Walk back in time on Caledonian Canal in Inverness with High Life Highland
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People are being invited to take a walk back in time along the banks of the Caledonian Canal in Inverness later this week.
The canal is marking its 200th anniversary this year and High Life Highland (HLH) is hosting a trek along the towpath looking back at the history of the waterway.
The Caledonian Canal opened on October 23, 1822 after being developed by renowned engineer and road-builder Thomas Telford.
HLH libraries and countryside rangers have joined forces to lead the outing on Friday, in partnership with Merkinch Local Nature Reserve.
Inverness library team member Andrew Lucas said: “This is an incredibly important time for the Caledonian Canal as it celebrates its 200th year.
“High Life Highland’s library service has created a display about the canal and its history in the main section of Inverness Library alongside another display about Thomas Telford, the engineer who built the canal.
“The event is free, and visitors will also be able to see a scale model of a section of the canal from the Muirton Locks to the Sea Lock at Clachnaharry, all built (with a little help) by children attending the library during the summer holidays – and which is now complete.”
John Orr, HLH’s area countryside ranger, said: “It is great to see such a massively collaborative event taking place to commemorate the building of the Caledonian Canal.
“In addition to the displays and books available on the topic through HLH’s library service, the team has worked to create two guided accessible walks along sections of the canal.
“The walks take place on Friday at 11am and 2pm, both meeting at Muirton Basin. The walks will take just over an hour, and walkers are advised to dress accordingly for the weather.
“We are really looking forward to welcoming people to join us and have a walk back in time to learn about the history of the Caledonian Canal whilst enjoying incredible views across the Beauly Firth.”
