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Falkirk Wharf in Stirlingshire

Lime Road, Tamfour Hill, Falkirk. FK1 4RS

Things to do from Falkirk Wharf

The marina is based next to the Falkirk Wheel which connects the Forth and Clyde canal to the Union canal.

Falkirk - Take a trip on the stunning Falkirk Wheel the world's first rotating boat lift. Opened in 2002 by the Queen this remarkable lift is a piece of working art and a monument to the future. Experience the thrill of the Wheel as you are lifted 115 ft from the Forth and Clyde to the Union Canal. The town of Falkirk has a number of historical buildings, museums and galleries to visit.

Callendar House - Telling stories that span 600 years of Scottish history this house has played host to many great historical figures over the centuries, including Mary, Queen of Scots, Cromwell and Bonnie Prince Charlie. Experience life in the 1820s and sample authentic Georgian food and discover what life was like below stairs as the kitchen staff go about their daily tasks. Pop into the gift shop or the The Park Gallery and stay for a cream tea at the Teashop at the Stables.

Edinburgh - Steeped in history and a thriving cultural scene the City of Edinburgh offers the perfect balance between all things traditional and contemporary. Enjoy whisky tasting and experience for yourself the varying aromas and flavours at the Whisky Heritage Centre. Meet an expert who will help you select the perfect dram visit the shop with its large collection of Whiskies. At Our Dynamic Earth be shaken by volcanoes, fly over glaciers, feel the chill of polar ice, and even get caught in a tropical rainstorm. Explore our planet's past and present, take your crew seat in the all new Future Dome to travel forward in time to debate our planet's future.

Glasgow - The city is one of the liveliest and most cosmopolitan destinations in Europe and is set against a backdrop of outstanding Victorian architecture many designed in the unique style of Rennie Mackintosh. Glasgow boasts world famous art collections, numerous museums and galleries and the best shopping in the United Kingdom outside London. For young and old a visit to the Science Centre is a must, view the hundreds of interactive exhibits and take a ride skywards on the Glasgow Tower for unrivalled views of the city and surrounding countryside. At The Museum of Transport learn the history of transport from the first motor car to the ship building on the River Clyde. See the oldest surviving pedal cycle and the finest collection in the world of Scottish-built cars including such world famous makes as Argyll, Arrol Johnson and Albion.

Port Dundas - an area of Glasgow developed as a canal basin and forming the terminus of the Forth and Clyde Canal. Boats can reach the attractive old Canal Company offices at Spiers Wharf, now a modern new development. The port will be of great interest to canal and industrial archaeology enthusiasts.

Directions

By Road : Take the A8 road for Glasgow and the west. At Newbridge roundabout take the M9 west for Stirling.Take the slip road off for Falkirk (Junction 5). Signs on the M9 indicate you should continue straight ahead for the Falkirk Wheel, but if you do not leave the motorway at junction 5 you will end up at the wrong car park.Once off at junction 5, follow the signs for the Falkirk Wheel/Mariner Centre, which will take you past Falkirk Football Stadium and an ASDA distribution centre.This will eventually bring you to the Rosebank Beefeater restaurant at the Forth and Clyde Canal.At the roundabout here take a left and cross the canal (signposted for the Falkirk Wheel Service and disabled entrance).Immediately across the canal at the mini roundabout turn right. You will now be driving with the canal on your right hand side and can follow the yellow AA Falkirk Wheel signs from here.At the second mini roundabout you come to (with the Union Inn in front of you), go left up the hill and then take the first right.At the next mini roundabout, turn right to enter the Falkirk Wheel site, park on the right, come down the hill, walk through reception, turn right and our office is facing you. The base is adjacent to the magnificent Falkirk Wheel visitor centre.

By Rail: From Glasgow Queen Street or Edinburgh station take a train to either Falkirk High or Falkirk Grahamston station (about 30 minutes). The most frequent service is to Falkirk High Station. Either station in Falkirk is a short taxi journey to the Falkirk Wheel. For information about train timetables and ticket costs for all mainline rail transport please go to www.thetrainline.com

By Air : Landing at either Edinburgh or Glasgow airport you can take a bus to the city centre and then a train as above. From Edinbugh airport a taxi directly to Falkirk takes about 30 minutes.



The Falkirk Cruising Routes Map

Routes :

Scotland's Lowlands | Bowling & Return | Edinburgh & Glasgow


The Scottish Lowland Canals are quite different from the canals typical of England and Wales.
The Forth & Clyde Canal is much wider than the average English canal. The Union Canal is a contour canal and has no locks at all nor bridges that have to be opened. British Waterways staff currently operate all of the locks and bridges and boaters are not allowed to operate the locks themselves, although help is happily accepted. Between Falkirk and Glasgow there are 4 locks and 3 road bridges, with a further 18 locks and a number of pedestrian bridges between Glasgow and the Clyde at Bowling.

Both the Forth & Clyde and Union Canals were closed in the early 1960’s and it was not until lottery funding was obtained in 1999 that restoration works rejoined the cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh by canal. At a quarter of the cost of the overall £84.5 million project, the Falkirk Wheel is the most significant structure by far, but only one link in the scheme involving rebuilding bridges, clearing blockages and cutting new stretches of canal.

For more facts and figures visit www.thefalkirkwheel.co.uk 01324 619888, but in summary the 25m level difference between the canals is traversed via a pair of gondolas which together carry 600 tonnes of water to the 100m aqueduct at the top of the 35m diameter wheel.
TIC 01324 620244 www.scottish.heartlands.org

There is no charge for the Falkirk Wheel but it is advisable to book beforehand 01324 676912. Trips operate approximately every half hour from 9.00am to 7.00pm daily, each revolution taking one narrowboat and the British Waterways trip boat. Information will be sent with your booking confirmation.

 


Bowling & return

The Bowling and Return Cruising Route Map


1 week, 40 hours, 48 locks

The Forth & Clyde Canal follows the Clyde Estuary all the way down to the old shipbuilding
village of Bowling – a pleasant boating haven.

The route has a rich mix of industry old & new, stunning views of the Clyde and relics of the ship-building era.

 


Edinburgh & Glasgow (start & finish Falkirk)

The Edinburgh and Glasgow Cruising Route Map


1 week, 42 hours, 14 locks, twice via the wheel

Complete the width of Scotland, and back, visiting both cities in a one week holiday. If you are heading east, towards Edinburgh, you will have to arrange your passage via the wheel before you arrive for your holiday.

Find out more at 01324 619888 www.thefalkirkwheel.co.uk.

Customer Testimonial

I had to write and tell you what a wonderful time we had on one of your boats. We went from Union Wharf and found the whole experience fantastic. The standard of service shown by your staff and the quality of boat was amazing. None of us had ever been on a narrow boat before but by the time the training was over we felt confident to hit the canal. We had such a good time that even the weather did not matter. Will we be doing it again? Definitely YES! Will we go with you again? You Betcha!. Best regards, Tony Whitmore

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