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Caledonian Canal, Banavie to Moy Bridge is a section of the major waterway that connects the Atlantic Ocean to the North Sea across the Scottish Highlands. Completed in 1822, this 60-mile canal links Loch Dich, Loch Oich and Loch Ness with coastal waters, enabling ships to avoid the hazardous voyage around Cape Wrath. The Banavie to Moy Bridge stretch lies in Argyllshire and follows the line of the Great Glen, a natural geological feature formed along a major fault zone where mylonitic rocks and fault-breccia underlie the landscape. This fault-controlled valley provided the most practical route for the canal's construction.
The canal was designed by Thomas Telford and represents an outstanding feat of early 19th-century civil engineering. This particular section incorporates locks, aqueducts and embankments adapted to the challenging terrain of the Highlands. The underlying fault geology presented both challenges and opportunities, as the fractured bedrock influenced the canal's alignment and construction methods.
The monument is protected by Historic Environment Scotland and remains a working waterway. Today it serves recreational and heritage purposes, preserving one of Scotland's most significant engineering achievements whilst maintaining its practical function as a navigable route.
Caledonian Canal,Banavie to Moy Bridge is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM6492. View the official record →
Caledonian Canal, Banavie to Moy Bridge is a section of the major waterway that connects the Atlantic Ocean to the North Sea across the Scottish Highlands. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM6492.
Caledonian Canal,Banavie to Moy Bridge is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Historic Environment Scotland — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in Scotland. The official designation reference is SM6492.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Tor Castle (1.4 km), Caledonian Canal,Neptune's Staircase,canal locks,Banavie (3.6 km), Caledonian Canal,Moy Swing Bridge (3.7 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 14 strands of Caledonian Canal,Banavie to Moy Bridge's history, each drawn from the record and mapped to the exact spot:
Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.
Caledonian Canal,Banavie to Moy Bridge stands on Fault Zone Rocks, Unassigned, bedrock that formed in the Age unknown. The rock here is mylonitic-rock and fault-breccia.