Crinan Canal: Winter Works Programme 2025/2026

Navigation on the Crinan Canal is suspended until 31st March 2026 to allow for our winter maintenance and repair programme

While the Crinan Canal is closed for the winter season, we will be carrying out some urgent inspections and repairs as well as progressing our accessibility improvement works around the Crinan Basin.

This means that boater access to the Crinan Basin, either from the sea or the canal, will not be possible until the spring re-opening. Pedestrians and cyclists will still be able to access this area, but there may be temporary limitations in place.

Here is a summary of the work we are undertaking from December to March 2026, as we ready our canal for a busy, safe and enjoyable boating season in 2026.

Masonry wall repairs near Lock 14

When? December to March 2026

Water is leaking from a masonry wall beside the jetty near Lock 14. We will work with local contractor George McNaughton & Son to dewater a 100m section of canal from Lock 14 so we can conduct a full inspection of the structure and plan the best approach to repairs.

To minimise disruption for mooring customers, visitors and residents, we are restricting the dewatering to this section, rather than draining the entire area between locks 13 and 14. This means we will install a temporary dam, allowing us to pump out water safely ahead of inspections. Electric pumps which are the quieter option available will be used where possible.

Our contractor will start the works before 25th December. This work includes clearing several trees, installing the dam, levelling the ground. They will then begin draining the water in January, ready for inspections to begin. The nature of the repair is subject to the full inspection, and we will update you on this in the new year.

Water levels in the basin have been reduced and will be lowered further throughout the project. We will monitor water levels continuously and contact vessel owners should we need to move their boats temporarily.

Look out for detailed updates on our Ongoing Works page.

Repairs following tomographic survey near Bellanoch Bridge

When? Works are expected to commence from January/February.

The towpath by Bellanoch Bridge will remain closed while we assess the results of the recent tomographic survey. The survey provided us with detailed internal imagery of this section of the canal and surrounding ground, allowing us a clear view of the sinkhole. Once we have finalised plans for remediation work, we will complete repairs and re-open the towpath.

Look out for detailed updates on our Ongoing Works page.

Landscaping and access improvements

When? Works are expected to commence from January.

While we need to prioritise the repair works to ensure the canal remains safe, we plan to progress the accessibility improvement works around Crinan Basin as much as possible this winter too.

Look out for detailed updates on our Ongoing Works page.

Dredging

Over the winter period, you may also see our dredgers out and about between locks 4 and 5, clearing the canal ready for boating traffic in the spring. We will publicise the dates and locations in advance. If you’d like to know more about how we prioritise and conduct dredging work, take a look at our article Canal Dredging Explained.

Look out for detailed updates on our Ongoing Works page.

Frequently asked questions

Why do the works need to be started this winter?

Our canals are heritage structures that feel the force of the weather, periods of excess rain and drought, and the passage of time. The sinkhole near to Bellanoch and leakage near to Lock 14 have been prioritised for immediate investment and remediation as they are likely to develop into public safety risks.

While the canal is closed for navigation, and to ensure that we contain disruption to local people and boaters, we are also aiming to make further improvements to the landscaping in this area.

What are you doing to minimise disruption to local residents, businesses and moorings customers?

One of the key considerations in planning the works has been the impact on local people and boaters.

We are planning to locate plant, works vehicles and equipment in the public car park so that we can use the mains electricity supply there rather than run generators which cause additional noise. Where possible, we will try to avoid use of generators for the pumping operations during the canal dewatering as well.

Likewise, we have limited the extent of the dewatering of the canal, which is a higher cost solution than dewatering the entire stretch between the locks but minimises local impacts.

What will be the local impacts of the works?

Use of the public car park, additional vehicles and traffic diversions: The works will take up space in the public car park and bring in additional traffic, and we anticipate short road closures (one day for the landscaping works, for example), which we will publicise ahead of time.
Moorings: We have contacted our moorings customers to make them aware of the upcoming works and possible impacts on them. We may need to move boats occasionally.
Trees: To conduct the engineering works safely, we will need to clear several trees (three small trees and one larger tree) lying close to Lock 14. More information will be posted here and publicised in advance. The removal of trees will be kept to a minimum, and we will only take this step where it is the only way to facilitate the engineering works. 
Pumps: There will be pumps in operation while the canal by Lock 14 is dewatered: they will be close to the basin and near the dewatered site. There will be some noise from the pumps, but we will work to reduce the duration and utilise mains electricity as much as possible to avoid using generators.

Do you have the necessary permissions to conduct these works?

We are working with Historic Environment Scotland (HES) to ensure that the works are appropriate and sensitive to the heritage of the canal. Necessary consents have been gained for the high-priority works to address the leakage by Lock 14 and the sinkhole, and other consents are in process.

Our Environment Team have been on site in Crinan in recent weeks to scope out the environmental mitigations and fish rescue plan, too. We have obtained environmental authorisation for the upcoming work, and the team are liaising closely with SEPA on plans.

The felling of several trees to enable essential works in the interest of public safety is permitted under the Town and Country Planning (Tree Preservation Order and Trees in Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Regulations 2010.

Who should I contact if I have questions or concerns?

We will continue to update you here on the Scottish Canals website as the winter works progress. Our team will keep in touch with community councils, and our community meetings will be ongoing.

If you have any questions about the works, please get in touch with us at C rinanWinterWorks@scottishcanals.co.uk or on 01546 603210 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).

Should you need to contact the team urgently out with these hours, please call Scottish Canals’ emergency number, 0800 072 9900 (open 24 hours a day for reporting an immediate threat to the environment, wildlife or public safety). For an emergency where a life is in danger or a crime being committed, please always call 999.