Visitor Licences

Buy a visitor (transit) licence

If you are sailing or cruising on Scottish Canals for less than 1 month, you need to purchase a short-term licence which covers both the navigation and visitor mooring needed for spending time on our waterways. 

Visitor licences are available no less than 3 days in advance of intended date of transit (This is to allow Scottish Canals colleagues to manage the number and type of vessels in the canal). 

If you require passage with less than 3 days notice, please contact the relevant waterway office.

To book your transit on one of our waterways: 

• Select your intended date of arrival in the calendar (no less than 3 days ahead)
• Select the relevant licence 
• Complete the booking  

Licence booking options will appear when you select a date no less than three days ahead. 

Please Note 

When using the online booking system there can sometimes be a delay between pressing the confirmation button and the transaction completing - do not attempt to repeat the booking.  

Please also check your junk email folder for the confirmation email.

Commercial Itineraries 

Vessels visiting the Caledonian Canal as part of a commercial itinerary, e.g. hotel boats that include the canal as part of their advertised programme, will be subject to a 50% surcharge on the licence fees above.