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SCOTLAND'S CANALS: an asset for the future
VisitScotland
6.16 VisitScotland (formerly known as the Scottish Tourist Board) is the lead government agency for achieving the Executive's aims for the Scottish tourism industry. It was created under the Development of Tourism Act 1969.
VisitScotland's main aim is to help maximise the economic benefit of tourism to Scotland. Its current corporate objectives are to: lead the industry and provide strategic guidance; increase visitor expenditure; increase the seasonal spread of expenditure; develop tourism outwith the main tourism areas; and increase competitiveness by promoting quality and value for money.
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6.17 The profile of Scotland's canals has never been higher - with the opening of the Falkirk Wheel in 2002 and Scotland hosting the World Canals Conference in 2003. The Scottish Executive expects VisitScotland to work with BW and use these events to promote Scotland's canals as a 'niche' market and to promote Scotland itself as a tourist destination.
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Union Canal, Archives and Special Collections,
The Mitchell Library | | Spiers Wharf,
Forth & Clyde Canal |
Historic Scotland
6.18 Scotland's canals are a unique and prized part of the nation's heritage. Indeed, the origins of the network date back more than 200 years. It is therefore important that network development does not damage or detract from the original design.
6.19 To that end, four of Scotland's canals are designated as Scheduled Ancient Monuments (SAMs) under the Ancient Monument and Archaeological Areas Act 1979. These are the:
Caledonian
Crinan
Forth & Clyde
Union
The fifth, Monklands, is under active consideration for such designation. In addition, integral canal-side buildings with a residential use - such as lock and gatekeepers' houses - are Listed Buildings under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997.
6.20 Historic Scotland (HS), is the government Agency responsible for these classifications. For that reason, it works closely with BWS on the conservation, restoration and development of the canals. Such partnership working helps to maintain the historical, architectural and archaeological integrity of the network.
6.21 The successful collaboration between HS and BWS has resulted in the latter receiving many highly prestigious awards in recent years:
1997 | - | Saltire Society with the ICE - conservation commendation for the lock repairs at Fort Augustus on the Caledonian Canal. |
1998 | - | British Construction Industry Awards - 'special commendation for team work and ingenuity in restoring a structure of historic and economic importance - Neptune's Staircase flight of locks, Caledonian Canal'. |
2000 | - | Association for the Protection of Rural Scotland Premier Award - for the conservation of canal structures along the entire length of the Union Canal. |
2000 | - | American Society of Civil Engineers - international historic civil engineering landmark plaque. |
2000 | - | The New York Section of the Illuminating Engineering Society - Water above Water: A Sublime Floating Landscape in Glasgow. |
2002 | - | Structural Steel Engineering Award - for the Falkirk Wheel. |
6.22 Looking to the future, HS will continue to work with BWS and others to help achieve a canal network that contributes positively to the commercial and recreational life of Scotland, whilst acknowledging the important industrial legacy bequeathed to us.
Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH)
6.23 SNH is the statutory adviser to Scottish Ministers and others on matters relating to the natural heritage of Scotland.
SNH seeks to: conserve and enhance Scotland's natural heritage; educate people about Scotland's natural heritage; facilitate the responsible enjoyment of our natural heritage; and encourage sustainable development.
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6.24 SNH has worked with BWS to ensure that people can enjoy Scotland's canals while appreciating and respecting their natural features. In support of this, BWS has received advice and grant assistance from SNH for project officers, ranger services and other natural heritage related projects. BWS and SNH will continue to work together to maximise the natural heritage benefits afforded by Scotland's canals.
sportscotland
6.25 The expansion of opportunities for all to participate in sport and leisure is an important Scottish Executive objective. The Executive believes
sportscotland and BWS should work together to:
encourage the development of sport facilities on or adjacent to canals e.g. through the use of sports development officers;
encourage informal use of the canals as well as participation in more organised sporting activity such as rowing; and
improve facilities to allow, for example, easy launch of canoes.
The Waterways Trust (TWT)
6.26 BW established The Waterways Trust as a charitable body in 1999. Its UK wide remit is to fundraise and to promote waterways for public benefit. The Board of the Trust consists of 12 Trustees, one of which represents Scottish interests. There is also an administrative and executive support team headed by the Chief Executive.
6.27 The Scottish Executive welcomes The Waterways Trust's decision to set up operations in Scotland. The work of the Trust in fundraising and as a partner in the delivery of many waterways based projects, will benefit the whole Scottish canal network and its waterside communities.
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