Volunteer on the water
IF THE advent of spring and the upcoming Easter holidays are making you think about getting out and about, there are lots of opportunities for volunteering and getting on to the water on the Lowland canals.
The Linlithgow Union Canal Society (LUCS), is based at Manse Road Basin on the Union Canal in Linlithgow. As with all the canal-based organisations, promotion of the canal and enjoyment are paramount at LUCS. Regular boat trips are offered, along with selfdrive and crewed boat hire. There’s a friendly tearoom and Scotland’s only canal museum. Volunteers are always welcome, whether onshore or on the boats.
A mentoring system gives new members a point of contact and introduction to other members.
LUCS’ flagship Victoria was built in 1972 and acquired in 1975. The ageing diesel engine needs replacing and LUCS intends to install electric propulsion, with a celebratory relaunch in 2025, LUCS 50th anniversary year. The task of replacing the engine will be carried out by LUCS volunteers, following a design approved by a specialist installer. As well as the fundraising needed, there will be plenty of opportunities for volunteering on this project and any of the many activities needed to keep the society ticking along. Visit lucs.org.uk for information about the society, boat trips and volunteering.
Go Forth and Clyde is based close to Lock 16 in Falkirk, on the Forth & Clyde Canal and just a mile or so east of the Falkirk Wheel. The charity is a group of local volunteers, united by their love of the canal for the benefit of local communities and the environment, with a small staff team and a volunteer board of local people.
Activities and events include woodwork and other crafts, bike maintenance and repair, and the opportunity for RYA inland waterways training. Go Forth and Clyde works with Scottish Canals and manages the eastern locks on the Forth & Clyde, between Lock 3 at the Kelpies and Lock 20 at Banknock, with its dedicated team of volunteer lock keepers. They’re always on the lookout for new volunteers, for lock keeping and bike maintenance.
Lock keeping is a unique volunteering experience, welcoming visitors, working along the canal and cycling between locks. All training and equipment is provided by the friendly team. The icing on Go Forth and Clyde’s cake is Jaggy Thistle, a 35ft day-boat available for self-drive hire and suitable for up to eight passengers. She’s easy and fun to manage (I know because I enjoyed an RYA Inland Waterways Skipper’s course onboard Jaggy Thistle) and hirers get a 30- minute briefing before casting off.
Many hirers head along to the Falkirk Wheel and up on to the Union Canal towards Linlithgow for a fun day out. Well-behaved dogs are welcome aboard.
Jaggy Thistle is raring to go with a new engine installed at the beginning of February. Find out more at goforthandclyde.org.uk