Keith Fergus loves the Crinan Canal in all seasons.
The Crinan Canal, running nine miles from Ardrishaig on Loch Fyne to Crinan on the Sound of Jura, is the shortest of Scotland’s four main canals but packed into those few miles is some amazing scenery. During summer the Crinan Canal is a bustling place with as many as 3000 boats using the canal each year. The Canal opened in 1801, having been started in 1794 to avoid a long journey for boats and ships around the Kintyre Peninsula. During spring and summer the Crinan Canal is at its busiest and there can’t be many better places in Scotland to spend a few relaxing hours walking the towpath or simply watching the boats slowly make their way through the locks. Today as many as 3000 boats use the canal every year, each having to negotiate its 15 locks, some of which are still manually operated. During autumn and winter (when the surface of the water can freeze over) the canal is obviously quieter but this is still a great time to visit and the very nature of the canal can produce wonderful opportunities for photography – mist rising from the water can be very atmospheric, dawn and dusk produce beautiful colours and no matter the time of day or year there are always some wonderful reflections.
