Falkirk Wheel Scotland

Falkirk Wheel, Scotland

The world's first and only rotating boat lift - The Falkirk Wheel

Falkirk Wheel in Falkirk 15 km southeast of Stirling in Scotland is a marvel of modern engineering and science.

Partially financed with Millennium funds, the Falkirk Wheel restores the link between the Forth and Clyde and Union canals.

The Falkirk Wheel is the only rotating boat lift of its type in the world. It was designed by Tony Kettle then of the RMJM group of architects founded in Edinburgh. It stands with the Glenfinnan Viaduct in Glenfinnan and the Forth Bridge as outstanding examples of Scottish architecture.

Inspirations for the design include a Celtic double headed axe or spear, a whale's ribcage, the spine of a fish or the propeller of a ship built on Clydebank near Glasgow.

Falkirk Wheel, Falkirk, Scotland. — The Falkirk Wheel and Visitors' Centre

Goods From Japan delivered to your home or business. — Goods From Japan delivered to your home or business

History

The building of the Forth and Clyde and Union canals linking Edinburgh and Glasgow transformed the town of Falkirk.

A series of 11 locks once linked the two waterways but the coming of the railways meant they fell into disrepair and were built over.

The huge Falkirk Wheel which opened in 2002 as part of the Millennium Link Project means that Scotland's capital and largest city are once again connected by canal.

A huge rotating boat lift in the shape of an ancient Gaelic double-headed axe can scoop up boats in its huge caissons and transport them utilizing huge gears and the Archimedes Principle the 115 feet between the two waterways.

The wheel raises vessels by 24 metres (79 feet), but there is still a difference of 11 metres (36 feet) to reach the Union Canal. Boats therefore pass through a pair of locks from the top of the wheel.

Queen Elizabeth II opened the Falkirk Wheel during her Golden Jubilee celebrations in 2002.

At the site there is an interesting visitors' center explaining how it is all done plus 1-hour boat tours of the canals which include a ride on the wheel.

The Kelpies

The Kelpies are another superb piece of modern architecture. They are a pair of truly monumental-scale statues towering over the countryside near Falkirk that have been visited by millions since their opening to the public in 2014. Two gleaming horse heads, 100 ft (30 meters) tall are clad in stainless steel panels and sit astride a canal lock.

The stainless steel panels are attached to structural steel frames and each statue weighs 300 tons. They were built in 2013 and designed by artist Andy Scott. The Kelpies sit astride a lock on a new extension of the Forth & Clyde Canal near where the canal connects with the River Carron.

The giant statues are part of a major development in the area named The Helix, that includes performance areas, sports parks, watersports, play areas, all connected by footpaths, cycleways, and of course the canals.

The wheel is operated by Scottish Canals. — The wheel is operated by Scottish Canals

Access

Falkirk Wheel
Lime Rd
Falkirk FK1 4RS

Falkirk is approximately 23 miles from both the Scottish capital, Edinburgh (M9 motorway) and Glasgow (M80 motorway), Scotland's largest city. Driving time is about 40 minutes from both cities.

Rail

Falkirk High Station has trains to Edinburgh Waverley Station in Edinburgh (30-40 minutes), and Queen Street Station in Glasgow (18-26 minutes depending on the service).

From Edinburgh Waverley there are connections to King's Cross Station in London via York Station in York.

There are trains from Glasgow Central to Birmingham New Street, London King's Cross (East Coast), Newcastle and Manchester Airport via Manchester Piccadilly with First TransPennine Express with connections to Liverpool.

Falkirk Grahamston is on both the Edinburgh to Dunblane Line and also the Cumbernauld Line to Glasgow via via Cumbernauld. There are connections from Falkirk Grahamston to Stirling, Edinburgh Waverley, Dunblane and Glasgow Queen Street.

Bus

The number #6 bus connects Falkirk town centre and Falkirk Wheel.

It's worth renting a car if you are touring this part of Scotland along with the remote areas of the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park.

Accommodation

Falkirk has several places to stay close to The Helix and the Kelpies. Choose from the Helix Hotel or The Macdonald Inchyra Hotel & Spa.

The Orchard Hotel is close to Falkirk Grahamston Station and more convenient for the Wheel.

In nearby Stirling some recommendations include the four-star Stirling Highland Hotel, the three-star Golden Lion Hotel or the four-star Hotel Colessio housed in an original Victorian building.

More budget options include Stirling Youth Hostel or the Holiday Inn Express Stirling.

See a listing of hotels in Stirling