Falkirk Wheel

Whilst on holiday in Scotland recently we visited various spots along the lowland canals

The Falkirk Wheel which joins the Forth and Clyde Canal to the Union Canal was a must - this view is what you see as you leave the car park

the trip boat was just rising in the wheel

in the cassion waiting for the connection to open onto the aquaduct

the trip boat entering the cassion as we sit with our lunch outside the cafe.  We had asked if Molly (our very small dog) could go on the trip boat with us - 'No' the lady said, ' the trip takes nearly an hour, you wouldn't want your dog on a boat that long'  I had to bite my lip to stay quiet - never mind we will go up here in our own boat sometime in the future.

the undercarriage

that's the gate which allows access to the cassion from the Forth and Clyde Canal

plenty of useful information boards around the area

The Falkirk Wheel in all its glory!

The kelpie is a supernatural water horse from Celtic folklore that is believed to haunt the rivers and lochs of Scotland and Ireland; the name may be from Scottish Gaeliccailpeach or colpach 'heifer, colt.'^[1]

lots of visitor moorings most with electricity and water

the aquaduct taken from the Union Canal

the other end of the arches is where the wheel rises to join the aquaduct on the Union Canal

trip boat approaching Roughcastle Tunnel 108 yards

and out onto the Union Canal's Lock 1

and it's very deep

lock 1 Union Canal, Scotland

sculptures abound

Alvechurch hire boat Little Weaver enters the cassion alongside the trip boat ready to descend onto the Forth and Clyde Canal to return to base at the end of their holiday which they told us they'd thoroughly enjoyed.

BW operators processing them locking them through after descending on the wheel.

BW operatives manage all the locks and lift bridges on these two canals.

what a good idea!