Visitor Licences

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Winter Operation

 

Caledonian Canal 

The Caledonian Canal will be closed to sea-to-sea traffic from 4pm on Sunday 3rd Nov 2024 until 9am on Monday 24th March 2025 to allow BEAR Scotland to carry out essential engineering works on several of the road bridges along the canal:

During this closure, some navigation may be possible within published winter operating hours (Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm.) 

All request for transits should be submitted to the Caledonian Canal Office by email no less than 48 hours prior to the intended date of travel – caledonian@scottishcanals.co.uk

Crinan Canal 

The Crinan Canal will be operating on a winter schedule from 1st November. 

Arrangements for winter transit through the Crinan Canal should be made telephonically. Call 01546 603 210 during office hours. 

BOOKINGS SHOULD BE MADE BY PHONE 01546 603 210 – PLEASE ALLOW 24 / 48 HOURS NOTICE 

Transits will be arranged to fit in with our winter works commitment, water and flood control management and ongoing engineering works.  

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 on the Caledonian Canal 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 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. 

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.