Neptune's Staircase
5 minute walk from Banavie station · Highlands and Argyll
Located at Banavie near Fort William, Neptune's Staircase is a dramatic staircase lock comprising eight individual locks on the Caledonian Canal. Built by engineer Thomas Telford between 1803 and 1822, this impressive structure holds the title of the longest staircase lock in Britain. It was designed to lift boats 64 feet, providing a vital link in the historic waterway.
The site is a marvel of engineering history, featuring current lock gates that weigh 22 tons each. While the system is now operated by hydraulic rams and push-button controls, visitors can still see the original stone plinths where hand-powered capstans once stood. It is a testament to nineteenth-century vision, originally constructed to foster local industry and employment in the Highlands.
Today, visitors can watch as a team of lock-keepers manages the passage of craft through the flight, a process that takes approximately 90 minutes. You may see boats ascending or descending the 180-foot locks as they navigate the canal's waters just north of Loch Linnhe. It is a fascinating place to observe the mechanical efficiency of Scottish Canals in a beautiful, historic setting.
Visitor information
- Place type
- Engineering landmark
- Good for
- Engineering landmarks, Industrial heritage, Lochs, rivers & waterfalls
- Characteristics
- Nationally significant, Open-air, Riverside, Victorian
- Admission
- Free
- Region
- Highlands and Argyll
Stations within walking distance
- Banavie station — 5 min walk, 0.4 km
- Corpach station — 25 min walk, 2.0 km
Other places near Banavie
- Neptune's Staircase and the Canal, Banavie — 3 min walk from the station
- Ben Nevis Distillery — 23 min walk from the station
- Inverlochy Castle — 27 min walk from the station