Features - Scottish Canals

Safeguarding Caledonian Canal’s 200-year-old Ness Weir

The 200-year-old Thomas Telford-built Ness Weir on the Caledonian Canal is undergoing a major refurbishment as we aim to extend the structure’s lifespan by a century.

Glasgow Canal Festival

Thousands of people captured some canal magic at the first-ever Glasgow Canal Festival featuring live music, street food, crafts and activities – and the first ever Glasgow Canal Dragon Boat Race!

Scotland’s newest canal named in honour of The Queen

The Helix's Queen Elizabeth II Canal was given its crowning glory on July 5th with a visit by Her Majesty The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh!

The Falkirk Wheel's 15th Birthday!

Thousands of people turned out to celebrate The Falkirk Wheel’s 15th Birthday on Saturday 27th May.

The Kelpies First Vet Check

The Kelpies, the world’s largest pair of equine sculptures, are getting their first health check.

Red Bull Neptune Steps 2017

400 open-water swimmers took on the challenge of Red Bull Neptune Steps as it returned for it's third year.

Linlithgow Embankment Study

As part of our winter works programme, Scottish Canals’ engineering team temporarily reduced the water level of a stretch of the Union Canal at Linlithgow between the 9th of January and 16th February 2017. Find out more!

Edinburgh Canal Festival & Raft Race

The 2016 Edinburgh Canal Festival and Raft Race was pure #CanalMagic! Take a gander at our gallery of the action!

The Creation of Pinkston

Five years in the making, Scotland's first urban white water centre has quite the story to tell. Have a look at the pictures that tell the tale of Pinkston's creation. See the story in pictures...

Red Bull Neptune Steps 2015

On 28 March 2015, Maryhill Locks rocked to the sound of Neptune Steps - an amazing new swimming event from Red Bull that saw 100 top athletes duke it out for the winner's laurels over a custom made course of canals and lock gates.

The Kelpies reign over new canal at Royal Opening

On July 8th 2015, HRH Princess Anne officially opened the world's largest pair of equine sculptures and the new canal extension over which they stand guard!

The Falkirk Wheel gets an MOT!

Every November, The Falkirk Wheel shuts down to undergo annual maintenance work ensuring the world's only rotating boat lift keeps on turning the following year! Take a look at the gallery below to see what happens...

The Commonwealth Flotilla sets sail!

The largest flotilla in the history of the Clyde sailed toward the Commonwealth Games on Saturday 26th July 2014. More than 250 boats took part in this historic event and many sailed from all over the globe to join in!

Go Wild on the Canal!

Check out some of the images from the Go Wild on the Canal events on the Caledonian Canal, organised by the Scottish Waterways Trust.

A Bird in the Crinan...

Twitchers travelling through 'Britain's most beautiful shortcut' are in for a treat after Scottish Canals' staff erected a custom-built bird hide.

HOME: The International Launch of The Kelpies

The wait is over - The Helix's majestic monuments to horse-powered heritage have been unveiled to the world amidst a spectacular flame, light and sound extravaganza from pyrotechnic maestros Groupe F!

The Vulcan returns to the Monkland Canal: in pictures!

A nineteenth century boat that revolutionised maritime design across the world has undertaken one final voyage and returned to its original home on the Monkland Canal after a £300,000 renovation programme.