Canal Days Out are set to make a splash in Glasgow

Pictured Skateboarder Fraser McIlroy from Bishopbriggs with cyclist Omar Murray from Woodside meeting a mythical bird from Carnival Arts. Photograph by Martin Shields

Glasgow Canal Days Out are set to make a splash later this month as part of Scotland’s Year of Coasts and Waters 20/21 celebrations.

The Forth & Clyde Canal, in the north of the city, will be packed with activity in a celebration of the unique and iconic waterway and its vibrant surrounding community. Two consecutive Saturday events on 18th and 25th September will bring a whole host of events to the canal side for visitors to enjoy including tours, talks, pop-up opera performances, cultural food-making and creative workshops, community market stalls, and live music from steel drummers and brass bands.

On Saturday 18th September, local venues are throwing open their doors as part of Glasgow’s Doors Open Day weekend. Highlights include talks and tours at Civic House, a leading example in carbon reduction innovation as Scotland’s first retrofit ‘PassivWareHaus’ and guided cycle rides around the area with Free Wheel North, showcasing the canal as a hub for active travel throughout the city. With support from Sustrans, the events aim to promote the role walking and cycling play in reducing carbon emissions. Scottish Opera will also host a series of pop-up opera performances throughout the day from the Edington Street site and The Arts Yard will be running creative carnival mask-making workshops.

As part of Scotland’s Year of Coasts and Waters 20/21, the event on Saturday 25th September will feature a vibrant canal flotilla of narrowboats adorned with creative sculptures. Produced by Carnival Arts, visitors will be able to enjoy a wonderful floating display as it travels down the Forth and Clyde Canal, accompanied by live musicians and performers.

The flotilla, comprising of boats from the Narrowboaters Glasgow community will make their way in procession along the canal from Firhill to Applecross Basin, passing the newly opened Hamiltonhill Claypits Local Nature Reserve. Additional fun-filled events on the day include Lebanese cultural food-making workshops, a community market at Rockvilla and a tented family play area.

Hosted by Glasgow Canal Co-op, Glasgow Canal Days Out are nestled on the balcony to the city between Speirs Wharf and Firhill Basin, just ten minutes from the city centre.

Anna Young, Project Manager for Glasgow Canal Co-op, said “We are thrilled to welcome visitors to  our September events with this fun-filled programme celebrating all that is great about the area’s heritage and unique environment. Whilst the events this year will be smaller in scale compared to our previous canal festivals, we aim to bring celebration to the banks of the canal again this year with a wide programme of live music, artistic performances, workshops and sporting activities.

“Thanks to funding from the Years of Coasts and Waters 20/21, Scotland’s Events Recovery Fund, The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Sustrans amongst others, we’re excited to work with Carnival Arts to bring something really special to the waterway so put the date in your diary and join us for this wonderful events in the heart of Glasgow.”

In 2021, Scotland continues to celebrate its coasts and waters with a programme of activities and events which will shine a spotlight on these vital elements of our landscape. From our beautiful natural features including coasts, lochs and rivers to our industrial heritage such as our canals, mills, and the creation of our national drink – whisky, Scotland’s coasts and waters have shaped our culture, our stories and our way of life.

Paul Bush OBE, VisitScotland’s Director of Events, said “Events play an important role in our communities and EventScotland is delighted to be supporting Canal Days Out through the Year of Coasts and Waters 20/21 and Scotland’s Events Recovery Fund.

“Scotland is the perfect stage for events and Canal Days Out will give locals and visitors an opportunity to enjoy an engaging programme of activities and live performances against the backdrop of the Forth & Clyde Canal.”


Glasgow Canal Days Out will take place on Saturday 18th September and Saturday 25th September. Due to social distancing and to keep visitors safe, most events and activities will be pre-bookable. Glasgow Canal Days Out will continue to monitor and follow Government guidelines in order to take the appropriate safety measures and actions in relation to the COVID-19 virus.

To book tickets and keep up to date with the Canal Days Out programme see: www.glasgowcanal.com/canaldaysout

Photo Credit: Martin Shields