An additional £5.35 million of capital funding has been awarded to allow replacement works to take place on one of Scotland’s best-known waterways.
As a result, Scottish Canals will now replace the lock gates at Fort Augustus.
Other improvement and upgrade projects will also be undertaken after discussions between Scottish Canals and Transport Scotland over the areas in greatest need of work.
Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity Michael Matheson said: “The additional funding will enable Scottish Canals to undertake a number of projects including work on the Caledonian Canal, one of Scotland’s best-known waterways, which attracts almost 300,000 visitors each year.
“It is essential that this work is carried out now to alleviate the immediate pressure at Fort Augustus for both commercial and leisure vessels.
“The repairs will also help ensure that boats will be able to continue to use the canal in future years as it approaches its 200th anniversary in 2022. These repairs will be in addition to the planned maintenance that Scottish Canals will be carrying out this year as part of its asset management programme.”
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Catherine Topley, CEO of Scottish Canals, said: “This is fantastic news and is testament to the ongoing conversations we are having with the Scottish Government about the value of the canals to Scotland.
“These working heritage assets are incredibly important, not only to Scotland’s marine economy but in attracting tourists, visitor spend and investment, stimulating job creation and business growth as well as helping to protect the environment.
“This additional investment not only helps to improve the assets themselves but supports our efforts to generate income that can be reinvested in the canals.”
Work is set to be complete by spring next year in anticipation for the start of the busy season on the canal.
The canal will be closed for the essential maintenance from Friday, January 11, to Monday April 8.
Scottish Canals says the work has been programmed to take place out of season to limit the impact on boating customers.
Over 20 new moorings at Laggan Loch will also be implemented as part of the significant investment scheme into Scotland’s waterways.