Scotland’s canals welcome boaters
SCOTLAND’S canals were set to welcome boaters back from July 17, if all goes to plan.
They reopened to local paddlers and fishermen at the end of May and the phased reopening through July is, of course, subject to the Scottish Government moving fully into phase 3 of the removal of lockdown.
The Crinan Canal was also due to open on the same day, with five-day operation from Thursday to Monday each week. Boaters will need to book in advance.
But transits of the Forth & Clyde for yachts will not be available until deep weed cutting is completed.
Vegetation control is a priority after the warm, wet weather encouraged overgrown towpaths and a huge amount of weed in the water. Canal bridges and locks are being checked. Throughout July the Falkirk Wheel, celebrating an 18th birthday this year, will be painted with a long-lasting protective coating. Painting will mostly happen at night so as not to impact the wheel’s operation.
At Fort Augustus, on the Caledonian Canal, work in progress to install new lock gates and walkways was due to be completed by Wednesday, July 22, when the canal was due to reopen.
In north Glasgow, Pinkston Watersports reopened in early June, giving locals the opportunity for safe, socially distanced sport in and on the water, the outdoor swimming particularly popular with indoor swimming pools closed.
Richard Millar, director of infrastructure and operations, said that it’s important that Scottish Canals’ reopening goes at the right pace: prudent opening at the right time, with the correct social distancing in place and the level of activity in mind, so that local communities are comfortable with increasing numbers of visitors and that reopening costs are, at a minimum, neutral where possible.
Richard said: “The lockdown has demonstrated quite how much we love the canals and how much we miss them when they’re not available. We know how important it is for everyone to be able to access the canals, both on the towpath and on the water, especially as we move out of lockdown.”