Go on, escape the everyday and set sail on a journey of a life time. Explore Scotland's canals and book your next adventure today.
Explore our canals
2021 celebrates Scotland’s Year of Coasts & Waters with a programme of events and activities which will shine a spotlight on the country’s rivers, canals, lochs and coastlines. Whether you want to experience the tranquillity of sailing through ‘Britian’s most beautiful shortcut’ as you set off to explore our rural islands or go ‘Nessie’ spotting on the iconic Loch Ness the Crinan and Caledonian canals eagerly await you.
Already ticked the Crinan and Caledonian canals off your bucket list? Our Lowland canals offer the right amount of solitude as you pass between our main towns, cities and tourist attractions including the iconic Kelpies and the worlds only rotating boat lift – The Falkirk Wheel.
The Forth & Clyde Canal is open for coast to coast transits whilst the Union Canal offers a chance to explore Scotland’s capital, the city of Edinburgh, from the water.
No matter which canal you choose to explore we guarantee you it’ll be a journey like no other.
Britain’s most beautiful shortcut, the 9-mile Crinan Canal is home to many wildlife and offers plenty of opportunity for boat trips, holidays and things to do…
The Lowland Canals boast two iconic horses and the world’s only rotating boat lift. From Edinburgh to Glasgow and the west coast, experience a life less ordinary on the lowland canals…
The Caledonian Canal is a stunning 60-mile waterway, weaving through The Great Glen and housing Scotland’s famous monster. Explore the myths and majesty of the Highlands…
The Falkirk Wheel offers the opportunity to sail through the sky, but the world’s only rotating boat lift is home to much more than epic engineering – experience it for yourself…
Living on Water offers a relaxed, free-spirited and fun lifestyle, which makes every day a departure from the dull, routine and commonplace.
Cruise in the company of your friends and club colleagues to discover the wonders of the Caledonian and Crinan Canals - and receive some fantastic discounts in the process!
Discover your next adventure on Scotland’s canals, throughout the Year of Coasts and Waters 2020/21 and beyond. Take a look at what’s on near you
Scotland’s canals are great places to escape to nature and keep fit and healthy. Find a trail near you and explore for yourself
This August look out for a free month long celebration of the Forth & Clyde Canal as part of the Year of Coasts and Waters 2021. The trail will run from the iconic Kelpies to the world’s only rotating boat lift The Falkirk Wheel.
Led by VisitScotland, the Year of Coasts and Waters 2020/21 builds on the momentum of previous themed years, celebrating Scotland’s vast array of waterways – which of course includes canals.
Scottish Canals is a proud supporter of this theme and when it is safe to do so we will bring a programme of activity, celebrating and promoting our inland waterways whilst highlighting our canals as inclusive spaces to work, live and play, accessible to all.
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