Falkirk Wheel connects the Forth and Clyde Canal s with the Union Canal. The Wheel opened in 2002. It reconnects the two famous canals for the first time since the 1930s. The cost was £84.5million .I really enjoyed my time here. You can add a trip to the Kelpies as part of a Falkirk day out.
The Forth & Clyde and Union Canals were linked by a staircase of 11 locks which took nearly a day to transit. These were dismantled in 1933.
The Falkirk wheel raises boats 79 ft to Union Canal but is still 36 ft higher than the aqueduct which meets the wheel.
This boat lift is the only rotating lift of its kind in the world.
The direction of rotation changes every five cycles.
Above The ring gears.
A visitor centre is located on the east side of the lower basin. Boat trips on the wheel depart approximately once an hour.
