Scottish Canals have announced a year of celebrations to mark the 200th anniversary of the opening of the Union and Caledonian Canals.

Once the transport arteries that stoked the fires of the industrial revolution, today Scotland's canals are home to cyclists, paddleboarders and residential boaters rather than coal scows and Clydesdale horses. The Caledonian in the Highlands passes through some of Scotland's most beautiful landscapes while the Union connects the bustling cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow, both contributing to the nation's rich heritage whilst providing green and blue corridors of opportunity for the future.

To celebrate this landmark year, Scottish Canals is delivering an exciting calendar of activities over the next 12 months including; online experiences, canal challenges, flotillas, lighting landmark structures, local festivals and much more. All are being delivered in partnership with the Scottish Waterways for All, local authorities, community groups, economic development bodies and tourism groups.

Catherine Topley, CEO of Scottish Canals, said: "Scotland's inland waterways are treasured historic assets that belong to the people of Scotland and we're inviting everyone to get involved in this year-long celebration. Whether you want to set yourself a canal challenge, attend one of the fantastic events that will be taking place or even host your own, there's plenty of opportunity to be part of this once in a lifetime occasion.


"Since December over 175 people have signed up for this year's Canal Challenge 200 and will be walking and running 200 miles along our towpaths while others are committing to getting onto the canal 200 days out of the year. We have boaters who will be sailing the Caledonian Canal for the first time and paddlers attempting all five of Scotland's canals. We even have a group of magnet fishers planning to pull 200 items safely from the canal.

"In May a colourful flotilla will bring vibrancy to the water, The Falkirk Wheel will host an action-packed day of family fun as part of it's 20th birthday celebrations while in June a floating garden will travel along the Lowlands as part of the Dandelion event – so get involved as 2022 is shaping up to be a fantastic year on Scotland's canals!"

With over 200 years of stories to be told surrounding Scotland's most infamous canals; from Scotland's iconic engineer Thomas Telford raising the level of Loch Ness by 1.2m (giving Nessie more space to play hide and seek), to Burke & Hare working as canal navvies carving out the tunnels on the Union Canal, this year of celebrations will be celebrated both online and on the ground.

Stuart Rennie, Scottish Waterways for All said: "This really is an exciting time for all the volunteer organisations based on the canals, those who live on board, and the boaters and communities who simply enjoy the benefits that our canals bring to our health and wellbeing. We can't wait to host our Union Canal 200 flotilla this May and to share the wonderful stories of Scotland's canals with the communities they flow through. It's not every day we get to celebrate a 200th anniversary, never mind two, so we're encouraging everyone to rise to the occasion to help make 2022 a year to remember."