Seagull Trust

Seagull Trust

Seagull Trust Cruises (formerly Seagull Trust) is a waterway society and Scottish charity.

The Trust was formed in 1978 and offers free canal cruising for disabled and disadvantaged persons and groups. It is the largest service provider of its kind within the UK, and run entirely by volunteers. The Seagull Trust was awarded The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service in 2007, the highest award which can be given to a voluntary group, considered on a par with the MBE awarded to individuals.

It provides a service from four locations in Scotland. These are Ratho (Edinburgh) on the Union Canal, Falkirk also on the Union Canal, Inverness on the Caledonian Canal, and at Kirkintilloch on the Forth and Clyde Canal.

From these locations, it operates eight canal boats, adapted with a lift for wheelchair access, and fitted with galley and toilet. Seven operate daily excursions, one (the Marion Seagull) is adapted as a residential boat for hire to families with a disabled member. The Wooden Spoon Seagull is fitted out as a floating classroom.

These boats are;

• The MacKay Seagull (Ratho)
• The St John Crusader (Ratho - decommissioned)
• The St John Crusader II (Ratho)
• The Barr Seagull (Falkirk)
• The Marion Seagull (Falkirk)
• The Wooden Spoon Seagull (Falkirk) (Previously the "Highland Seagull")
• The Govan Seagull (Falkirk)
• The Highland Cross Seagull (Inverness)
• The Yarrow Seagull (Kirkintilloch)
• The Marjorie Seagull (Kirkintilloch)
• The Trust also operated The Janet Telford from Ratho, but this boat was soon outgrown and sold on to the Forth and Clyde Canal Society.