Saturday 13 November 2010

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!

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