Crinan Canal Basin Winter Works 2025
Two projects will be running concurrently at Crinan Basin as part of our planned works on the Crinan Canal, with Mackenzie Construction, our principal contractors, returning to site from Monday 10th March 2025.Â
Much of the activity will focus on reinstatement of areas around the basin impacted by the major engineering work which took place over the last two winters. The project will improve the landscape setting and accessibility at Crinan Basin, with the final design influenced by our community engagement sessions.Â
Mackenzie Construction will also be carrying out remedial works at the Crinan dummy lock following the investigation of a leak during our 2023/24 winter works.Â
The works won’t require a canal closure, but will extend into the start of the season with some towpath restrictions and diversions in place where required.
Affected Activities
- Cycling the Crinan Canal
- Crinan Canal walk
Local access and information for residents and visitors
We do not anticipate any road closures for the programme of works and road access will remain open to the Crinan Coffee Shop and the Crinan Hotel. The Crinan Hotel can also always be accessed via the western side of the loop road.Â
There will be vehicle and plant movements between our localised work sites and the main compound in the car park. There will also be some small areas of towpath restrictions, and any required towpath diversions will be clearly signed on the ground.
What will the landscaping works involve?
The landscaping and reinstatement work around the basin includes a Dummy Lock Walkway project, backed by funding from the Scottish Government and delivered through partnership between Scottish Canals and Sustrans.Â
This project will install a new walkway over the concrete, hiding the sheet piling on the basin-side of the dummy lock. This walkway will look like our existing lock gate walkways and will provide access over to the lock 15 sea lock gate.
The wider project, funded through Scottish Canals’ Capital Investment Programme 2024/25, will also include improving the footpath alongside Seaview cottage towards the dummy lock and the new walkway by laying paving and widening the footpath. We will also refurbish the Crinan Basin car park and its access road.
You can find more details in the design plans on our Crinan Basin Landscape Engagement Strategy webpage.
Mackenzie Construction will set up their site compound at the top of the car park. This means they can use the existing electricity supply and won’t need to run generators therefore reducing noise impact. Siting the compound at the top of the car park will minimise its visual impact.
Online updates
We will share updates on the Scottish Canals website, on our project webpage.
We’ll share notice of the specific towpath restrictions and any necessary diversions on this webpage, and we will also share any important updates on the Crinan Canal Facebook page.
If you have any concerns during this programme of works, you can contact Scottish Canals Customer Operations Manager, on 01546 603210 (09:00 – 17:00, Mon – Fri) or you can email CrinanWinterWorks@scottishcanals.co.uk. Alternatively, you can contact Mackenzie Construction on 0141 633 5555 (08:00 – 17:00, Mon - Fri).Â
For any threat to environment, property or wildlife, please call Scottish Canals’ emergency number, 0800 072 9900.
