What We Have Done

Major works have been carried out on Tomnahurich Swing Bridge to bring about significant Health and Safety improvements for both the staff who operate and maintain the bridge, as well as members of the public who use and rely on the bridge, whether by car, cycle, foot or boat.

In March 2015, the historic Caledonian Canal was closed to boats after floods caused by heavy rain and melting snow undermined a weir at Cullochy near Fort Augustus, washing over half the structure away and causing a major breach in the canal embankment.

The 200-year-old Thomas Telford-built Ness Weir on the Caledonian Canal has undergone a major refurbishment, extending the structure’s lifespan by a century.

As part of our winter works programme, Scottish Canals’ engineering team temporarily reduced the water level of a stretch of the Union Canal at Linlithgow between the 9th of January and 16th February 2017. Find out more!

Kytra Lock has been identified as priority for gate replacement due to condition, age and criticality.

Following an internal inspection, Leamington Lift Bridge was deemed to be a public safety and operational risk in 2018. Essential works to upgrade the bridge were complete in July 2019.

Following the £1.625 million of additional funding from the Scottish Government, we are now able to carry out the works to both Bonnybridge and Twechar Bridges.

Essential works to replace the control mechanism and signage on Ardrishaig Swing Bridge have been recently undertaken.

Following the partial collapse of a section of the north side of Ardrishaig Pier in May 2017 causing the pier to be closed, works were undertaken to restore operations and ensure the future of the pier.

After an inspection highlighted movement and defects on the timber structure, a replacement jetty at Gairlochy was designed to increase the life of the structure. Works were completed in May 2018.

Works to replace the lock gates at Lock 6, Bankside on the Forth & Clyde Canal East were completed in May 2019.

Works to ensure the integrity of the embankments of Laggan Bay Moorings Phase 1 have been completed.

In 2019, Scottish Canals invested in a new long reach excavator and modular pontoon to help carry out a comprehensive programme of dredging across the nation's waterways.