Don’t Let Our Canal Festival Sink, Kirkintilloch MP says

Mid Dunbartonshire MP Susan Murray has called for Kirkintilloch’s cancelled Canal Festival to be reinstated.

The festival, a highlight of the local calendar and a celebration of Kirkintilloch’s history and heritage has been scrapped by the Labour/SNP administration on East Dunbartonshire Council.

A long-time community activist, Susan has regularly attended and supported the festival and has expressed her concern at its abandonment in 2025.

The Canal Festival attracts visitors to the town and of providing additional footfall and revenue to local businesses.

Susan is keen to see the festival restored and is eager to work with all stakeholders to see this key cultural event back in the community’s diary.

Susan Murray MP said:

“I was extremely disappointed to hear about the cancellation of the Kirkintilloch Canal Festival by the SNP/Labour council administration on East Dunbartonshire Council.

 The festival is a well-loved local tradition that brings families and our community together to celebrate Kirkintilloch’s history and heritage, and an event that I've personally enjoyed attending and supporting in the past.

 It is also a key date in the calendar for many local businesses, who will now miss out on the additional footfall and business it brings.

 The canal is synonymous with Kirkintilloch, cancelling the festival, without a plan to reschedule it, does not serve that legacy well at all.”