Neptune's Staircase — Attraction in Scotland

Neptune’s Staircase set in the shadow of Ben Nevis, Britain’s tallest mountain, Neptune’s Staircase is a dramatic flight of eight locks on the Caledonian Canal.

Situated in the picturesque village of Banavie, just four miles north of Fort William, is overlooked by the magnificent Ben Nevis and is home to the impressive Neptune’s Staircase.

This amazing feat of engineering raises the canal by 19m (62ft) over a quarter of a mile of continuous masonry and takes around 90 minutes for a boat to travel up or down the locks. Built by Thomas Telford between 1803 and 1822, it is the longest staircase lock in Scotland. The system was originally hand-powered but has been converted to hydraulic operation.

A perfect spot for relaxing and enjoying the country, it also has plenty to offer anyone looking for more adventure. Part of the Great Glen Way route, it has plenty of walking and cycling paths.

Neptune’s Staircase at Banavie, near Fort William just north of Loch Linnhe, is kept by Scottish Canals. It is the longest staircase lock in Britain, lifting boats 64 feet (20 m). It consists of eight locks, each 180 feet (55 m) by 40 feet (12 m), and it takes boats about 90 minutes to pass through the system.

The current lock gates weigh 22 tons each, and require a team of at least three lock-keepers to operate the staircase. They usually operate on an "efficiency basis"; that is, they try either to fill each cut with ascending boats or with descending boats, or to allow for passing, i.e. a dropping craft to pass a rising craft on the same fill/empty cycle.

Prior to mechanisation, the locks were operated by capstans, each with four poles, which had to make seven full revolutions to open or close a gate. Each gate leaf had two capstans, one to open it and another to close it. There were 36 capstans on the flight, and 126 revolutions were required for a boat to travel up or down the complete flight. With the advent of hydraulic rams and push-button control, transit times through the flight have been reduced from just over half a day to 90 minutes. The base plinths of the original capstans can still be seen, although the capstans themselves have...

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Neptune’s Staircase – Scotland’s Engineering Gem in Fort William

Neptune’s Staircase is one of the most fascinating engineering sights I’ve seen in the Highlands. Located in Banavie, just outside Fort William, this set of eight lock gates is part of the historic Caledonian Canal and was designed by the famous engineer Thomas Telford in the early 1800s. The locks stretch over a quarter-mile and lift boats nearly 20 meters (64 ft) — it’s the longest staircase lock in Britain and still fully operational!

It’s absolutely worth a stop whether you’re driving, cycling, or staying nearby. Watching boats pass through the locks is surprisingly peaceful and mesmerizing. The process takes around 90 minutes per boat, and it’s amazing to see how smoothly it all runs thanks to the modern hydraulic systems. You can walk the entire stretch of the staircase, and the views of Ben Nevis in the distance are spectacular, especially on a clear day.

The towpath is well-maintained and ideal for a scenic walk or bike ride. You’ll also see the Jacobite Steam Train cross the canal on a nearby swing bridge — a great photo opportunity! There are free parking spots, rest areas, and cafés nearby for a relaxing afternoon.

📸 Photo tip: Stand on the upper side of the lock gates to capture boats and Ben Nevis in the same frame.

Highly recommended for families, photographers, engineers, and history lovers. Free to visit and great...

This is a fantastic display of engineering know-how and human determination in a gorgeous setting! PROS: *The eight locks that make up the staircase are beautifully maintained and completely accessible by foot. You can walk up or down both sides of the system and crossing over the lock gates is also an option. *This is a great piece of history, the locks were completed almost 200 years ago and are still fully functional (though they've undergone extensive renovations to modernize and repair them). They are a key component of the 60 mile long Caledonian Canal. *The scenery surrounding this area is stunning, including clear views of ther top of Ben Nevis (weather permitting). There's a fine cafe with outside dining available. If you're fortunate enough to catch a passing boat, this is a nice spot to enjoy a sit and drink while watching it navigate the locks. CONS: *There's not much signage available to provide information on the history or functioning of the lock system. *Unfortunately, boats don't go through the locks all that frequently these days. This however doesn't detract from enjoying this marvel or just taking...