A special reception at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh was held recently to celebrate the important role canals play in Scottish communities.

Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change Stewart Stevenson addressed the reception, which was well attended by MSPs, partners, canal users, and environmental and transport organisations.

He said: “Canals are playing an increasingly important role in Scotland’s economy, community and heritage. It’s worth highlighting the tremendous success of the Millennium Link and The Falkirk Wheel, one of the most successful Millennium projects in Britain under British Waterway’s stewardship with the Scottish Government, local authorities and other partners working closely together.

British Waterways has a very strong commitment to working with partners to identify opportunities and turn shared plans into successful projects delivered on the ground. ”

BWSG Chairman Jon Hargreaves welcomed the Ministers comments, replying that: “Since joining British Waterways Board earlier this year and having taken over as Chairman of the British Waterways Scotland Group I have been impressed by the range of remarkable engineering achievements and new and innovative regeneration initiatives being actively pursued by British Waterways in Scotland. The wealth of opportunities - across numerous policy areas - which are being pursued on our inland waterways north of the border will make a valuable contribution towards creating a more successful Scotland. The theme of partnership working features strongly in all that British Waterways does and is key to the continued and successful development of our waterways across the UK.”

Jamie Hepburn MSP, who opened and hosted the reception on behalf of British Waterways Scotland, said: “As the regional MSP representing Central Scotland I have witnessed the fantastic impact on communities across the central belt of the Millennium Link canal restoration. The Falkirk Wheel has developed into one of the country’s leading visitor attractions and become an icon for Scotland.

Within my region the new Auchinstarry marina has transformed a previously degraded site into an attractive, thriving rural destination and I am pleased to hear that British Waterways Scotland working in partnership with North Lanarkshire Council is now looking to improve the access and surroundings of the Monkland Canal for the benefit of local communities.”