Community-based study assesses future impacts of climate change on the Crinan Canal

Scotland’s canals were the catalyst for the development of many of our urban centres, local industries and rural settlements. As such, they remain vital infrastructure assets, playing a deeply embedded role in drainage and water management across both Highland and Lowland landscapes.  

As custodian of the canal network, Scottish Canals is responsible for anticipating and responding to the future of climate change. Protecting this historic infrastructure means planning for a future shaped by more frequent extreme weather, taking into account the many economic, environmental and social benefits the canals continue to provide. 

Our canals are not just heritage assets to be safeguarded, however; they also have an important role to play in helping communities adapt to climate change. By reimagining how the network is used, we can unlock new opportunities to reduce flood risk, manage water more effectively and build resilience.

Glasgow’s Smart Canal is a prime example of how this can work: in a European first, the Forth & Clyde Canal can lower its water levels by four inches across a 20-mile stretch, soaking up surface water and providing additional drainage during extreme weather events. This is just one way that our canals can be utilised in new ways as the needs of our society and landscapes change.

Understanding the potential impacts on the Crinan Canal

In the late summer to autumn of 2026, we are working with the Climate Vulnerability Index (CVI) to conduct a major study into climate change impacts on the Crinan Canal and canalside communities in Argyll. 

Using the CVI methodology, which has focussed on World Heritage sites to date, we will produce a report and action plan together with the local community in Argyll. Schools, colleges, businesses, public bodies and residents are being invited to contribute to our workshops in late August and September. 

Our study will not just inform our asset management plan, but it will also quantify the potential impacts on the local economy and society of climate change. This means that future investment can be properly prioritised and matched to the needs of the local area. The study is also expected to highlight areas where future research and innovation programmes are needed.

Once this study is completed, we will assess its applicability for the other canals on Scotland’s network.

For more information on the CVI methodology, see https://cvi-heritage.org/.

Getting involved

In Workshop 1, which will be a two-hour introductory session led by Keep Scotland Beautiful and Scottish Canals in August (date to be agreed with participants), we will introduce the topic of climate change, what it means for heritage, and discuss the broader project. 

Workshop 2 will be more focussed and structured sessions applying the CVI methodology and will be led by climate change scientists from CVI. This workshop extends over three and a half days (9th to 12th September) but with an option to attend on a one-day basis for those who cannot attend the full workshop.

The workshops will be in-person (but we can offer a dial-in option) and will take place at the Egg Shed in Lochgilphead.

If you would like to get involved, please let us know at amy.needham@scottishcanals.co.uk, and we will add your name to our mailing list and register of attendees. We can also arrange a time to talk to you and answer your questions about participation in the project.

PROJECT LEADS

Chris O’Connell is Scottish Canal’s Heritage Manager and leads activities on the ground in Scotland. He is an experienced archaeologist with a global portfolio of projects. He is also one of the world’s leading experts on canal history and heritage conservation. Chris works alongside our engineering and environmental teams to ensure that canal assets are managed in a way that best preserves our historical legacy.

Working alongside Scottish Canals to deliver this project is Scott Heron, UNESCO Chair on Climate Change Vulnerability of Natural and Cultural Heritage and Professor in Physics, College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University. Scott is one of the world’s foremost researchers into the impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems and co-lead on the development of the CVI. 

His co-lead on the project is Jon Day, Adjunct Principal Research Fellow, College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University. Jon has many years of experience in directing conservation projects around the world and served on Australia’s delegation to the World Heritage Committee.

Lisa Snedden is Our Heritage, Our Future Coordinator with Keep Scotland Beautiful. This project looks at the impact that climate change is having on heritage across Scotland by supporting communities to explore, record and protect their heritage through hands-on activities, skills development, and youth learning programmes. Lisa has extensive experience developing and facilitating community-led projects. 

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