Number of Scots living and working on the nation’s canals quadruples in three years

Scottish Canals has announced that the number of Scots living and working on the nation’s canals has quadrupled since the launch of its Living on Water initiative three years ago.

More than 100 people have now forgone traditional bricks and mortar and chosen to join the floating communities on Scotland’s 137-mile canal network.

The latest addition to Scottish Canals’ 11 mooring sites is at the recently regenerated Speirs Wharf area of Glasgow.

Scottish Canals says that a floating creative community is now emerging in the new burgeoning cultural district of the city which is home to Scottish Opera, Glasgow Academy of Music, Theatre & Arts and, soon, the new £5.8m headquarters for National Theatre of Scotland.

Katie Hughes, director of estates at Scottish Canals, said: “From Inverness to Edinburgh and across the Central Belt, more and more people are realising that living on the water of Scotland’s canals offers a great alternative to a traditional bricks and mortar home.

“Like the canals themselves, each of our Living on Water mooring sites has its own character. It has been wonderful to see the communities that are beginning to flourish around them. From professionals looking for affordable city centre living, to artists looking for an inspirational work space, and even retirees searching for a tranquil spot to settle down, we have ensured there is something for everyone.”

Moorings start from £1,500 and previously-owned boats are available for around £25,000 – less than half the price of a city-centre flat.

The moorings come equipped with a range of facilities including electricity, water supply and refuse disposal as standard. Many locations also have additional amenities such as facilities blocks with showers, toilets and laundry rooms, while others also boast storage sheds, landscaped gardens and Wi-Fi.

Father of two Keith Hallas (54) ran a property management and real estate business in Florida for more than a decade until two years ago when he gave it up and moved back to Scotland to live year-round on a boat.

In the US, Keith, his partner Wendy (48) and daughter Laura (24), lived in a luxury 3,400 sq ft house with a swimming pool. In 2013 the family decided to move in search of a quieter, slower pace of life to a £40,000 44ft motor cruiser called MAG in the Muirtown Basin in Inverness.

Keith said; “We wanted somewhere of our own, but as we had no recent UK credit history or UK employment it made it nearly impossible to get a mortgage. Having rented a house for six months, it was pretty clear that renting was only going to deplete funds. Purchasing a boat outright solved the problem and seemed like a great alternative with good benefits.”

“Living on water gives us the quieter life we craved. We can be in relative isolation or easily get into town. I particularly like having access to the water and definitely enjoy not having to cut the grass!”

For those looking to follow in Keith Hallas’s footsteps, or just test the water, a break in one of Scottish Canals’ floating holiday homes is the perfect way to see if a life on the water is for them.

Moored in Speirs Wharf, the recently-launched ‘John Hume’ is now welcoming guests as one of Glasgow’s most unusual holiday lets.

The 114-year-old vessel has been lovingly restored and now boasts a luxurious interior including a power shower, fully equipped kitchen and even a wood burning stove. For those looking for a more tranquil taste of Living on Water, Scottish Canals has a narrowboat called the ‘Blue Hue’ moored in Ratho near Edinburgh.

In total, 46 moorings are available across 11 sites.

Scottish Canals said that all revenue generated by Living on Water is reinvested in safeguarding the 200-year-old waterways.