Union Canal
This Route covers:
- Union Canal
Including:
- Falkirk Wheel
Description of the Route
The Union Canal runs from the junction with the Forth & Clyde canal at Falkirk to Edinburgh, starting with the Jubilee Lock to raise boats into the basin below the wheel.
The highlight of the canal is the Falkirk Wheel, raising boats towards the summit level. Beyond the wheel is Rough Castle Tunnel and a staircase of 2 locks completing the climb to the summit level.
The Union Canal is a contour canal and the remaining 31 miles to Edinburgh are all at the same level in the summit pound. At times this means following a curving route to keep at the same level.
There are excellent views to the North of the canal from many parts of the canal, particularly for the first few miles after the locks. The Seagull Trust has trip boats at Falkirk, Ratho providing canal trips for the disadvantaged.
After passing through Polmont the canal reaches Linlithgow where the Linlithgow Union Canal Society has a team room and museum at the basin and runs boat trips along the canal.
Continuing through Winchburgh and Broxburn the views from the canal include shale bings - flat topped hills of waste material from the former paraffin industry.
Passing close to Niddry Castle where Mary Queen of Scots was held prisoner the canal reaches Ratho where dining boat trips operate from the Bridge Inn.
After crossing the M8 Motorway the surroundings become increasing urban as the canal makes its way into Edinburgh. The Leamington Lift Bridge, the only moving bridge on the canal, is just before the basin at Edinburgh. It's just a short walk from the basin to reach the sights of Scotland's Capital City.
DVDs
Waterway Routes has two DVDs covering the Forth & Clyde Canal.
Your chance to sit back and relax as you watch our progress.
Available in both Popular and Bowcam formats - or both together in one box.
Dimensions and Features
Openers = Opening Bridges Hours = Single Journey |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Union Canal |
70' 0" |
12' 6" |
8' 10" |
3 |
33 |
1 |
2 |
4 |
12 |
NOTES: The Falkirk Wheel, locks and opening bridge are operated by BW staff and must be booked in advance.
Operator
British Waterways |
||||
Forth & Clyde Canal |
||||
|
Address: |
Lowland Canals Canal House Applecross Street Glasgow G4 9SP |
Phone:
Web:
Customer Services: |
0141 332 6936
0845 676 6000 |
|
General |
||||
|
BW Customer Services: BW Emergency: |
0845 671 5530 0800 47 999 47 |
|||
Producing DVDs of Canals and Waterways. Publishing Walks by Canals and Waterways.
Read the Blog, watch the DVDs, Walk the Walks and check out the route information.
Paul Balmer trading as Waterway Routes and Waterway Walks.
Send mail to webmaster@waterwayroutes.co.uk with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2006-10 Waterway Routes. Updated: 24 February 2010.