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Help!

Donate now and help them
take the first steps to a
brighter future.
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"A stepping stone from
not knowing what you
want to be to finding
where you want to go."
0 People inspired to create a brighter future
0 People benefit per year from our projects
0 Children per year discovering new skills
0% Of young people secure a job or education

IT COULD HAVE BEEN ANY ONE OF US.
Some of our young people face the kind of challenges and chaotic backgrounds at the start of their lives which can set a pattern for life. Scottish Waterways Trust works with those who most need help, enabling them to take those first steps towards finding new self-esteem, confidence and direction. Please donate today. Give someone a Power Hour and help them begin that vital journey and realise their full potential.

Donate Now!
Fundraise Now!

The sooner we bring the canals in Scotland into the lives of people who need them, the sooner they can begin to make important and long-lasting changes.

Canal School

Canal School

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Canal Life

Canal Life

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Canal Works

Canal Works

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canal college

canal college

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Our Mission

  • Brighter Futures

    In a nutshell we want to create brighter futures for people, communities and wildlife across Scotland’s canals.

  • Inspiring People

    We use the wonderful natural, built and cultural heritage of the canal network to inspire people.

  • Providing Opportunities

    Our projects help participants get active, improve their job prospects and provide opportunities for life-long learning.

  • Attracting & Engaging

    We are an independent charity, and need to attract, engage and involve more individual donors like you to support our work.

Latest News

Heritage Lottery Fund looking to appoint committee members

Heritage Lottery Fund looking to appoint committee members

In Blog

Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) are looking to appoint three committee members to join their Scotland Committee in 2016. They are an...

014th September 201514th September 2015
The Kirk on the Canal

The Kirk on the Canal

In Blog

Polwarth Parish Church in Edinburgh is located beside The Union Canal but a new imaginative initiative in partnership with Scottish...

03rd September 20153rd September 2015
Community Fundraiser needed for Scotland’s only waterways charity

Community Fundraiser needed for Scotland’s only waterways charity

In Blog

Sessional Post – 104 days over 1 year (average 2 days per week) Daily Rate £125 per day Based at...

11st September 20151st September 2015
Community groups and local businesses come together to conserve historic canals

Community groups and local businesses come together to conserve historic canals

In Blog

Members of local canalside communities have picked up paint brushes, spades and seed packets to conserve and protect their historic...

127th August 201527th August 2015

You can transform lives

  • Donate
  • Volunteer
  • Fundraise

We rely wholly on the support of people like you to carry out our work. By donating to the Scottish Waterways Trust, you will know that you have personally helped someone get back into work, perhaps for the first time in their lives; pushed someone from one of Scotland’s most disadvantaged communities to take the first step towards a healthier, longer life; or protected a priceless piece of Scotland’s heritage and the beautiful natural landscapes of the canals.

Our volunteers help make the canals what they are - great places for exploring, relaxing, learning and working. From leading groups along the towpaths by boot and bike or sharing your skills and experiences to help a young person get on the path to work, to capturing some of the incredible stories of the waterways, there’s a huge number of ways you can get involved.

We are grateful to everyone who supports our work through a donation. There are many ways you can donate, whether that’s through text giving, a one off contribution, a regular donation or legacy or in memoriam giving. We are also delighted to assist any community groups, schools or local businesses interested in fundraising for the Trust through events of their own.

Scotland’s canals

Forth & Clyde - 35 miles 85%
Union - 32 miles 75%
Monkland - 1 mile 41%
Crinan - 9 miles 51%
Caledonian - 60 miles 100%

Upcoming Events

15sep - 20sep 1510:00 amsep 20Glasgow Doors Open Days: The White House InnExhibition in Maryhill's oldest building

Event Details

The history of Maryhill’s oldest building is deeply linked to the Forth & Clyde canal, with its origins as a public house selling groceries and alcohol to locals and to [...]

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Event Details

The history of Maryhill’s oldest building is deeply linked to the Forth & Clyde canal, with its origins as a public house selling groceries and alcohol to locals and to passing boatmen. There will be an exhibition for visitors, detailing the history of the building and the canal.

The White House is an important early historical landmark in the Maryhill area. It was built in the late 18th century, around the time of the construction of the west side of the Forth and Clyde Canal, the oldest and the longest canal in Scotland, which was completed in 1790.

The White House Inn was built as a public house for those using the canal network – it even served as Maryhill’s first post office. It is situated at the head of Maryhill Locks, near where the main canal joins the spur to Speirs Wharf.

Throughout the week, the building will host an exhibition by Scottish Waterways Trust, detailing the history of the canal in the area.
The White House is now occupied by cycling charity Free Wheel North, who will be organising rickshaw rides along the canal towpath during the Doors Open Day weekend.

Discover Glasgow’s Industrial Heritage: The White House, Maryhill, has played an important role in the history of Scotland’s canal network. In 2015, newly repurposed as a cycling hub which takes advantage of the extensive network of canal towpaths and river walkways, the White House is still relevant to how people of the area think about transportation.

Opening Times - Tue, Wed, Sat & Sun 10am – 4pm

Access - Full Disabled Access

Facilities - Disabled Toilet, Toilets, Refreshments Available

Nearest Train or Subway Station(s): Maryhill, Kelvindale & Summerston
Parking: Car Park Available On-Site – Free of Charge
For more information: http://glasgowdoorsopenday.com/event/white-house-inn/

Time

15 (Tuesday) 10:00 am - 20 (Sunday) 4:00 pm

Organizer

Gemma Wild

[email protected] / 07795 315434

Falkirk
18sep10:00 am- 3:00 pmVolunteer Action Day at the Falkirk Lock Flights!

