The North West Coast of Scotland is a long way from the Mediterranean and the climate definitely wild and northerly….yet on a good day in the summer it can be just as hot and sunny with a warm breeze and glow in the air. When it is like that Crinan is one of the places to be and just like the Med!……
Crinan Basin and the Old Lock Keepers House
I suppose you could say that until the early 1800’s Crinan was just a croft overlooking the Sound of Jura but then progress and importance as a port came with the building of a the Crinan Canal. Canals are more commonly associated with the industrial heartland of England ….so why build a canal here. Very simply in the days when most vessels were commercial sailing ships and dependant upon weather the stormy seas of the Hebrides and the North of Scotland could be hazardous and the route to the north and outer Isles demanded a long route from the commercial centre of Glasgow, down and arround the Mull of Kintyre, several days of sailing even in good weather.
So the solution was to build a canal to create a shortcut fro Loch Gilp across to the Sound of Jura. 9 miles in length and 10ft deep the canal has 15 locks to climb and descend the Kintyre peninsula.
The Commercial Sailing fleets were soon replaced by Steam and the legendary Clyde Puffers and local Fishing Boats benefited from this ‘safe passage’ and very economical short cut. The Crinan Canal is still used by commercial fishing boats but are now joined by an increasing number of Leisure going Sea Yachts. Locks and the height of the tide govern access and departure for vessels from canal to sea.
A Yacht entering the canal at Crinan from the Sound of Jura.
24th July
DAVID OAKES - IMAGES. 