Feature: NJ81NW0060 - CANAL, LONGCROOK
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Remains of canal, part of the Inverurie to Aberdeen canal. This section runs from NJ798156 to NJ802155 and is a continuation of NJ81NW0059 and NJ72SE0131. The canal was opened in 1805 and had a life of just over forty years. In 1845 it was bought by the Great North of Scotland Railway and in 1849 they began to build a line between Inverness and Aberdeen along part of it. The canal remained in temporary use until early in 1854 when the railway opened later that year. The original project envisaged a canal running from Aberdeen Harbour to Monymusk with a branch following the Urie and then on to Insch. A study had shown this to be feasible. The canal that was finally built stopped at Inverurie with its terminal being at Port Elphinstone. When first constructed it was only 17 ft wide by 3 ft deep but after three years this was increased to 23 ft wide by 3 ft 10 ins deep. There were 17 locks and these raised the cut, near Stoneywood, to 168 ft above low-water mark. A tidal lock was added in 1834 which meant boats could enter or leave at half-tide. Basins were provided at Aberdeen, Bridge of Dyce, Kintore and Port Elphinstone. Other works included five aquaducts, twenty culverts and fifty-six road bridges. Distance posts were erected at half-mile intervals as a basis for tolls. This section includes Milestone 14 (see NJ71NE0221).