Navvies' Barge is a canal boat operating in Glasgow and along the Forth and Clyde Canal. We run boat trips taking in the charm of the canal and are currently in the exciting process of turning our beautiful boat into a cafe.
The home mooring for Navvies’ Barge is at Applecross Basin, just 20 minutes walk from Glasgow City Centre. This is where our cafe will be based and where our boat trips will set out from, unless otherwise arranged. The canal meanders out of Glasgow and blends seamlessly into the countryside, where the peacefulness and tranquility of the canal are far removed from the harsh conditions that the “Navvies” who dug the canals were subjected to. We chose to name our business, in part, after these individuals who grafted for 20 years to see the canal completed.
Navvies' Barge also found its name as a "Hats off" to the way we have chosen to run our business; a workers cooperative. This means that decisions about how the business is run are taken equally by the workers and the business is owned by its workers. We have taken the decision that profits generated from the business will be reinvested or used to support charitable causes and community engagement with Navvies' Barge and the canal. We hope to bring a new wave of vibrancy to the canal and share our passion for a life on the water with others.
Our boat trips are a fantastic way to engage with the canal and have a day out with family and friends. There are two main trips that we do, short and long. Both trips are open to up to 12 customers, bring your own booze and picnic and tea and coffee will be provided. Recent customers have remarked on how easy it is to make themselves feel 'right at home'. This is wholeheartedly the idea of our boat trips. For the duration of the journey you will be given the run of the inside of the boat while we skipper out back. This gives you the freedom to explore the boat, wave at gongoozlers and watch the world slowly trickle by. You will be invited to try your hand at steering the boat, a fantastic way to relax and find yourself truly living in the moment.
Short trip
Our short trip takes roughly 2.5 hours and consists of a trip to the Maryhill Locks. This trip takes a secret almost forgotten route through the city of Glasgow taking in beautiful views of the West End. Upon arriving at Maryhill Locks there is a fantastic little cafe selling tapas food, the Velovan Bike Cafe. The Mary Hill Locks are a flight of 5 locks leading the way to Bowling and onto the River Clyde. Unfortunately, we are unable to go through these locks at this time. At the top of the Locks customers are given the opportunity to assist in turning the boat around using ropes and the power of the wind rather than the engine before beginning our return journey to the home mooring. The boat trip costs £100 or £120 at the weekend
Long trip
The long boat trip takes us to Kirkintilloch, the so called Canal Capital of Scotland. This trip shares the first half hour of the short trip, but then takes a turning in the direction of the River Forth before arriving at the Maryhill Locks. This is a full day out on the boat and takes roughly two and a half hours to reach Kirkintilloch. The majority of our trips call in for lunch at The Stables Pub. We can book a table for you if required. If you are joining us with children there is a fantastic barge here called Craft Daft on a Raft offering great activities for children.
Alternatively, Cadder Wharf is a beautiful spot along the canal for a picnic. The winding nature of the canal around here seems to reduce the wind, giving the water a glasslike quality reflecting the array of colour in the trees. This is one of our favourite spots along the canal, though it must be said the selection of beers in The Stables are very enticing.
We will bring a homemade cake for the long trips which last roughly seven and a half hours and costs £200 or £250 at the weekend. If you are interested in booking a boat trip please do get in touch, we will do all we can to ensure the day meets your wishes, from adjusting the length of the trip to decorating the boat.
We are currently in the busy process of turning the canal boat into a cafe which is a complicated process to say the least! The boat has been rewired and a new oven recently fitted. It's been a long and arduous task that has at times addled our brains, from confusions about 12v electrics to the power usage of appliances and how to generate enough electricity whilst on the move. The acronym of boat, 'Break Out Another Thousand' has never felt so real! The fruits of our labour are all starting to pay off now though, as piece by piece, the inner workings of the boat are prepared and adapted to service as a cafe. The arrival of our coffee machine and grinder spelt a tantalising move from a mere plan to a reality as the layout of the kitchen really started to take shape. The kitchen renovation has given us the opportunity to work with a fantastic organisation Glasgow Wood Recycling, a Social Enterprise working with reclaimed wood to create beautiful furniture.
An exciting aspect of preparing the cafe is looking at how we are going to furnish the boat. As we have busily explored furniture shops, charity shops and car boot sales for potential treasures, the strength of our Workers Cooperative has certainly been challenged, “I like that chair, that would be great” says one, “I don't like its legs” says another, “My bum doesn’t fit in it” complains another. An impromptu team building exercise carrying a pew across Glasgow sorted that. It’s safe to say, due diligence is being applied to ensure the cafe will be cosy, homely and welcoming.
Listen and watch out for when our cafe will be opening and come and say hello.
We hope to use the boat for community groups thus creating a space for meetings and/or activities. The boat will provide a unique place for discussion, activities or craft groups. We also believe that using the boat on trips could become a meaningful way to unwind and talk thus becoming a fantastic resource for charities and services working in the area. This is an aspect of the business we intend to develop in the future when time is in richer supply. Please get in touch if you have any ideas about how you could work with us and we can discuss how we can help and support each other.
Having fallen in love with the beauty and peacefulness of the Forth and Clyde Canal ourselves, we wanted to share this with others. We hope to see you in the future and welcome you onto Navvies’ Barge.
