Universalis

Thursday 16 July 2009

Caledonian Canal - 2



The canal was designed by engineer Thomas Telford, supported by William Jessop, and was built between 1803 and 1822 at a cost of £840,000. The canal was never a great commercial success because, as originally built, it was too shallow and suffered from poor construction in places. Most traffic still used the sea route. It was not deepened until 1847 (work designed by Telford's associate, James Walker) by which time most ships were too large. Also, Inverness was soon connected to the Lowlands by railway. The canal is now mainly used by pleasure craft.

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