CanalCuttings - Your FREE Online-world British Inland Waterways, Narrowboat, River Cruiser, Canal Boat Magazine, Info Source and Britain's & Narrowboat Holiday Guide.
Around 850 Pages of Information and Features About Canals, Navigable Rivers and Their Usage - We're not just a Narrowboat World Magazine. The website includes River and Inland Waterways information - UK Inland Waterways Press Releases and Articles Invited.

Caledonian Canal Gets Dedicated Canal Officer

Stephen is set to help unlock secrets and mysteries of the Caledonian Canal

Stephen Wiseman - Caledonian Canal - Canal Officer

To help more people living near the Caledonian Canal unlock the amazing secrets and mysteries of this spectacular waterway, The Waterways Trust Scotland has taken on a dedicated Canal Officer. Over the next two years, Stephen Wiseman will be running a series of projects and activities to help people get out and discover the canal’s wonderful wildlife and heritage.

Stephen explains: “At 60miles long and with a reputation that spreads far from Scotland’s shores, the Caledonian Canal is relatively unknown locally. While visitors come from far and wide to cruise along the waterway, there are few opportunities for people living in its vicinity to experience the canal.”

Stephen wants to get local people to explore, use and, more importantly, care for the waterway, which stretches from Inverness to Fort William, he continues: “We’ve got lots of exciting hands-on activities in mind to help raise awareness of the canal, practical conservation projects, training local people to become ‘Canal Custodians’, helping people to research and record the history of the canal to name just a few. The canal created the fortunes of the region and whilst we now have different ways of getting around, it can still play an important role in the way we live today.”

Rebecca O'Hara from Scottish Natural Heritage, said: “The canal has a fantastic history and is surrounded by wonderful wildlife. Providing better information about the canal in a way that engages, entertains and raises awareness will improve the experience for both local people and visitors alike. It really does offer something for everyone – a place to bring learning to life, somewhere to get fit or an opportunity to relax and enjoy nature on your doorstep."

Colin McLean, Head of HLF Scotland, said: “The Caledonian Canal is one of the great unsung heritage assets of Scotland. It rates among the industrial icons, but it also has important natural heritage, local stories and, originally viewed as a regeneration project of its time after the Highland Clearances, it still has plenty to tell us for today. This project provides opportunities for local people to get involved in exploring all or any aspects of that heritage, from monitoring bats to hands-on conservation or archival research."

Councillor Carolyn Wilson, Chairman of The Highland Council's Resources Committee, said: "We are happy to support this new post, which promises to maximise the benefits of the canal network and promote our wonderful environment.”

Martin Culbertson from Highland Council, said: “Both the Lochaber and Rural Inverness LEADER groups were very supportive of this project and it is exciting to see that it is really beginning to take off and have an impact locally.”

The Trust secured funding from Scottish Natural Heritage, British Waterways Scotland, the European Community Highland LEADER 2007-2013 Programme, Highland Council and the Heritage Lottery Fund and works in partnership with the Great Glenway Ranger Service and Forestry Commission Scotland for this post.

Contact stephen.wiseman@thewaterwaystrust.org.uk to find out more about how you can get involved with the Caledonian Canal.

The Waterways Trust Scotland is part of The Waterways Trust, a national charity dedicated to enriching people’s lives through waterways.

Scottish Natural Heritage is the Government’s advisor on all aspects of nature and landscape across Scotland. Our role is to help everyone understand, value and enjoy Scotland’s nature now and in the future. For further information visit their website at www.snh.org.uk

Heritage Lottery Fund - Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) sustains and transforms a wide range of heritage for present and future generations to take part in, learn from and enjoy. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, we invest in every part of our diverse heritage. HLF has supported more than 26,000 projects, allocating more than £1/2billion across Scotland.