Book Your Transit
Scottish Canals has introduced a new booking system for boaters transiting the Crinan Canal. Find out more and book your passage below.
Skipper’s Guide
Our Skipper’s Guides are your complete reference guide to boating on the Scottish Canals. Your guide includes important safety information as well as details of moorings and facilities and can be purchased on arrival (£4.50) or download your free copy of the Skipper’s Guide beforehand.
Transit & Short Term Visitor Licences
All powered craft using the Scottish canals require a licence, and we have a variety of short-term and transit licences available to suit your requirements. Licences are available to purchase at the Sea Locks or Canal Offices. Download the Transit & Short Term Visitor Licences for Leisure Craft to find out more.
Locks & Bridges
The Crinan Canal is 9 miles (14.5km) in length with 15 locks (3 automated) and 7 bridges. Sea locks, Lock 14 and bridges are operated for your convenience by trained staff. Inland locks are self operated which involves pushing lock gates and winding sluices.
Assisted Passage
We recommend you employ an experienced Private Pilot if you are:
- shorthanded with crew
- in a rush to transit
- have never transited the canal before.
Private pilot contact details:
| Alasdair McCrae | 07772 634 584 | |
| Micky Williamson – requires 48 hours notice | 07917 622 553 | |
| Mark Williamson – requires 48 hours notice | 07501 444 559 | |
| Andy Grant | 07738 003 955 | 01546 850 322 |
| Mike Murray | 07818 857 805 | 01546 830 238 |
| Tom Pitman | 07712 474 280 | |
| Neil Donaldson | 01546 830 121 | |
| David Provan | 07766 827 761 | |
| George Morris | 07442 531 487 | |
| Alan Hutchinson | 01546 830 011 | |
| Hannah Dykes | 07960 011 691 | 01546 602 110 |
| Afriq | 07917 606 336 | |
| Iain Sinclair | 07775 805 577 | |
| Joe Kerr | 01546 603 799 | |
| Mark Kerr | 07514 644 308 |
Please note that Scottish Canals are not liable for private pilots.
Single-Handed Boaters
We are unable to guarantee assistance to single-handed boaters, so please ensure you have sufficient crew onboard to handle your ropes. Single-handed boaters are likely to experience delays.
Dimensions
- LOA 26.82m (88ft). Length overall including fenders, bowsprits, davits, tenders, rudders and any other extension fore and/or aft of the boat. This can be reduced by retracting bowsprits.
- Draught 2.2m (7ft 2in). Boat depth below the waterline. Remember to adjust your draught for freshwater by adding 0.1m per metre of your draught. We advise owners with vessels deeper than 2.2m draught to contact the Canal Office. *Please also see note below regarding sharing locks and water conservation
- Beam 6.09m (20ft). Width of the boat including fenders.
- Air Draught 28.95m (95ft). Boat height above waterline.
Operating Hours
The Crinan Canal operates on a seasonal basis:
- 7 days a week in peak season
- Monday to Saturday during spring and autumn
- Monday to Friday during the winter
Inland locks are self-operated and will require crew members ashore. Sea Locks and main road bridges are operated by our staff. Allow 30 minutes for last locking before close down to allow staff to make the flight ready for the evening.
Download the opening times.
Canal Works & Updates
Check our Canal Works & Updates pages for details of current works along the Crinan Canal.