Event Details

Scottish Waterways Trust and Archaeology Scotland are returning to the Falkirk Lock Flight to continue the site management work started by canal college®. This day of action will include vegetation [...]

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Event Details

Scottish Waterways Trust and Archaeology Scotland are returning to the Falkirk Lock Flight to continue the site management work started by canal college®. This day of action will include vegetation management, path maintenance, site survey and photography, all under the supervision of Scottish Waterways Trust and Archaeology Scotland. This workshop is part of the Adopt-a-Monument 2015 roadshow - a week long project which will provide free and ‘open to all’ training to a variety of communities throughout Scotland. We will provide all the equipment - you just need to turn up!

Meet at The Falkirk Wheel at 10am. Booking essential. To book a place please contact Gemma on [email protected] or 07795315434 . Travel bursaries from the Falkirk area are available - please ask for one when booking a spot.

Time

(Friday) 10:00 am - 3:00 pm

Location

The Falkirk Wheel

Falkirk

Organizer

Gemma Wild

[email protected] / 07795 315434

Lambhill Stables, 11 Canal Bank North G22 6RD
20sep11:00 am- 5:00 pmGlasgow Canal Water Taxis from Lambhill StablesTake a guided boat trip along the canal as part of Doors Open Days

Event Details

Take a trip along the Forth & Clyde Canal and explore its rich industrial heritage. You will travel through the wildlife corridor that is the canal in North Glasgow.

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Event Details

Take a trip along the Forth & Clyde Canal and explore its rich industrial heritage. You will travel through the wildlife corridor that is the canal in North Glasgow.

A route to link the Firths of Forth and Clyde by canal had been raised on several occasions. After much debate and deliberation over different schemes, construction of the privately-owned Forth & Clyde Canal was approved by an Act of Parliament in March 1768. The canal was designed by John Smeaton and completed in 1790.

The 35-mile long canal served as a trade route between east and west, carrying coal and other commercial goods between Scotland’s towns and cities. It was to be large enough for seagoing vessels to develop links with trade in Europe and America.

At a time when the road network was limited and generally in a poor condition the canals offered an alternative means of transport that was efficient, relatively fast and tailored to the needs of the growing industrial sector.

The tour will take you through the industrial landscape of North Glasgow. Departing from Scottish Canals Head office on Applecross street you will see one of the remaining historic Bascule Bridges and one of the oldest Canal buildings dating from the late 1700’s. From there you will sail through Firhill Basin and onto Maryhill Locks were the boat will turn before heading to Lambhill Stables. The stables date from the 1820’s and serviced the horses that pulled the ‘Swift Boats’ that brought passengers into the heart of the city.

These and many other historic sights will be highlighted by the on board guides.

Tour Times

Sun 11am & 3pm; 2 hours

Advanced Booking Essential. Booking opens at 10am on Wednesday 26th August 2015. Details of how to book will be updated on this webpage shortly. Please be aware that Doors Open Day events are very popular and will book out quickly.

Please book on the Doors Open Days website: http://glasgowdoorsopenday.com/event/glasgow-canal-water-taxi-from-lambhill-stables/

Access

Limited Disabled Access
There is access for the ambulant disabled into the boat. Access is by steps down onto the foredeck. There may also be a step up to the boat.

 

Getting Here

Nearest Train or Subway Station(s): Possil & Parkhouse

Parking: On Street Parking Available – Free of Charge

 

Organisation

Scottish Canals

Time

(Sunday) 11:00 am - 5:00 pm

Location

Canal Towpath by Balmore Road Bridge

Lambhill Stables, 11 Canal Bank North G22 6RD

Organizer

Gemma Wild

[email protected] / 07795 315434

24 Lanark Road Edinburgh EH14 1TQ
20sep1:00 pm- 3:30 pmBee Scene in EdinburghVolunteer Bumblebee Surveys on the Union Canal

Event Details

Get a buzz out of bumblebees? Join our volunteer bumblebee surveys along the Union Canal in Edinburgh to learn more about these fascinating furry creatures and the vital role they play [...]

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Event Details

Get a buzz out of bumblebees?

Join our volunteer bumblebee surveys along the Union Canal in Edinburgh to learn more about these fascinating furry creatures and the vital role they play in the environment.

Using resources provided by the Bumblebee Conservation Trust (BBCT), we will be assessing a stretch of the canal once a month between March and October. Bumblebee sightings will contribute to the BBCT’s National ‘BeeWalk’ database and to the Scottish Canals environmental heritage team who will be pleased to have up-to-date information on these crucial contributors to the general health of the canal environment.

Are you a seasoned bee buff or just want to get with the buzz on the Canal? Come along!

Time

(Sunday) 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm

Location

Water of Leith Conservation Trust

24 Lanark Road Edinburgh EH14 1TQ

Organizer

Alan Forrester

07768 951740

Twitter

  • 1 hour ago Could you be our first ever Community #Fundraiser in #Falkirk? PT. Closes tomorrow! http://t.co/tnoXoKENrp #charityjobs
  • 5 hours ago We're looking for young volunteers & volunteer mentors in #Falkirk for outdoor skills training project http://t.co/1eLyxSkbeE @fcscotland

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