Splash! Landing At The Caledonian Canal

7 June 2007

The Caledonian Canal will be buzzing with boats, aeroplanes, helicopters and a host of fantastic activities when the inaugural Splash!, the Muirtown Water Festival, takes place on Saturday, June 23 .

From noon until 5 p.m. visitors to the event will be able to discover all that the inland waterway has to offer, including some spectacular attractions where air and water will combine to make history.

For the first time ever a sea plane will land and take off from the Caledonian Canal, flown by an RAF Tornado pilot who also has his own boat moored at Muirtown Basin . And subject to operational commitments, a Search & Rescue Sea King helicopter from RAF Lossiemouth will carry out a rescue demonstration!

It wouldn't be a festival without music. Tipped for the top, Isle of Skye based Stereoglo will take to the stage to entertain the masses with their rock-ing beats while the Caledonian Canal Ceilidh Band will keep everyone's feet a-tapping with more traditional sounds.

Kids will have a swell time as they take to the helm in hour-long sailing lessons led by the Royal Yachting Association. Although the event has been publicised in schools there will still be spaces available for children who want to set sail during the festival for £5.

But the water-based fun doesn't end there. Youngsters will have another chance to get onto the water when they pick up the oars on a scull boat brought to the event by Inverness Rowing Club.

Staying safe on the water is paramount and the Sea Scouts and Sea Cadets will be on hand to assist and advise all festival goers on how to stay safe in and near the canal.

Russell Thomson, Manager, Highland Canals at British Waterways Scotland , said: "It's really exciting to be able to showcase the wealth of activities available to all the family on the Caledonian Canal. We're delighted that the RAF is going to give a spectacular display, which will provide a unique insight into their work. Splash! promises to be a great addition to Highland 2007, the year long celebration of the area's culture and heritage, and we hope it will be the first of many such festivals to come."

However the festival isn't just for water enthusiasts. If you prefer to keep your feet on terra firma there's plenty for you to enjoy.

2007 marks the 250 th anniversary of legendary engineer Thomas Telford, arguably the best road, rail and canal builder in history - and the man responsible for opening up the Highlands with perhaps his greatest achievement, the magnificent Caledonian Canal .

To help celebrate the engineer's life and work, Telford 's Tales will take festival-goers back in time to learn about this great Scotsman . The group, dressed in period costume, will guide visitors along the stepped locks reliving intriguing tales of the canal's rich historical past. To guarantee your place pre-book on 01463 725 500 (limited spaces will also be available on the day).

Russell Thomson said: "The festival is the perfect opportunity to celebrate Telford 's life and work. Creating the Caledonian Canal was a mammoth feat of engineering. These walks will give people a great opportunity to appreciate just how important the canal was, and still is, to the Highland economy as well as provide an insight into the life of Telford , the father of civil engineering."

Looking to keep fit but don't know how? Join Step It Up Highland for a brisk circular walk from the canal basin to Tomnahurich Bridge and find out just how easy it is to get active in the picturesque surrounds of your local area.

Working on the Caledonian Canal is never dull and lock keepers have many a great tale to tell. Festival-goers will have a rare opportunity to meet and listen to lock keepers and find out exactly what it takes to ensure the smooth operation of the longest canal in Scotland .

The exhibitor arena will give visitors the opportunity to: learn just what it takes to save a life on stormy seas thanks to the HM Coastguard and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution; find out about the fantastic work undertaken by The Seagull Trust and much, much more.

No matter if the kids want to morph into a lion at the face painting stand, have their own boat made out of balloons by the balloon sculptor, build their own fish at the craft tent, jump around on a bouncy castle or take a ride on the merry-go-round there's plenty to whet their appetite in their very own entertainment tent.

Throughout the day, Moray Firth Radio's very own Knoxy will also be broadcasting live from the event as well as playing the latest chart hits.

For those looking to refuel after all those activities there will be a wide range of fare on offer at the various food stalls providing visitors with the opportunity to try everything from tacos to Ostrich burgers!

For more information on Splash!, the Muirtown Water Festival, call 01463 725 500.

ENDS

Issued on behalf of British Waterways Scotland by Wave PR. For more information contact Chris Bell on 0141 303 8390.