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Cullochy Lock is a lock forming part of the Caledonian Canal in Inverness-shire, Scotland. The lock was constructed as one of a series of hydraulic structures engineered by Thomas Telford to connect the Atlantic Ocean with the North Sea, reducing the need for vessels to navigate around Cape Wrath. The canal opened in 1822 and remains one of Scotland's most significant civil engineering achievements of the early nineteenth century. Cullochy Lock sits upon Neoproterozoic felsic igneous rock, typical of the ancient bedrock throughout the Great Glen.
The lock operates within the demanding hydrology of the Great Glen, managing water levels between successive sections of the canal and natural lochs. Its construction required precise masonry work and engineering to withstand the pressures of retained water and the mechanical stress of repeated lock operations. The structure demonstrates the technical sophistication of Telford's design, balancing the practical demands of navigation with the natural landscape of the Highlands.
Today the lock remains fully operational and continues its original function, serving recreational and commercial vessels traversing the canal. The monument is protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM5293, recognising its significance as part of a unified transport system that transformed Highland communications and commerce in the early modern period.
Caledonian Canal,Cullochy Lock is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM5293. View the official record →
Cullochy Lock is a lock forming part of the Caledonian Canal in Inverness-shire, Scotland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM5293.
Caledonian Canal,Cullochy Lock 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 SM5293.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Caledonian Canal,Loch Oich to Cullochy Lock (0.6 km), Caledonian Canal,Cullochy Lock to Kyltra Lock (1.6 km), Torr Dhuin,fort,Fort Augustus (2.9 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 14 strands of Caledonian Canal,Cullochy Lock'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,Cullochy Lock stands on Unnamed Igneous Intrusion, Neoproterozoic, bedrock that formed in the Neoproterozoic. The rock here is felsic-rock.