The Caledonian, Crinan, Forth & Clyde and the Union canals,
are all Scheduled Monuments, the Monkland canal is at present not
scheduled. A scheduled monument has been given legal protection
under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979, and
works that may impinge on the physical remains or the setting of
the monument may need approval from Historic Scotland in the form
of Scheduled Monument Consent, details of which can be found at Historic Scotland's website.
The canals are part of our national and local identity and are a
source of pride for the Scottish nation. They are not just a
historical resource but a living and working monument and as such
are subject to the pressures of use. British Waterways Scotland is
both custodian and promoter of the canals, responsible for their
protection, whilst facilitating and encouraging their use by the
Scottish public and visitors alike.