Union Canal Skipper’s Guide
Our Skipper’s Guide tells you everything you need to know about boating on the Union Canal. Along with important safety advice, you’ll find details of moorings, facilities and much more.
Safety on the Union Canal
Do
- Do have an adequate number of competent crew aboard. Single-handed passage is not possible on this canal.
- Do take time to plan ahead, lay out warps, fenders, and clear decks before you set off.
- Do check fuel and oil levels before starting the engine and also that all controls are working properly.
- Do make sure that children and non swimmers wear life jackets.
- Do relax and take your time.
Don’t
- Do not speed in the waterway, this damages banks and affects other waterway users.
- Do not cruise after darkness.
- Do not cruise near weirs, or attempt to shoot them in canoes.
- Do not allow pets to wander – keep them on leads and do not allow them to foul the canal banks.
Special care needed when passing these places:
Falkirk Tunnel
Only one way traffic is permitted through this narrow tunnel. Please follow the safety information displayed on signs at the entrances to the tunnel, and comply with the light signals. You must not stop in the tunnel.
Roughcastle Tunnel
Again, only one way traffic is permitted through this narrow tunnel. Scottish Canals staff will be on hand to help, so please follow their instructions.
Boaters Handbook
All licence holders are entitled to a free copy of our Boaters Handbook. Keep it on board the boat and encourage all crew members to follow it. Please ask for a copy at the sea lock or at the waterway office. The handbook contains information common to inland waterways generally, not locally specific information.
Canal licences
All craft using the canals must have an up to date licence on display at all times. For more information please visit www.scottishcanals.co.uk or contact the Waterway office 0141 332 6936.
Safety information
General crew safety
Canals are potentially hazardous environments, so care should be exercised at all times. Skippers should take safety just as seriously as if they were at sea. Ideally, life jackets should be worn by everyone at all times. Always ensure you have enough competent crew on board. Single-handed passage is possible but not recommended, and you may be subject to delays and additional costs depending on staff availability
Boat safety scheme
All long-term canal users must hold insurance for a minimum of £2 million third party liability, which includes recovery of your vessel, and have an up-to-date Boat Safety Certificate. An information pack is available from our Moorings Team and the Boat Safety Scheme website.
Craft entering the canal system by sea and berthing for no more than 28 consecutive days don’t need a Boat Safety Certificate. Instead, you will have to complete a boat condition declaration and may be subject to a Dangerous Boat Check of their gas and fuel systems.
Swimming
The canal may look inviting, but please don’t swim in it as there may be underwater obstructions and the banks can be steep.
Radar
Skippers should ensure radar scanners are switched off when in the canal and entering sea locks.
Speed limit
All craft must observe the waterway’s 4mph speed limit to avoid bank erosion by excessive wash.
Please also minimise disturbance to others by passing moored craft at DEAD SLOW.
Caution - mast projection
Skippers of sailing craft – please remember that most masts project beyond your bow and stern. Take care to keep side decks as clear of spreaders and shrouds as possible to facilitate handling warps. Please take extra care at bends whilst on passage.
The environment
Please help us to keep the Lowland canals tidy by disposing of rubbish thoughtfully. Plastic bags thrown overboard, for example, can block water intakes and foul propellers.
Scottish Canals operates a Port Waste Management Plan, agreed with the Maritime Coastguard Agency and SEPA. It is an offence to discharge oil, or oily bilge water, into the canal or its adjacent waters. Any contravention of this rule will be reported to the Marine Coastguard Agency. If you need to empty bilges, please contact Scottish Canals. We may be able to arrange for specialist contractors at an additional cost.
Rowing
Rowing clubs use the section of the Union Canal from Slateford (Prince Charlie) Aqueduct to Harrison Park (between Ashley Terrace Bridge and Harrison Park Bridge). Signs cautioning boaters are located 500 metres either side of this section.
Unless you’ve arranged passage in advance, craft can’t transit this section between 3.15pm and 5.15pm, Monday to Friday, September to June.
There are no restrictions during July and August. To arrange transit during rowing time, please call 07795 827712 in advance.
Facilities
Showers, toilets, water, refuse points and shore power
Available at various locations along the waterway (see canal facilities grids). You’ll need a Scottish Canals passkey, which you can pick up from the Waterway Office or our sea locks. A charge applies for the key for all short-term licence holders. All Long-Term Mooring Holders receive one key with their agreement.
Pump out facilities
The use of sea toilets within the waterway is prohibited. Vessels with holding tanks can use the pump-out facilities (chargeable) located throughout the waterway.
Fuel
Marine diesel is available at Bowling, Auchinstarry, Carron Sea Lock 2, The Falkirk Wheel (on the Forth & Clyde Canal), Manse Road Basin, Southbank Marina and Edinburgh Quay (on the Union Canal).
Petrol and Derv can be obtained from local garages.
Please take care when refuelling to avoid risk of fire or pollution.