Living on water, as so many people do in Holland, Ireland and Scandinavian countries, is something that appeals to many people, myself included.

And with new residential moorings being introduced on Scotland's revamped waterways, opportunities to experience this unique environment are expanding.

As part of Scottish Canals' Living on Water campaign to encourage more people to live on boats, new residential moorings were created at Leamington Wharf on the Union Canal in Edinburgh last year. Now a second pilot project has been launched at Seaport Marina on the Caledonian Canal in Inverness to promote five new residential moorings. A third project, which will provide moorings on the Forth & Clyde Canal at Speirs Wharf in the centre of Glasgow, is scheduled for later this month.

Commenting on the Seaport Marina launch, Russell Thomson, waterway manager for Scottish Canals, says: "The Caledonian Canal is an internationally renowned waterway which is increasingly popular within international sailing markets, and this is a unique opportunity to snap up one of only a few residential moorings that will be available within walking distance of Inverness city centre.

"We think the time is right now to show people what benefits they can find from choosing this alternative, waterway lifestyle. Living in a boat certainly offers a greener, more relaxed and more individual way of life. It can also be significantly cheaper than living ashore. Today's boats are also warm, comfortable and well specified, coming in a range of styles and sizes, and there is also the option to buy second-hand, so this lifestyle can appeal to a wide range of people.

"Buying and mooring a houseboat on the Caledonian Canal could be, for example, a competitive alternative for a first-time house buyer or an attractive lifestyle for retired or professional individuals."

Living on the Caledonian Canal is not new to Ann and Colin Borthwick, whose current home is a narrow boat named Missee.

"We decided to buy and live on a boat following two very successful narrow boat holidays," says Ann. "We love just being on our boat and, even though we are almost in the city centre, we see a huge variety of wildlife, which is fabulous. We also love the freedom to just cast off, explore the waterway and change location."

The new moorings, which sit in scenic surroundings just off the Beauly Firth in the Seaport Marina, will be released individually by online auction over the coming months. Full details of each mooring, which will be auctioned for an initial three-year lease, will be available at each auction. For details visit www.livingonwater.co.uk or call Rettie & Co on 0845 220 2727.

For those who like the idea of a canal lifestyle but would prefer a home on terra firma, there are three properties currently on the market near canals.

At the top end is Glenarbuck House, in Bowling, at the end of the Forth & Clyde Canal. Standing in around 50 acres of formal gardens, putting green and woodland, this B-listed neo-classical Georgian mansion's elevated position provides fabulous views of the Clyde estuary. It was built in 1804 for the merchant Gilbert Hamilton, who was the first president of the Glasgow Humane Society, a founding member of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, and Glasgow's Lord Provost in 1792.

The main house has accommodation over three levels – three public rooms, five bedrooms, en-suite shower and dressing rooms and three further bath/shower rooms. At the rear, there are two self-contained apartments, one with two bedrooms, the other with three. It's a stunning property and currently for sale with Savills' Glasgow office at offers over £1.25 million.

Overlooking the Bellanoch Marina and picturesque Crinan Canal, four miles from Lochgilphead, Braeface is a traditional stone-built four-bedroom house over four levels, with the option to purchase an attached byre and 38.8 acres of woodland, rough grazings and pasture.

The layout comprises a ground floor utility room, pantry and cellar. Above is a 21ft living/dining room, bathroom, and large farmhouse-style dining kitchen; the second floor houses four spacious double bedrooms and a large shower room; and the top floor is a 37ft open-plan bedroom and sitting room.

Braeface is for sale as a whole, at offers over £420,000, or in three lots, Lot One being the house and 2.3 acres at offers over £275,000; Lot Two the 37ft attached byre, at offers over £70,000; and Lot Three the remaining 36.5 acres at offers over £75,000. Details are available from Robb Residential (formerly Strutt & Parker) in Glasgow (0141 225 3880).

Back to Speirs Wharf, where Slater Hogg & Howison's Candleriggs office is selling a contemporary one-bedroom apartment on the first floor of a refurbished sandstone former mill building right on the canalside.

Reasons to buy include panoramic views, security entrance, lift to all levels, a bright living/dining room, refitted kitchen, dishwasher, fridge freezer and washing machine, double bedroom with integrated mirrored wardrobes giving plenty of storage, and a refitted bathroom.

Residents also have parking and access to leisure facilities including a swimming pool, sauna, steam room, Jacuzzi and gym, without leaving the building.