Visitor Licences

Purchase a Visitor / Transit Licence 

You need to purchase an appropriate licence to transit any of Scottish Canals' waterways. 

Visitor licences are available no less than 24 hours 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). 

To purchase your licence: 

1. Select the waterway you wish to book for (Caledonian Canal, Crinan Canal, All Canals, Lowland Canals)
2. Select your intended date of arrival in the calendar (no less than 24 hours ahead)
3. Select the relevant licence (outward, return) 
4. Complete the required fields
5. Make your payment. 

Licence booking options will appear when you select a date. 

Vessel Length 

• Please ensure that you provide accurate details as to the overall length of your vessel - it really does matter - if your vessel exceeds permitted lengths, you will not be able to transit the canal. 
• Our waterway staff carry out random checks of vessels arriving at Corpach and Clachnaharry Sea Locks. Should you understate the length of your vessel you will be subject to additional licence charges and may be refused entry to the waterway. 

Commercial Itineraries 

Vessels visiting the Caledonian Canal as part of a commercial itinerary, e.g. hotel boats or yachts selling spaces that include the canal as part of their advertised programme are subject to a 50% uplift in fees. Operators must contact the Caledonian Canal office in advance of booking their transit. Failure to do so may result in you being refused entry to the canal.   

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.