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Corpach Locks and Basin is a major engineering work on the Caledonian Canal in Argyllshire, Scotland. The locks and basin form the sea-level terminus of the canal system, managing the transition between freshwater and tidal waters. The structure sits upon psammite bedrock of the Loch Eil Group, formed during the Neoproterozoic, which provides a stable foundation for this substantial masonry construction.
The locks represent an important phase of early nineteenth-century Scottish civil engineering, designed to facilitate maritime transport between the Atlantic and the North Sea whilst avoiding the long passage around the north coast. The basin creates a secure inland harbour where vessels can moor before entering the lock system. The site's position at Corpach, overlooking Loch Eil, exploits natural geography whilst contending with significant tidal variations typical of the Scottish west coast.
The monument is protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM5297, recognising its importance as a scheduled ancient monument. The locks and basin remain functionally significant to modern canal traffic, with their physical fabric and operational characteristics preserving evidence of their original design and construction principles from their period of development.
Caledonian Canal,Corpach Locks and Basin is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM5297. View the official record →
Corpach Locks and Basin is a major engineering work on the Caledonian Canal in Argyllshire, Scotland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM5297.
Caledonian Canal,Corpach Locks and Basin 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 SM5297.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Caledonian Canal,Corpach to Banavie (1.1 km), Caledonian Canal,Neptune's Staircase,canal locks,Banavie (1.8 km), Fort William, fort (2.4 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 14 strands of Caledonian Canal,Corpach Locks and Basin'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,Corpach Locks and Basin stands on Loch Eil Group, bedrock that formed in the Neoproterozoic. The rock here is psammite.