Falkirk Wheel, Linlithgow Palace, Falkirk West Lothian Scotland

Falkirk Wheel Scotland

The magic of viewing the modern day engineering design marvel of the Falkirk Wheel lifting 115 feet, connecting canal boats from the Forth & Clyde Canal to Edinburgh's Union Canal is difficult to convey. It simply has to be seen! Nearly 100 years ago a series of 11 locks connected the canals - back breaking work taking upto a day on occasions.

You can take a canal boat trip on the wheel, or watch on the side - both have their own appeal. Part of the Millennium Link and British Waterways plan to develop the Forth & Clyde and Edinburgh Union canals for tourism, the Falkirk Wheel is the star attraction of the project.

An exciting leisure complex sits around the Falkirk Wheel including a visitor centre explaining the design, how it works and some history on the two canals with interactive displays good for children, a gift shop and caf, an excellent outdoor play area for kids, a telescope viewpoint and other canal features including Union Canal locks, the South Basin and Roughcastle Tunnel. You can take walks along canal towpaths and there's even a section of the Roman Antonine Wall on-site. Ample free parking is adjacent, and the complex has full disabled access. Picnic areas are also available.

The Falkirk Wheel, Lime Road, Tamfourhill, Falkirk, FK1 4RS. Tel. 08700 500 208. (weblink right for details, you can pre-book your Falkirk Wheel boat trip via the website).

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Linlithgow Palace & Linlithgow

Famed for the historic ruins of Linlithgow Palace the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots, there's a choice of other attractions in and around Linlithgow including the superb Linlithgow Canal Centre on the Edinburgh Union Canal, The Linlithgow Story Museum on the High Street exploring the town's links with royalty and two glorious country parks at Beecraigs and Muiravonside.

Hardly surprising that Linlithgow Palace, idyllically situated as it is by Linlithgow Loch, was a favoured residence of the Stewarts. Mary Queen of Scots was born here in December 1542, and became queen just a few days after her birth. The ruins are impressive and include the Great Hall and the inner courtyard fountain. All of the Stewart kings lived at Linlithgow Palace at some point. See the Historic Scotland Palace weblink right for opening times.

You can take a walk round the stunning Linlithgow Loch, and move into Linlithgow centre to view the 16th century St Michaels Church.

Linlithgow Palace, Kirkgate, Linlithgow, West Lothian, EH49 7AL. Tel. 01506 842896.

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The Linlithgow Canal Centre & the Edinburgh Union Canal

Not to be missed, and integral to the history of the Linlithgow area, is the Linlithgow Canal Centre (weblink right) on the Edinburgh Union Canal. The Edinburgh Union canal stretches for Thirty one and a half miles from Edinburgh to Falkirk, ending at the Falkirk Wheel which now connects it to the Forth & Clyde Canal to Glasgow. On the way the Edinburgh Union passes Linlithgow, and here at the Linlithgow Canal Centre on the Manse Road Basin you can hop aboard canal boat trips, relax in the tea room and find out all about the history of Edinburgh's canal networks in the little museum.

Housed in the former canal stable, the Linlithgow Canal Museum has exhibits, photographs and artefacts mostly on the Union Canal. Canal boat trips from here can whisk you along to the Falkirk Wheel further west. See the Linlithgow Canal Centre website right for details.

Linlithgow Canal Centre, Manse Road Basin, Linlithgow, West Lothian, Scotland EH49 6AJ. Tel. 01506 671215.

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Canal Boat History Edinburgh/Glasgow & the Millennium Link Project

On-going restoration of both the Forth & Clyde Canal and Edinburgh Union Canal, two of the UK's greatest historic canals, is currently underway. Much has been achieved already with impetus from the Millennium Link Project (weblink right) and the construction of the Falkirk Wheel which is attracting huge numbers of visitors.

The Forth & Clyde Canal - the Glasgow stretch in the grand scheme to build a canal network from Glasgow to Edinburgh was begun as far back as 1768. Building from east to west, construction took a long 22 years (they had to stop building for a few years due to lack of funds!). Beginnng on the banks of the Firth of Forth at Grangemouth, the Forth & Clyde Canal stretches all the way to Bowling just south of Dumbarton, branching off briefly to Port Dundas.

The Forth and Clyde Canal closed finally in 1963, but since the formation and lobbying of the Forth and Clyde Canal Society in the early 1980s, it saw a glorious reopening in 2001 (the Millennium Link Project played a big part with investment around 78 million pounds, the largest canal restoration project in the UK!). The Falkirk Wheel opened the following year, in May 2002.

For a comprehensive history of the Forth & Clyde Canal see the Society's website right, which also has information on canal boat hire, canal boat trips, places to see, eat and go around the canal and good maps. The Linlithgow Canal Centre at Manse Road Basin on the West Lothian stretch of the Edinburgh & Glasgow Union Canal is where to head to find out more about the Edinburgh Union Canal. The Edinburgh Union is thirty one and a half miles long, stretching from Edinburgh to Falkirk, linking into the Forth & Clyde Canal via the Falkirk Wheel. The Terminus of the Canal at the new Edinburgh Quays is under development, and looks set to be a major attraction, whilst a new stretch of the Union Canal through Wester Hailes in Edinburgh opened in 2007. For more details on ongoing regeneration projects see the Millennium Link website right for details.

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