Crinan Canal, Kilmartin Glen
Crinan Canal connects Loch Fyne with the Sound of Jura and was once the quickest route between Glasgow and Inverness. So why take the kids? History, locks and outdoor fun. Crinan Canal, completed in 1801, was once a vital link in Scotland’s transport system. This man-made waterway, 9 miles long, boasts 15 working locks. What’s more, the flat towpath that fronts the channel is great place to walk and bike.
- Crinan Canal information
- Crinan Canal reviews
- Crinan Canal trip planner
- Fun stuff for kids
|
What is a Canal?
 Canals are man-made channels that are used to transport water as well as people and things. Canals used to transport water are called aqueducts or irrigation canals. Canals used to transport people and things are known as waterway canals. The Mesopotamians and Ancient Egyptians built the first canals around 4000 BC. And while these early channels were used to irrigate crops, the transport of people and goods followed quickly. In fact, the Ancient Egyptians built more than 80 waterway canals, as much as 100 miles long, and connected the Nile to the Red Sea by 500 BC. Ho hum? Hardly. Canals remain important means of transport 6000 years later. They provide safe transit routes and can significantly reduce the length of a trip. |