Visitor Licences

Crinan Canal 2025 Operating Season 

The Crinan Canal moves to Winter Hours on Friday 31st October at 17.00. 

Customers wishing to transit the canal between Monday 3rd Nov and Tuesday 31st March March 2026 must contact the Crinan Canal office no less than 2 working days in advance of the proposed date of transit. 

To arrange your transit, please email transit@scottishcanals.co.uk or telephone +44 (0)1546 603210  (Mon - Friday business hours) 

Caledonian Canal 2025 Operating Season 

The Caledonian Canal moves to Winter Hours on Monday 3rd November at 9am. 

Customers wishing to transit the canal Winter between Monday 3rd Nov and Tuesday 31st March March 2026 must contact the Caledonian Canal office no less than 2 working days in advance of the proposed date of transit. 

To arrange your transit, please email caledonian@scottishcanals.co.uk or telephone +44 (0)1463 725500 (Mon - Friday business hours) 

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). 
 

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.