The 137 miles of canals that snake through Scotland have been transformed in recent years from a decaying memory of the nation's early industrial past into a thriving network fostering modern eco-toursim and conservation.

Now the organisation that looks after the network wants to change from a government-run institution into a "national trust" for the waves.

British Waterways, which looks after 2200 miles of the UK's canals and rivers, will today launch a national debate at the House of Commons that proposes moving from state control into a trust to help secure its future.

Over the next six months British Waterways will be holding meetings to discuss its strategy with councils, devolved assemblies, partners, waterway communities and third sector organisations.

Its Scottish arm, British Waterways Scotland, manages the Forth and Clyde, Union, Monkland, Caledonian and Crinan canals.

British Waterways said becoming a trust would encourage greater community ownership of local waterways, more involvement from the voluntary sector and a wider funding base.

Tony Hales, chairman of British Waterways, said: "The waterways have had an extraordinary rebirth since the middle of the last century when all but a handful of enthusiasts viewed them as dangerous ditches.

"Today they offer some of Britain's greenest recreational facilities, they are breathing new life into scores of waterside towns and cities, and they collectively comprise one of the most important examples of industrial heritage anywhere in the world.

"However, the network is more than just a pretty place; it is important in alleviating flooding, it provides refuges for threatened wildlife, it offers alternative transport routes and, thanks to the latest technology, it is even helping to generate clean electricity.

"For this to continue, we need to look at a new model of ownership for our waterways, one that provides greater certainty and flexibility over funding and gives communities more of a role in the running of their local canal or river."

British Waterways, which employs 1800 workers, including lock-keepers, said it should become a third sector, public interest company or trust, in the next decade, and suggested its annual funding could be changed into new government contracts.

Mr Hales added: "The public sector model has arguably seen the waterways through difficult times and enabled their re-birth in the last decade.

"We strongly believe a new voluntary sector model is the next logical step for us.

"It would still embrace all the public and private sectors can offer but, more importantly, allow the passion and support amongst the voluntary sector to make a much greater contribution to the management and financing of the nation's historic waterways.

"In the long term we believe the waterways should join the great family of voluntary sector organisations and good causes that have achieved so much for our heritage, wildlife and landscapes.

"This change will take time to implement fully and successfully, so we believe it is right to start the debate now."

Responsibility for inland waterways in Scotland is a devolved issue and British Waterways Scotland receives grant funding from the Scottish Government to ensure navigation channels remain open and in a safe and well-maintained condition.

Scottish ministers currently have responsibility for appointing two members of the board of British Waterways.

Dan Barlow, head of policy at the environmental group WWF Scotland, said: "Any new management model for Scotland's waterways should focus on further delivering the massive benefits the networks already provide.

"They have enormous potential to deliver a sustainable transport network, they offer a great way for people to commute out of the city centre without having to use roads. They also provide an important habitat for wildlife, so any new model of management has to focus on realising the potential of our waterways."

Scotland's canals support a wide variety of animals, fish and plants, often because towpaths run only on one side, leaving the other side free for wildlife to thrive.

There are 22 recognised Sites of Special Scientific Interest on or within 500 metres of Scotland's canals. Waterways

Forth and Clyde Canal This links the Firth of Forth and Firth of Clyde at the narrowest part of the Scottish Lowlands.

The highest section of the 35-mile canal passes close to Kilsyth and is fed by an aqueduct that gathers water from the Kilsyth Hills.

The canal continues past Twechar and Kirkintilloch to Maryhill, north of Glasgow, and then to Bowling.

It was opened in 1790. Union Canal The 31.5 mile canal stretches from the Lochrin Basin in Fountainbridge, Edinburgh, to Falkirk, where it meets the Forth and Clyde Canal.

The Falkirk Wheel, opened in May 2002, links the Union to the Forth and Clyde Canal. Monkland Canal This 12.25-mile canal connected the coal mining areas of Monklands to Glasgow.

It was opened in 1794 and included a steam-powered inclined plane at Blackhill.

It was abandoned for navigation in 1942, but its remains still supply water to the Forth and Clyde Canal.

Much of it now lies beneath the M8. Caledonian Canal Connecting the east coast at Inverness with the west at Corpach, near Fort William, only a third of this 62-mile canal is man-made, the rest being formed by Loch Dochfour, Loch Ness, Loch Oich, and Loch Lochy.

The canal was designed by engineer Thomas Telford and built between 1803- 1822. Crinan Canal It connects the village of Ardrishaig, on Loch Gilp, with the Sound of Jura, providing a navigable route between the Clyde and the Inner Hebrides.

The canal was originally built for commercial Clyde puffers to travel between the industrialised region around Glasgow to the West Highland villages and islands. It was opened 1801.