Scotland's lowland canals are home to fewer than 400 boats just six years after they reopened following a £85m revamp.

There are just 376 vessels based on either the Union or Forth and Clyde, the two waterways reconnected thanks to the landmark Millennium Link.

However, canal owner British Waterways Scotland believes there is "latent" demand for as many as 2000 boats on the lowland network within just 10 years.

The company, which is largely state-financed, has a waiting list of 150 boats looking for a berth on either the Forth and Clyde or the Union canal and is determined to build up mooring and marina capacity for hundreds of other boaters.

Managing director Steve Dunlop said yesterday: "I am not nearly satisfied with either the level of transit down the network or the level of on-water activity. I would say we are just on the starting blocks."

The two lowland waterways have proved a huge success for "towpath visitors" with 15 million people making their way to the waterside to cycle, walk, fish or enjoy a pint at pubs on their banks.

Mr Dunlop and canal enthusiasts, however, stress that boats play a key role in attracting people to the canals - and more needs to be done to encourage new on-water business.

Mr Dunlop said: "We want the canals to be densely populated. There is real demand out there."