Award Categories

Scottish Canals Volunteer of the Year Award has been created to recognise an outstanding volunteer contribution to maintaining, promoting, or working on part of Scotland’s canal network. The Volunteer of the Year will be a person nominated by the general public, or representatives of organisations with an interest in the canal network

Scottish Canals Volunteer Unsung Hero Award has been created to recognise an outstanding volunteer contribution to maintaining, promoting, or working on part of Scotland’s canal network. The unsung hero will be a person whose contribution has not yet been acknowledged, and who is nominated by the general public, or representatives of organisations with an interest in the canal network.

Much of the lifeblood of our canal network centres around the numerous Canal Societies operating along (or nearby) it's towpaths. This award acknowledges the valuable contribution made by these organisations, many of which are run entirely by volunteers, or provide opportunities for those in the volunteer sector. Members of the public are encouraged to vote for their favourite nominated Canal Organisation.

Scottish Canals Best Social / Community Engagement Project of the Year Award has been created to recognise excellent collaboration between canal volunteering organisations and a community or local initiative, promoting any or all of the varied benefits of Scotland’s canal network. The best social or community engagement project will be nominated by the general public, community participants, or representatives of organisations with an interest in the canal network.

The award for Best Volunteer Led Canal Festival or event will be made to an organisation (predominantly run by or engaging with the volunteer sector), showing commitment to the canal network, and engaging with the local community. Members of the public should be encouraged to vote for their favourite nominated Canal Festival or Event.

This prestigious award will be made to a tourist attraction predominantly employing volunteers, based on the canal network, or engaging in canal based activity within Scotland. Projects or organisations demonstrating a continued commitment to the canal network are encouraged. Members of the public are encouraged to vote for their favourite nominated Tourist Attraction.

Scottish Canals Young Volunteer of the Year Award has been created to recognise an outstanding volunteer contribution by a young person to maintaining, promoting, or working on part of Scotland’s canal network. The Young Volunteer of the Year will be a person nominated by the general public, or representatives of organisations with an interest in the canal network.

The Lifetime Achievement Award is made to honour an individual who has not only made an outstanding contribution to the canal fraternity but also a lifetime commitment and lasting input to the heritage of the canal network in Scotland.

Achievement Certificates are awarded to those volunteers who have completed a certain number of hours / days participating in the maintenance and running of the Scottish Canal network. Many of these volunteering opportunities are listed under the "Get Involved" tab on the main menu.

The Volunteer Engagement Award will be made to an organisation, contractor, team or individual who has demonstrated outstanding commitment to engaging with Scottish Canal Volunteers, or other volunteers working on the canal network. Community engagement is also encouraged.