These photos came my way last week during the 2003 International Conference on Canals when a visiting party inspected the Carron sealock, and the lock-keeper produced these photos of "Zeepard" on her way up-river in August 2003. It does demonstrate that a 17.8 x 4.5 x 4.6metre barge can successfully negotiate the F&C canal!

Her water draft was about 1.4m, and, although her air draft was about 200mm greater than the scheduled 3.0m height of the fixed bridges, the BW staff successfully dropped the level of each pound progressively to take her under the tight bridges through to Bowling. It is most encouraging to find the Operators not only prepared to do such manipulation of their impounded water system, but apparently delighted to take on the challenge of inserting a quart into their pint pot. The American owner (who else would have the largest vessel yet to navigate the Millennium Link ?) is reportedly delighted and consequently committed to berthing in BW's facilities for the rest of the year.

Three rather smaller Aberdour yachts have returned to the Forth this season via the Forth & Clyde, all without damaging incident. There are still occasional obstructions for deeper draft yachts, the 1.8m water depth includes some silt ridges where dredging has left uneven bottom, while waterlogged timber and the occasional wrecked car, continues to appear in the channel presumably slipping down the submerged sides as traffic loosens the old residue. The weedcutting machines do locate and remove these along with trolleys, poly bags and weed, but we must accept that this will continue to be a feature of the canal for some years until traffic and funds successfully combine to clear the whole channel. On board "Wildcat", I was pleasantly surprised to read over 2.0m water depth for almost all of the western section from Bowling to Maryhill, in August, and BW have plans to dry dredge the shallower section west of Kirkintilloch to a similar standard this winter.
Some 300 transits have been recorded this season, an increase on last year, with a generally high level of satisfaction by the boaters. Most seem quite elated upon exiting to the salty waters again, perhaps the heady sensation of cruising at 50m above CD, or maybe just relief after the constant stress of close-quarters boat handling amongst the grandeur of the heather hills? The introduction of charter narrow boats has increased the traffic levels on both Union and F&C so that a pattern of mixed Lowland Scottish inland boating is developing.
Next year, the eastern lock flights will be boater-operated, so be prepared to recruit extra crew for the passage and remember that the additional essential stores will increase your fresh-water draft, perhaps to a critical level.
The 5 recommended available overnight moorings are at the Falkirk Wheel site (in the F&C if your draft is over 1.1m), Auchinstarry basin near Kilsyth, Kirkintilloch beside the Seagull Trust boathouse, at the Stables pub beside the Glasgow Road bridge 2km further west, or up the Glasgow Branch at Applecross Street basin near Port Dundas (again limited to 1.1m draft), plus the sealock basins at Grangemouth and Bowling. All are safe and have convenient hostelries and railway stations fairly nearby. Keep in mind the opening road bridges which may restrict your early morning departure during workers' rush hour, particularly if you are pushing for a two-day transit. It is worth ensuring you are on the right side last thing at night. The Stables is my preferred option and Kirkintilloch is handier for shopping; both are suitable for either direction of travel, with least inconvenience from the bridges. Be sure to discuss your intended overnight stop and passage plan with the BW bank crew who assist you. They will be your best support and will try hard to ensure you achieve your intended trip, despite any unforseen obstacles which may arise.
A Lowland canal trip is a real change for seagoing yachters, it can be both entertaining and exciting, for all sorts of unexpected reasons. My worst dislike is the volume of dirt which seems intent on entering the boat at all times from boots and on mooring lines, and a doormat of absorbant carpet is a great boon. The best is the company, the scenery, the convenience, the feeling a part of scottish navigational history and of course, the satisfaction of value obtained from my contribution to the £90m or so of public investment in the system since 1999.
It is your canal, try it out next year!!