VIRTUAL visitors are now able to take a digital turn on the world’s only rotating boat lift the Falkirk Wheel or a desktop trek up Scotland’s longest lock flight under a new link-up between Scottish Canals and Google Street View.

The project allows a virtual audience to take to the towpaths of some of the country's most scenic and spectacular locations, from the myths and majesty of the Caledonian Canal’s Loch Ness to the west coast's Crinan Canal.

Scottish Canals experts have been treading the towpaths capturing over 137 miles of panoramic views using Google’s latest technology, the Trekker – a four-foot, 40lbs backpack which has been fitted with a 15-angle lens camera designed to take 360 pictures every 2.5 seconds.

The kit is suited to the narrow towpaths and bridges of Scotland’s canals and has captured a range of locations including Neptune’s Staircase on the Caledonian Canal, the longest lock flight in the country and the remains of a WWII “stop lock" at Stockingfield Bridge on the Forth and Clyde Canal.

Andrew McSherry, of Scottish Canals, said: “When Scotland’s canals were first carved through the heart and highlands of the nation during the Industrial Revolution, they were considered at the cutting edge of engineering and design. It’s been incredible to see every nook, cranny, and lock captured using this 21st century equipment.

“The Trekker has been ideal for the narrower towpaths and bridges of Scotland’s canals and allows us to show off some of the more hard-to-reach places along the canal network as well as the sights known the world over.

"We’re delighted to be able to offer virtual visitors the chance to stand in the shadow of The Kelpies or take a turn on The Falkirk Wheel on Street View alongside such sights as the Grand Canyon and the Pyramids of Giza.

“We hope that the Street View footage will encourage new visitors, whether at home or abroad, to explore the spectacular sights and hidden gems that can be found along Scotland’s incredible canal network.”

A spokesperson for Google said “We believe the world is better explored than explained.

"The Trekker enables you to travel to some of the most beautiful places on Earth, such as the Scottish canals, from the comfort of your own home."