Contact us

Scottish Canal offices are generally open Monday to Thursday 8.30am-5pm and Friday 8.30am-4.30pm (these times may vary seasonally).

You can contact our offices on the details below.

Please note at times, staff may be out and about on the canal and unable to answer the phone, in this case please leave a message and we will respond to you as quickly as possible. 

To purchase a navigation licence for the Canals click here.

To enquire about a new mooring click here 

For queries relating to current moorings email moorings@scottishcanals.co.uk.

If you see anything on the canal network which is or could impact canal navigation, please contact the relevant waterway office or email reportanavissue@scottishcanals.co.uk

Issues may include a vessel at risk or which appears neglected or damaged, or a vessel which is listing or taking on water.  

Scottish Canals is committed to furthering the conservation of biodiversity (plants and animals and their habitats) in and around the waterways. We have to balance this with the need to maintain the towpaths and waterways for everyone to use safely. 

Where possible, we undertake low intensity vegetation management on our land as we are keen to encourage a range of habitats from open water to grassland, woodland and scrub where this does not impinge on the safe operation of the canal. 

In other areas, particularly those of high use, this approach is not appropriate and more frequent management is required, for example, around lock chambers. We have to balance our statutory obligation to maintain and preserve the built and natural heritage of these 200 year old asset whilst also ensuring they are safe for our customers to use and remain navigable to boating traffic.

We cut the vegetation along the canals several times a year as part of our annual planned maintenance and the timing of these cuts can be partially dictated by the weather. The winter cut back of vegetation on the canals is part of our routine maintenance to prevent the establishment of woody vegetation that could cause damage to the built elements of the canal network which is a nationally important scheduled ancient monument.  This work is also carried out to ensure that the waterways remain navigable and that vegetation does not restrict boat movements or mooring. 

Overgrowing Trees 
Scottish Canals will cut back / rectify trees that are damaging (or at risk of damaging) or affecting operation of our assets, overgrowing the towpath, access routes and / or restricting lines of sight, or are imposing a Health & Safety hazard. Members of the public are entitled to trim back vegetation/trees that encroach or overhang into your garden, provided you follow health and safety advice and ensure that the tree does not have a Tree Protection Order.

Please contact environment@scottishcanals.co.uk for more information.

Please note that 24 hour advanced booking is required in summer / in winter 48 hour advanced booking is required. It is always recommended to book as early as possible to ensure passage.

Passage through The Falkirk Wheel

Tel: 01324 676912

Passage through Carron Sea Locks 1 and 2

Tel: 07810 794 467

Passage through Bowling Sea Lock

Tel: 01389 877 969

General Boat Movements on the Lowland Canals

Tel: 07810 794 467

If you spot something unlawful taking place on Scottish Canals land or property please call the police on 101 – our staff do not have authority to deal with these issues.

In an emergency always dial 999 – when a life is in danger, a crime is in progress or a suspect is nearby. 

Unfortunately we can’t respond to every report of litter, overgrown trees and graffiti, we prioritise incidents which impact canal usage and health and safety as a priority. All other issues are added to our works programme to be dealt with as resource allows. Please email enquiries@scottishcanals.co.uk with details of the location and the issue to be dealt with. 

If you see an animal in danger or which appears to be injured please call the SSPCA animal helpline immediately on 03000 999 999. Their helpline is open 365 days of the year 7am – 9pm

Please contact 0141 332 6936 Monday to Thursday 8.30am-5pm and Friday 8.30am -4.30pm. 

Out with these times if it is an immediate threat to the environment, wildlife or person please call our emergency contact number 0800 072 9900.

It is usual for the canal water levels to go up and down, our waterway managers check water levels daily and will respond accordingly.

Our canals are old and do leak in some parts. If the water coming out is more than usual, please let our asset inspections team know by emailing enquiries@scottishcanals.co.uk with details of the location and issue.

In the event of flooding please use our emergency contact number 0800 072 9900

To report a fault with shoreside power, electricity or other customer facilities. 

Faults discovered during working hours (Mon-Fri 0830-1700) and non-urgent faults out with working hours should be reported to the relevant customer service telephone number or local office - HERE 

When reporting any faults or issues, please ensure you include the exact location (What3Words), type of mooring, name of boat (if appropriate), and if the fault relates to electricity, water, customer facility, washing machine, shower etc. 

OUT OF HOURS FAULTS 

Where faults occur out with business hours, and may pose a risk of harm to property the environment or a person, customers should contact our out of hours call handlers on 0800 072 9900. 

Details will be recorded passed on to the relevant duty officer / engineer, who will prioritise and respond as necessary.

Please note, that this does not mean that the issue will be resolved by the officer/engineer. 

In an emergency - when a life is in danger, a crime is in progress, or a suspect is nearby always dial 999