Telford's Tales on the Caledonian Canal

To celebrate the achievement of a mammoth feat of engineering, The Highland Council’s Planning and Development Service Rangers and British Waterways Scotland are holding a living history family event during Highland Archaeology Fortnight.

"Telford’s Tales", is a guided walk that allows participants to meet characters re-enacting engineer Thomas Telford, William Jessop and some of the people who worked on the grand designs of the Caledonian Canal.

Clelland McCallum, Great Glen Way Ranger Service said: "The Highlands of Scotland has a rich industrial archaeological past. The Caledonian Canal is one of the most important historic sites in Scotland running through the heart of the Highlands and is still in use today.

"The Canal was the first public funded transport scheme and was built to boost the economy of the Highlands, at a time when the British Government was scared that the Highlands of Scotland would side with the French during the Napoleonic War.

"Thomas Telford was the greatest engineer of his day and built many of the structures that now taken for granted, from roads and railways to the Caledonian Canal which was the first form of public transport and took nearly 20 years to build when works began in 1803. We are hoping to get across to people the brilliant story the Canal still has to tell"

Ailsa Andrews, British Waterways Scotland said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for family members, young and old, to visit the Caledonian Canal and step back in time.”

The event will be held on Friday 13th October at 2.00 - 3.30pm, meeting at Banavie, Fort William. To book a place contact Highland Council Planning and Development Great Glen Way Rangers on tel: 01320 366633.