Boat launching

Once your mooring has been secured, there are three options to get your boat on to the canal network. 

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Option One - Sea Locks

The first is to arrange to bring your boat through one of the sea locks. You must arrange this by phone and access, within our normal operating hours, is subject to tidal restrictions;

Caledonian Canal

  • West – Corpach Sea Lock, Corpach, Fort William - 07917 348025 or 01463 725 521
  • East – Clachnaharry Sea Lock, Inverness – 07920 237331 or 01463 725 512 

Crinan Canal

Forth & Clyde Canal/Union Canal 

All lockings are booked through Boat Movements. Please call 07810 794467.

If wish to speak to a sea lock keeper to discuss your options prior to booking with Boat Movements you can call them directly;

  • West – Bowling Sea Lock, Bowling - 01389 877 969
  • East – Grangemouth Sea Lock, Grangemouth - 01324 483 034

 

Skippers guide's

The details of how to navigate into the sea locks are detailed within the Skippers Guides for each canal and can be downloaded for each canal:

Caledonian Canal Skipper’s Guide

Forth & Clyde Canal Skipper's Guide

Crinan Canal Skippers guide

Union Canal Skipper’s Guide

Option Two - Craned In/Out

The second option is to arrange to be craned into the canal directly. Please be aware that this is only available at certain locations and is subject to our prior permission and you arranging for your own mobile crane and haulage company to place the boat into the canal. 

As the canals are a Scheduled Monument great care has to be taken to minimise the risk of any damage and this option will need to be arranged and approved beforehand by our Third Party Works Officer and will be subject to an additional charge by Scottish Canals. 

If your preference is having your vessel craned in, please discuss this with your local mooring team. 

On the Caledonian Canal, there are a number of private craneage facilities nearby. Please contact the local canal office for more information. 

Option Three - Slip In/Out

Depending on the size of the vessel, it may be possible to get your boat transported on a trailer and slipped in at one of the various slipways throughout the network. Please ask your local Mooring Team or Canal Office for the available options.Â