Opened in 1847, the Caledonian Canal was constructed under the supervision of Thomas Telford. Its route takes it along the Great Glen through the Lochs, Lochy, Oich, Ness and Dochfour, to connect the Beauly Firth near Inverness to Corpach. The Canal thus enabled sailing ships and naval vessels to navigate between the North and Irish seas, and avoid the often challenging hazardous passage round Cape Wrath and through the Pentland Firth.

It was never commercially successful. The arrival of steamships made the voyage round the north of Scotland less hazardous and vessels soon outgrew the dimensions of the Canal locks.  Today, like most UK canals, the Caledonian is more of a tourist facility though its route is still traversed by some fishing vessels. Points of note include the Laggan Cutting, Urquhart Castle, the fine Highland scenery and, who could omit, the Loch Ness Monster. This apparition is not a modern construct. Indeed, St Adamnan, the Abbot of Iona, wrote of the beast in the seventh Century.  In the past, small coasters, nicknamed with affection as ‘Puffers’, and made famous in the Para Handy stories, traded along the canal. Sadly, though only one, VIC 32 remains in service and that as a tourist vessel.

Libby Bradshaw ‘puffed’ aboard Vic 32 and enjoyed a cruise aboard her.  She will tell us of her experiences on the cruise, its sights and sounds and, indeed, if she sighted the fabled Monster.