Plans have been unveiled to transform Scotland's canals under a new ten-year blueprint.

According to the Scotsman, the proposals include a 'canal beer', holiday cottages and hydro-electric schemes.

The announcement comes following the transfer of five canals to Scottish control after British Waterways ceased to operate last year.

Scottish Canals Chief Executive Steve Dunlop said the beer would be modelled on one created at the Gota canal in Sweden, and said giving control of the canals to the Scottish Government would mean income from pubs and other waterway businesses it owned, staying in Scotland for the first time.

Other proposals include using canals to reduce flooding in Glasgow and using its Port Dundas basin as part of the 2018 Youth Olympics if they come to the city.

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Elsewhere, hydro-electric schemes are expected to launch shortly on the Caledonian and Crinan canals, while canal-side cottages are to be restored and other accommodation created for boaters and other visitors.

Transport Minister Keith Brown, who published the new strategy yesterday, said the canals would be transformed into "bustling centres of activity", returning them to being "at the heart of Scotland’s economic prosperity".

He added: "Scotland’s canals are a great national asset and their revival offers real opportunities, not only for recreation and regeneration, but for the wider economy as well.

"This significant milestone means that we now have a board appointed by Scottish ministers and that the policies and activities of Scottish Canals are determined solely by Scottish considerations.

"It allows us to look forward to an exciting period of continued revival of our canals which will not only see them become bustling centres of activity for recreation, tourism and sport - for example, through use of the towpaths for cycling and walking, but also an opportunity for wider regeneration."

(JP/CD)