Here you can find more about projects we help facilitate, national and local guidance and strategies, resources from our partners and more information on other neighbourhoods around the world that we’ve learnt from.
Getting North Glasgow Active
We’re working to create a new map, signs and add new vibrant panels and hoarding and information markers along the canal to encourage more people to access and enjoy active travel.
This project aims to raise awareness about new and existing routes for travel between Port Dundas and Firhill, enable people to access the routes through improved signage and information and support more people to walk and wheel along the canal.
The new Glasgow Canal area map will give information on walking and cycling routes, access points and other local services, community centres, businesses, public toilets, sports venues and the Hamiltonhill Claypits Local Nature Reserve.
The new waymarkers and signs will help bring the culture and heritage of the canal to life and guide people around the area.
We’ve teamed up with local cycling charity Free Wheel North to put on free rides, helping local people explore new routes and get active together while, Queen’s Cross Housing Association and teams at Possilpark, Springburn and Woodside Health Centres will also be involved to ensure as many people as possible can benefit from the project.
Coast and Waters Heritage Fund
Glasgow Canal Co-op has received funding from Historic Environment Scotland as part of Scotland’s Year of Coast and Waters for a project to research and promote the heritage of the canal area in north Glasgow.
We are working with our members from Hamiltonhill Claypits Local Nature Reserve, Navvies’ Barge, Scottish Canals and others, to explore the cultural evolution of the canal and share this special and historically significant part of the city with others.
Play Port
We’ve project managed an exciting collaboration between three of Scotland’s leading sports attractions based around the canal.
Pinkston Watersports, Glasgow Wake Park and The Loading Bay Skatepark secured funding from Experience Glasgow to team up to create a unified adventure and alternative sports brand and must-visit destination for the city.
We supported these three businesses to create a new shared brand, a website with online booking facilities and to trial their new packages to reach new visitors.
Heritage Projects
The Heritage Project Fund, funded by The National Lottery Heritage Lottery Fund and overseen by us on behalf of Glasgow City Council, supports and empowers the local community.
A selection of local groups and initiatives have been awarded a share of a £36,000 funding pot to help the community explore and unlock the canal’s rich history and create exciting new activities across the area once Covid-19 restrictions have lifted.
Boat taxis and trips, community food events and an outdoor classroom for children are just some of the innovative local projects to benefit from funding to bring the unique heritage of north Glasgow’s canal to life.
Training
Boat maintenance course
In November and December 2019, we helped fund a boat maintenance course for the Narrowboaters Glasgow.
Delivered by Pierre Potel of Potel Marine, the fun and informative sessions allowed attendees to build up relations and explore their role in the future positioning and activity around the canal.
Boaters received theoretical and practical training including how systems including the engine, electrics and plumbing could be maintained in a cost effective way and environmentally friendly way.
Learning from others
We’re keen to learn from other projects and initiatives to understand how buildings, areas and cities can be reimagined through creative and cultural activity.
Find out more about some of the places and projects we’ve taken inspiration from below:
London Learning Journey 2020
In March members of the Canal Co-op headed to London to visit a range of established canal side venues and locations including Regent’s Canal, the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, the View Tube, Hackney Wick and Fish Island.
The trip was very inspiring and we gained numerous learnings that can be applied to the Glasgow section of the Forth & Clyde Canal.
Watersports Learning Journey 2020
In early 2020, the staff at Pinkston Watersports headed on the road to visit a selection of English based watersports venues. They visited Tees Barrage, Lee Valley White Water Centre, Cardiff International Whitewater Centre and Holme Pierrepont.
Participants indicated that they had been able to visit contenders in the field which has supported their learning and capacity to apply tried and tested business approaches and new visitor offers to their own facility.
Amsterdam Visit 2018
There are many parallels between Amsterdam and the Glasgow Canal. Back in 2018 a group visited a number of venues and projects which they found very beneficial including: De Ceuvel – a sustainable planned workplace for creative and social enterprises on a former shipyard, NDSM – a former shipyard now converted to a space for creative development and inspiration, Skatepark Noord, and Westergasfabriek.
Our Vision
Find out more about the vision and strategies around Glasgow’s canal, and how this fits into the bigger picture:
Glasgow Canal Co-op – Forward Plan 2021 – 23
Glasgow Canal Regeneration Partnership Action Plan
Summarised Glasgow Canal Cultural Heritage & Arts Strategy
Full Glasgow Canal Cultural Heritage & Arts Strategy
EventScotland – Scotland, The Perfect Stage Events Strategy