Holidays, Short Breaks and the Routes
The Canals
The Union Canal links Edinburgh to the Falkirk Wheel through wonderful countryside, tunnels and over dramatic aqueducts.
The Forth & Clyde Canal follows the the Clyde estuary all the way down to the old shipbuilding village of Bowling - a pleasant boating haven. The canal has a rich mix of industry, old and new as well as stunning views of the Clyde and relics of Glasgow's once proud shipbuilding era.
One Week Holidays
A weeks holiday allows you to visit both Glasgow and Edinburgh which means that you will get to travel on the wheel twice.
Short Breaks
Choose to take a 3 or 4 night break and cruise from Falkirk to either of the famous cities of Edinburgh or Glasgow.
If the big cities don't appeal to you, why not visit the historic towns of Linlithgow (see below) or Kirkintilloch?
Short break from Falkirk
Falkirk Wheel & Linlithgow
13½ hours cruising - 14 locks - Twice via the wheel - 2 bridges
Day 1
Start your break from our base at the foot of the Falkirk Wheel and travel west along the Forth & Clyde Canal , under Bonnybridge lift bridge and up four locks through Lock 20 where you can moor overnight. You might wish to visit the award-winning Glenskirlie House restaurant (7 minutes walk).
(Total cruising time 2 hours)
DAY 2
Continue westwards and spend an hour in the peace and tranquility of the summit pound before turning, and heading back to Lock 20. Travel back to Falkirk and turn into the lock for the experience of a lifetime - the Falkirk Wheel - the only rotating boatlift in the world. Once you have been lifted 115 feet you will pass through the Roughcastle Tunnel under the Antoine Wall, two new locks and a mile of new canal. This is the point where a flight of 11 locks used to join the Union Canal to the Forth & Clyde.
Continuing eastwards, you will pass through the old 696 yard Falkirk Tunnel with its stalactites, across the Avon Aqueduct (85 feet high) and open countryside with views across the Firth of Forth.
Head for mooring up overnight at Linlithgow.
(Total cruising time 7 hours)
DAY 3
Visit Linlithgow Palace, browse round this historic town and after a leisurely lunch on board or in a local eatery, retrace your steps to the top of the Falkirk Wheel. Pass down The Wheel and travel west to Lock 16 where you might want to have an evening meal in the Union Inn or sample take-away fish and chips at the Union Chippie. Take the boat the 15 minute journey back to the Falkirk Marina for your last overnight mooring.
(Cruising time 4½ hours)
DAY 4
Vacate the boat by 9.30 am and perhaps buy a memento of your trip in the Falkirk Wheel Visitor Centre.