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

The first community workshops in August, which will be led by Keep Scotland Beautiful, will introduce the topic of climate change, what it means for heritage, and discuss the broader project. These workshops will offer a way-in for the group to understand what is ahead in the September workshop and how they can participate and get the most out of the experience.

The second workshop in September will delve into the systematic CVI process to consider the current state of the canal and reservoir infrastructure in Argyll and the likely climate impacts. Invited participants will be asked to provide their perspectives on what the canal means for their lives and businesses. A public event will culminate this workshop to share outcomes and next steps. This is a unique opportunity to help shape the future of the canal and to ensure that local voices are not just heard but help to drive future planning and investment.

You can sign up for the workshops by emailing amy.needham@scottishcanals.co.uk We will provide more information on dates, times and venues in line with the level of interest and participant availability in the coming weeks (early July).

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.

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