop. 39,736), Highland, N Scotland, on the Moray Firth at the mouth of the Ness River. Capital of the Highlands, it is a seaport and transportation center due to its prox...

  • Great Glen

    Great Glen or Glen More, valley, 60 mi (97 km) long, Highland, N central Scotland, extending from Moray Firth SW to Loch Linnhe. It was formed by a fault in the earth's surface. Loch Ness, Loc...

  • Telford, Thomas

    Telford, Thomas, 1757–1834, Scottish civil engineer. He greatly improved road building in England and Scotland. He introduced the use of a base of large stones surfaced with compacted layers o...

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