The Falkirk Wheel
The Falkirk Wheel was completed in 2002 and is described as "A Modern Day Miracle of Design and Engineering". The 35 metre high rotating boat lift is the first and only one of its kind, joining the Forth and Clyde Canal to the lower level Union Canal; and is now a popular tourist attraction.
There is a free car park by the canal and then it is only a short walk, crossing the swing bridge, until you glimpse the iconic structure
It is a breath-taking feat of engineering that enthrals all who see it - not just grown ups! The area is so geared up for families that you could easily come here and spend at least half a day enjoying the activities.
As you watch the tourist canal boat approach The Wheel, it is a surprise how the boat becomes cradled within the structure, and then scooped out of the water. At the same time a boat that was waiting on the higher level is rotated downwards, slowly and gently until both cradles are at opposite points again.
Surprisingly the cradle can hold more than one boat!
The Wheel connects Glasgow with Edinburgh by canal now, replacing 11 locks that were abandoned in the 1930's; and there is information everywhere describing how it has been built, what materials were used and how much it costs to run.............just as much a kettle boiling!
There is a huge modern Visitor Centre that caters for all needs; this is where you can buy tickets to go on the canal boat trips, although you can always get them on the Scottish Canals website. There is a cafe in the Visitor Centre, toilets, a gift shop - selling all sorts of gifts specific to the area and somewhere to buy ice creams. Outside is the Eureka Play zone where children can learn new things about the world whilst playing in the Sand Pit, the Water Play area and the Willow Maze.
Who would have thought that Archimedes Screw could ever have been part of children's playground!
There are several walking and cycling paths that take in this area, and a few walks of varying distances you can do from the Visitor Centre. There are excellent views if you walk up the hill away from the wheel and you can really appreciate the length of the structure from this different angle.
It isn't long before you come to the 110 metre long Rough Castle Tunnel, which you can walk through or walk over. If you have time, it is worth waiting to see a canal boat to come through.
Carry on walking through the woodland and you will eventually come to the Roman Fort known as Rough Castle; this is one of the prominent places to visit along the Antonine Wall; which was built in the 2nd century to keep the barbarians from venturing further south.
You do have to use some imagination here - but are helped by the information boards.
The boat I went on was aptly named The Antonine, and the other boat is called The Archimedes.
After the usual Health and Safety talk, the cradle lifted us gently up and we were soon a hundred feet above the canal basin below and heading along the steel aqueduct.
Travelling through the 110 metre long Rough Castle tunnel was very atmospheric and picturesque.
Out the other side and you could see the lock that boats went through to continue their journey, but after a while, we turned around and began our journey back to the Wheel. Everything looks so different from the opposite direction!
Travelling back along the aqueduct, the views into the distance are quite spectacular; you can see the mountains, the sea and on a clear day, you can make out Falkirk's other attraction - The Kelpies.
The tour lasted about 45 minutes and was full of interesting information about the building of this amazing structure and how it came to be. It is suitable for all ages and is something I can highly recommend.
The wheel is sometimes illuminated at night time, this is something I was really wanted to see; but there was a problem when I visited - and all I could see were the postcards!
You can start canal boat holidays from here which sound great fun; or you can walk miles in several directions enjoying the waterways. One of the most popular routes is the 8 mile walk along the canal to The Helix - to see The Kelpies. There are many photo opportunities on the way. If you want to know more about the Kelpies, you can always look at my blog :-
https://lynnejmorley.blogspot.com/2019/07/the-kelpies.html
Both The Falkirk Wheel and The Kelpies have put this area on the map; becoming really popular visitor attractions; you can easily see them both in a day if you are short on time.
If you need any more information, follow these links :-
www.the helix.co.uk/things-to-do/the-kelpies
www.scottishcanals.co.uk/falkirk-wheel
Lynne
Please check out my other blogs:-
No comments:
Post a Comment