Scheduled MonumentsScotlandCrinan Canal,Crinan to Cairnbaan
Crinan to cairnbaan

Crinan Canal,Crinan to Cairnbaan

Scotland
HES SM6500
Site type
Crinan to cairnbaan
Nation
Scotland
Boundary

Scheduled area

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Overview

History & significance

Crinan Canal is a navigable waterway constructed in the early nineteenth century to connect Crinan on the Argyll coast with Cairnbaan on the River Add, thereby providing a short cut for vessels between the Atlantic and the Firth of Clyde. Completed in 1801, the canal was engineered by John Rennie and measures approximately nine miles in length, incorporating a series of locks to manage the considerable difference in water level between its terminals. The canal served as a vital commercial route for fishing vessels and merchant ships, avoiding the lengthy and hazardous passage around the Mull of Kintyre, and remains one of Scotland's most important inland waterways. Today the canal retains much of its original structure, including its lock system and stone-built basins, and continues to function as a navigable waterway for both leisure and commercial traffic.

Crinan Canal,Crinan to Cairnbaan is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM6500. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Crinan Canal,Crinan to Cairnbaan?

Crinan Canal is a navigable waterway constructed in the early nineteenth century to connect Crinan on the Argyll coast with Cairnbaan on the River Add, thereby providing a short cut for vessels between the Atlantic and the Firth of Clyde. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM6500.

Who is responsible for protecting Crinan Canal,Crinan to Cairnbaan?

Crinan Canal,Crinan to Cairnbaan 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 SM6500.

What other scheduled monuments are near Crinan Canal,Crinan to Cairnbaan?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Gartnagreanoch, chambered cairn, Knapdale (2.6 km), Loch Coille-Bharr, enclosure 220m NW of, Knapdale (2.7 km), Kilmory Oib Township, cross slab and holy well, W of Loch Coille-Bharr (3.2 km).

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