Discover the depths of Crinan Canal

You can get a unique perspective of the Crinan Canal this month - from the bottom of a lock chamber.

 

Following a "phenomenal" response to a tour of an empty lock last year, Scottish Canals is repeating an "exploration of the heritage, engineering, and wildlife" of the historic Ardrishaig to Crinan waterway.

 

As part of the second year of planned winter works, the canal custodians have drained the water from the western end of the canal to carry out a programme of lock gate replacements.

 

This created a unique opportunity to invite the local communities to a canal tour with a difference – to discover all that is usually hidden beneath the waterline.

 

More than 100 visitors joined Scottish Canals’ engineering, heritage, and environment experts over two days in December last year, descending into a dry lock chamber and following in the footsteps of the stonemasons and engineers who built the canal, over 200 years ago.

 

The canals’ team shared stories of the often unseen work that goes into caring for the incredible infrastructure and varied habitats of the Crinan Canal to safeguard it for future generations to enjoy.

 

The current engineering programme is a key project in Scottish Canals’ Asset Management Strategy, with the Crinan receiving £4.5m investment as part of £12m capital investment across Scotland’s canals for 2022-23.

 

Scottish Canals interim chief executive officer Richard Millar said: “The work we’re undertaking here offers a fantastic glimpse at the hidden world of the canal – the 18th century design and craftsmanship, as well as the scale of work that now goes into caring for a historic waterway.”

 

Lock chamber tours are scheduled for February 25 and 26, running throughout the day, from The Egg Shed interpretation hub in Ardrishaig. Spaces are limited and must be pre-booked via Eventbrite. You can find out more about the winter works on the Crinan Canal on the Scottish Canals' website