The top of Neptune’s Staircase at Banavie is the cruising limit. It is a pleasant village by the Caledonian Canal, about 3 miles from Fort William town centre. The scenery around Banavie is exceptional with Ben Nevis (Britain’s highest mountain), Aonach Beag and Aonach Mòr dominant in the skyline.

Banavie is best known for the eight locks known as Neptune’s Staircase. The locks were built in the early 1800’s as part of the Caledonian Canal, which opened in 1847. The architect was Thomas Telford. The locks descend a height of 19.5 metres in a horizontal distance of 457 meters and it takes about ninety minutes for a boat to pass through.

Please note that no hire cruiser will pass through here.

It’s a nice walk or cycle from Banavie into Fort William via Caol village, or visa versa.

Banavie - Banavie 3
Banavie - Banavie 2
Banavie - BM 2016 20

You may also be interested in the following on your boating holiday in Scotland..

Caley Cruisers have been offering boating holidays on Loch Ness and the Caledonian Canal since 1970 and we celebrated our 50th anniversary in 2020! Weekly or short break charter is available from April to October inclusive. No previous boating experience necessary as full training given. Cruising 60 miles of Europes most beautiful inland waterways will be one of the most memorable experiences you will ever have. So if you are looking for the perfect boating holiday in Scotland, or Caledonian Canal boat hire look no further.