Filming on Scotland’s canals
Filming at Scottish Canals' breathtaking locations offers a unique opportunity to capture the mesmerising beauty of these historic waterways. From stunning vistas to urban buzz, these settings provide an array of backdrops for film and television productions, creating an immersive experience and adding an enchanting touch to any project.
Discover our locations
Whether you’re standing in the shadow of the largest equine sculptures on the planet, sailing ‘Britain’s most beautiful shortcut,’ or following in the footsteps of the Gods at Neptune’s Staircase, our unique assets provide a huge variety of backdrops with great stories to match.
Filming charges
Filming charges normally apply to shoots undertaken along the canals; charges are scaled in order that they are appropriate to each production and, if charging is applicable to your production, we will be able to provide you a quote on receipt of your application. Regardless of any location charges, all shoots will be charged a £150 (excluding VAT) fee that is reinvested into caring for Scotland’s 250-year-old canals.
Please ensure that applications are submitted at least four weeks prior to the commencement of your Scottish Canals shoot. We cannot guarantee that a shoot can take place if an application is not given this timeframe to be considered by the relevant member of Scottish Canals supervising staff. Any applications submitted within two weeks of filming will incur an additional non-refundable £150 (+VAT) admin fee. Any applications submitted within one week of filming will incur an additional non-refundable £300 (+VAT) admin fee.
Please email: filming@scottishcanals.co.uk
Neptune’s Staircase
Neptune’s Staircase is a dramatic flight of eight locks on the Caledonian Canal.
The Kelpies
The world’s largest pair of equine sculptures, the 30-metre-tall Kelpies tower over a new section of the historic Forth & Clyde Canal in Grangemouth.
Glasgow Canal
Glasgow’s Forth & Clyde Canal is a vibrant corridor that plays host to everything from world-leading design agencies and creative talent to Olympic-level sporting facilities.
Fort Augustus
Fort Augustus on the Caledonian Canal is a hive of activity – bustling with boaters, locals and visitors on the water, the banks and beyond.
Crinan Canal
Known as ‘Britain’s most beautiful shortcut’, the Crinan Canal offers magnificent scenery and wildlife, relaxing sailing, great attractions and more than a few surprises.
Bowling Harbour
Perched on the banks of the River Clyde in West Dunbartonshire, Bowling Harbour is the western gateway to the historic Forth & Clyde Canal.
The Falkirk Wheel
The world’s only rotating boat lift, The Falkirk Wheel links the Forth & Clyde Canal to the Union Canal 35 metres above.
Our experts can offer advice in the history, archaeology, wildlife and modern usage of the nation’s 250-year-old canals and our filming team will help you find the perfect location and provide a single point of contact from your initial enquiry to the shoot.
For specific guidance on drone usage on Scotland’s canals, please see our page on filming with drones.