Canals

Forth & Clyde Canal

 

The canal, completed in 1790, stretched from Bowling on the Clyde to the new town of Grangemouth on the Forth, a distance of some 35 miles. Scenes from the Falkirk area's industrial past cluster along the canal, and there are several interesting inns and restaurants along its length, including a restored stable at Underwood and a converted distillery bonded warehouse at Rosebank. There is also the Union Inn, built by the canal company to provide refreshment for travellers transferring between the Union and Forth & Clyde canals, which met at a large basin in front of the inn.

 

 

Union Canal

 

This contour canal was begun in 1818 and ran from Edinburgh to Falkirk. It was completed in 1822 by the construction of a system of locks stepping down to join the Forth and Clyde canal at Port Downie, west of Lock 16. In the last mile of this waterway was built the first communications tunnel in Scotland. The towing path enables visitors to view the stalactites which have formed over the years. Another impressive feature is the Avon Aqueduct, near Muiravonside Country Park. It stands 86 feet above the River Avon and carried the canal in a cast iron trough on an elegant series of arches.

 

 

Restoration of the Canals

 

As a result of the Millennium Project and the creation of the Falkirk Wheel| the Forth & Clyde and Union canals were returned to full navigation in 2001 allowing people to travel from Edinburgh to Glasgow and from the North Sea to the Atlantic.  As well as visiting the Wheel itself there are a variety of other activities surrounding the canals such as boat trips and hire|, cycling| and walking.