Scotland’s first-ever canal and traditional skills centre to be considered by councillors

A unique new £12.9m campus that will train future generations in canal maintenance and traditional stonemasonry skills is set to be considered by councillors next month (December).

The Lock 16: Scotland’s Centre of Excellence for Canals and Traditional Skills project would see the former AG Barr site in Camelon transformed into a national hub for heritage training, volunteering and conservation - regenerating the area and helping generate an estimated £44.5m of economic value over the next 10 years.

The proposal is the latest major project to come forward as part of the £148.7m Falkirk and Grangemouth Growth Deal.  The Growth Deal has allocated £4m to the Lock 16 project, supported by £3.7m from Scottish Canals. Further contributions come from Historic Environment Scotland, the Scottish Government’s Regeneration Capital Grant Fund, and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

At a meeting of the Executive on Thursday 4 December 2025, councillors will be asked to agree the submission of the project’s Full Business Case (FBC) to the UK and Scottish Government for review. 

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Skills and regeneration

Lock 16 would serve as a shared base for Scottish Canals and Historic Environment Scotland, providing offices, workshops, stores and training spaces. The centre would focus on traditional building and conservation skills while supporting volunteering and community involvement in maintaining Scotland’s canal and built heritage.

The project would deliver:

• Five new permanent jobs within the centre and around 20 additional jobs created through related activity
• 15 Modern Apprenticeships in stonemasonry and five in rural skills
• 30 Diplomas in Asset Conservation and 50 qualifications in traditional building maintenance
• Over 1,100 volunteering opportunities, including train the trainer roles

Skills-based projects 

Lock 16 is one of three skills-based projects within the Falkirk and Grangemouth Growth Deal, alongside the Skills Transition Centre and the TRACE project. Together, these initiatives will strengthen the area’s role in developing vocational and specialist training linked to Scotland’s green and heritage sectors.

Once the FBC is approved by the UK and Scottish Governments, the Council will enter a funding agreement with Scottish Canals and Historic Environment Scotland to allow work to progress.

Paul Kettrick, Head of Investments, Assets and Climate, said: “We are delighted to be working with our partners at Scottish Canals and Historic Environment Scotland to deliver this exciting project. Lock 16 represents exactly the kind of long-term, sustainable investment the Growth Deal was designed to deliver. It will bring new jobs, skills and opportunities to the local area, while helping preserve part of Scotland’s heritage for future generations. It is now for councillors to decide whether the Full Business Case should be submitted to the UK and Scottish Governments for review.”