Visitscotland The Falkirk Wheel Falkirk Boatlift Welcome

you are now in: Scotland / Argyll, the Isles, Loch Lomond, Stirling and Trossachs / Falkirk and The Forth Valley / Falkirk / The Falkirk Wheel

Homepage

Contact

Manager

Lime Road
Tamfourhill
Falkirk
Stirlingshire
FK1 4RS
Scotland

Tel:
+44 (8700) 500208
Fax:
+44 (1324) 671224
E-Mail
Website

The Falkirk Wheel

There are many events at The Falkirk Wheel over the next couple of months such as the Anthony Nolan Abseil on 23 March, a Craft Fair from 22 - 24 March and the World Challenge Abseil on 26 April

Measuring 115 feet, The Falkirk Wheel is the world's only rotating boatlift and is used to connect the Forth & Clyde and Union canals in central Scotland.

This magnificent, mechanical marvel has been constructed to 21st Century, state-of-the-art engineering and it is already being recognised as an iconic landmark worthy of Scotland's traditional engineering expertise.

Designed to replace a series of lock gates built in the 19th Century - long since demolished and replaced by housing - The Falkirk Wheel is the showpiece of the Millennium Link project where coast-to-coast navigation of the canals has been re-established for the first time in over 40 years.

The Forth & Clyde was opened in 1773 and extended from Grangemouth on the River Forth, to Bowling on the River Clyde. The Union (or Edinburgh & Glasgow Union) canal was opened much later in 1822 and operated from Edinburgh to Falkirk with a series of locks connecting the two canals at Port Downie in Camelon.

These were demolished years ago and for decades there has been no through traffic on the canals. Special group rates are available and the visitor centre is available at no cost to sit and view The Falkirk Wheel or have a delicious coffee and a wide variety of quality foods.

Boat trips on the canals can be also arranged at competitive rates. For visitors taking the boat trip, the entire 'Wheel Experience' will last approximately 60 minutes round trip and for the ascent and descent through the Wheel.

Opening Hours

The new Spring/Summer season starts at The Falkirk Wheel on Thursday 21 March 2008, with opening hours extended to seven days a week from 9.30 am to 6.00 pm. British Waterways Scotland is encouraging everyone to explore and enjoy one of the world’s most unique visitor attractions.