Projects and ongoing works
As well as the management and development of five Scottish canals, we care for bridges, buildings, locks, The Falkirk Wheel, The Kelpies and 19 water supply reservoirs in locations across Scotland. You can read about each of our projects in detail below, or visit our stoppages page for a full, current list.Â
View the full schedule of stoppages on the network
If you'd like to see where works and stoppages are happening, you can also visit our live network map, which shows where navigation is suspended or where a lock or other asset is not currently operational (in red). Click on features to read more and find links to further information.
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Falkirk Flight Upgrade and Gate Replacement Programme - Extension
Location: Forth & Clyde Canal, Lock 3 (Grangemouth) to Lock 16 (Camelon)Â
Extent of project site: Approximately four kilometres with the site compound at Lock 4 (Abbots Road)
Duration: January 2025 to 23rd April 2027Â
COMPLETED: Emergency Flood Prevention Barriers in Place
Tuesday 27th October (PM) to Wednesday 28th October (AM): Scottish Canals erected flood barriers along the towpath in response to flood warnings from SEPA.
The barriers are now removed and the towpath is open.
Inspections and repairs of the Kelvin Aqueduct, Maryhill, Forth & Clyde Canal
Location: Kelvin Aqueduct, Maryhill
Navigation suspended: From Bowling to Lock 25; Bowling Harbour remains open
Duration: February 2026 to 1st March 2027
Road Embankment Inspections: Traffic down to one lane on A82 near Dochgarroch
Scottish Canals and BEAR Scotland are working in partnership to inspect the road embankment adjacent to the A82 trunk road. Traffic lights will remain in operation as a precaution to protect road users until repair works are completed.
Dredging - how it's done and upcoming works
In the coming months, we have a series of dredging works underway on Scotland's canal network:
- Plough dredging at Ardrishaig harbour on the Crinan Canal (from 16th November), each lasting for a period of three weeks
- Dochfour Burn from 26th October for a period of one week with a closure of the car park at Dochgarroch.
- At Laggan locks on the Caledonian Canal between January to March 2027.
View our stoppages page for the latest information on these works.
COMPLETED Resurfacing of the Car Parks at Bowling Harbour
Monday 19th to Wednesday, 28th October (note revised completion date).
Scottish Canals is planning to resurface the car parks around Bowling Harbour. The resurfacing and repainting of the lines on the three car parks will happen sequentially, so there will be parking spaces available throughout the week and our team will direct visitors to alternative Scottish Canals parking beyond Custom House Hotel as needed.
Lock 38 (Helenslea) – Navigation Suspended Temporarily for Emergency Gate Repairs
We have suspended navigation through Lock 38 (Bowling) while we carry out emergency repairs to the upstream gates. We have implemented temporary measures to ensure the gates remain safely closed, and we have installed signage about the suspension of navigation. We are now assessing the condition of the gates and agreeing a repair plan.Â
Visitors to Crinan Canal Basin benefit from improved landscaping and access routes
A major programme of improvements to the landscape and access routes around the Crinan Basin has transformed the experience of visitors. Completed this year, following a series of public consultations, the improvements were funded by Walk Wheel Cycle Trust and Argyll and Bute Council.
Lock 21 (Maryhill) Bypass Installation on the Forth & Clyde Canal
The Lock 21 project is partially funded by Scottish Water (£630,000) and partially by Scottish Canal’s Capital Investment Fund, which is our funding from Scottish Government to maintain our canal infrastructure. The lock bypass will give us better control over water levels in the canal, offering an alternative route for water around the lock. Meanwhile, we will install kiosks (small metal boxes) containing the telemetry technologies that enable the smart canal’s autonomy.