Caledonian Canal ceremony to mark Highland waterway's 'globally important legacy'
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AN ENGINEERING marvel in the Highlands which has left a "globally important" legacy in the development of transport is to be celebrated.
The Caledonian Canal is one of two Highland canals which this weekend will be awarded a National Transport Trust Heritage Plaque – or 'Red Wheel'.
The honours are awarded by the National Transport Trust, whose Transport Heritage programme "commemorates Britain's rich and globally important legacy in the development of transport". The most significant of these are marked with the erection of a Red Wheel.
The plaque will be unveiled at the Caledonian Canal Centre, Fort Augustus on Sunday at noon.
The canal, which celebrated its 200th anniversary last year, is widely recognised as one of Scotland’s engineering marvels. Constructed by celebrated engineer Thomas Telford, the canal opened up the Highlands to commerce and industry, contributed significantly to the growth of tourism and remains a key element in the region’s economic activity to this day.
Related: Walk back in time on Caledonian Canal in Inverness with High Life Highland
Its award will come just one day after the Crinan Canal also receives a Red Wheel.
The Crinan Canal, which has been dubbed Britain’s most beautiful shortcut, was built more than 200 years ago to provide safe navigation for commercial sailing and fishing vessels travelling between the industrialised west and to the Highland villages and islands. Its route removed the need for vessels to navigate round the Mull of Kintyre.
Its plaque will be unveiled on Saturday at 4pm at the Crinan basin.
Further information about the National Transport Trust can be found at www.nationaltransporttrust.org.uk.
