Scottish town's canal festival cancelled due to funding issues

A POPULAR Scottish canal festival been cancelled, a local authority has announced.

This year's Kirkintilloch Canal Festival will not go ahead amid funding issues.

East Dunbartonshire Council, who run the popular event, revealed the news to the Glasgow Times today. 

The local authority say they made the decision after the council budget meeting in March last year - which was updated in December 2024. 

Documentation from the December 2024 council budget meeting report states that the council decided to withdraw funding for the event as no external funding sources could be identified. 

(Image: (Image: East Dunbartonshire Council)) East Dunbartonshire Council said if they wish to continue the event going forward, external funding which could cover the full costs of £120,000 would need to be secured and done in enough time ahead of the event. 

Ann Davie, chief executive of East Dunbartonshire Council, said that the council hopes they can find the funding to deliver the festival again in the future. 

She added: "As per the budget decision made at council in March 2024 with an update in December 2024, the Kirkintilloch Canal Festival will not take place in 2025. "For the festival to take place in future, external funding to cover the full costs of £120,000 would need to be secured and done so in enough time to plan its delivery. Unfortunately, external funds weren't available for 2025. "While the event will not go ahead this year, we will continue working to identify relevant external funding opportunities for future years."