Crinan Canal winter works: Masonry wall repairs near Lock 14

To minimise disruption for moorings customers, visitors and residents, we are restricting the dewatering to this section, rather than draining the entire area between locks 13 and 14. This means we will install a temporary dam and an access ramp, allowing us to pump out water safely ahead of inspections. Electric pumps which are the quieter option available will be used where possible.  

Water levels in the basin have already been reduced and will be lowered further throughout the project. We will monitor water levels continuously and contact vessel owners should we need to move their boats temporarily. 

Find out more about the works programme on the Crinan Canal this winter

Update: 30th January 2026

Dewatering of the canal ahead of masonry inspections 

This week, our local contractor George McNaughton & Son began dewatering the canal close to Lock 14 to allow investigations of the extent and cause of the water leakage from the masonry wall. 

They are taking a careful approach to the dewatering processand regularly monitoring water levels in Crinan Basin and at Bellanoch Marina. Our water controls team continues monitoring out of hours and liaises with our engineering team to act if levels in either location start to drop change too quickly. 

We can expect that it will take a few days early next week to stabilise water levels, and that may require additional pumping (as happened yesterday evening) overnight. 

Update: 23rd January 2026

Wildlife surveys

Wildlife surveys are now complete, and our contractors have returned to site this Thursday. Dewatering of a short section of the canal by the masonry wall is now set for next week. 

Our engineering team have considered requests for this section of towpath to be re-opened or to create a route through the fenced off area. Having reviewed the need for fencing and for the closure of the towpath, we have decided to keep the fencing in place to ensure the safety of the public while we inspect and ascertain the cause and extent of the leakage in the masonry wall and complete repairs on the towpath side. Additional fencing has been put in place to mark the closure more clearly.

The closure of the towpath is disruptive: as we progress investigations and learn more, we will keep the need for fencing under review, and we will remove the fencing as soon as we have fully verified that it is safe to do so.

Update: 15th January 2026 

Our contractors George McNaughton & Son continue to work with our engineering team to investigate and prepare the plan for the canal wall repairs. 

Update: 18th December 2025

To ensure space for our contractors to work and to maintain public safety, we are implementing further restrictions on towpaths and access routes, including removing the access steps to Crinan Woods at Lock 14 (access will be reinstated at the end of the works).  You can see the diversion routes in the map below. Access for pedestrians is available via a fenced off walkway (1.2m wide) along the dummy lock, where we have identified a safe space for a temporary route.

Update: 16th December 2025

All trees that were in plan for clearance have now been removed. The walkway across Lock 14 will remain open but a banksman will be present to manage footfall and ensure public safety around the works. 

Update: w/c 8th December - beginning of preparatory works

All trees that were in plan for clearance have now been removed. The walkway across Lock 14 will remain open but a banksman will be present to manage footfall and ensure public safety around the works. ).  

Enquiries

If you have any questions about the works, please get in touch with us at CrinanCanalUpdates@scottishcanals.co.uk or on 01546 603210 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).  Should you need to contact the team urgently out with these hours, please call Scottish Canals’ emergency number, 0800 072 9900 (open 24 hours a day for reporting an immediate threat to the environment, wildlife or public safety).