Opportunities for Scottish Canals

WITH  the renaming of British Waterways to Scottish Canals in Scottland, the transport minister there believes their revival will offer 'real opportunities, not only for recreation and regeneration, but for the wider economy as well'.

Keith Brown believes this will happen over the next five to 10 years following the successful transition.

Appointed by ministers

The change means it now has a Board appointed by Scottish ministers, and not self-appointed, remarking:

"It 
allows us to look forward to an exciting period of continued revival of our canals which will not only see them become bustling centres of activity 
for recreation, tourism and sport. Our canals are important assets that we wish to see utilised in order to 
enhance quality of life and to help create a more successful, sustainable country."

Statistics again

However local Member Scottish Parliament, Fiona Hyslop, pointed out that over the past eight years there had been a 300% increase in the number of visitors walking and cycling along the canal towpaths.

Though there is an emphasis in visitors, boaters are not mentioned.