The experience the canal is a scheduled ancient monument as well as an important. Then to get back home i used the forth and clyde canal to falkirk, where i switch to the union canal back into edinburgh. Union canal junction gazetteer canalplanac cached tue. Originally built to transport coal, the union canal opened in 1822 and played an important part in the commercial link across central scotland before the railway was established in 1842. Alternative route combining the union canal and the water of leith for a faster route to balerno and beyond, take the union canal towpath, as described above. Along the route, youll pass interesting sights on the canal such as the falkirk wheel, a rotating boat lift. Once at the top of the steps, go left to walk along the union canal towpath.
The 19th century union canal is not a park in the typical sense, but like the. It is generally easier to paddle from west glasgow to. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Built between 1818 and 1822, the union canal was designed by hugh baird and was originally used for transporting coal before competition from the railways caused it to close to commercial use in the 1930s. Follow the union canal from edinburgh quay over aqueducts, through tunnels. The canal was built at the end of the 18th and beginning of the 19th centuries, providing a more direct route between the 2 cities. Winchburgh to broxburn the upgrade of union canal towpath from winchburgh to broxburn greendykes road bridge no.
Union canal, river almond to river avon union canal towpath installation of towpath solar led lights in linlithgow 201506674 case type scheduled. The stone piers that carry the aqueduct over the river avon are massive and support a cast iron trough which carries your canal boat high above the gorge. The grand union canal as it is now called has several arms or branches, these were often built independantly but have been amalgamated over the years to form the current canal. The union canal in scotland proceeds from edinburgh through west lothian and joins the forth and clyde canal at falkirk. Trail map of the union canal trail from stonecliffe recreation area at columbia st. The name reflected the role of the canal, linking edinburgh with the forth and clyde canal at falkirk and so providing a through route. Union canal things to do in edinburgh likealocal guide. Collection level 551 64 francis m chrystal item level sc 409293 union canal, edinburgh. Using solarlite active road studs we increased safety at night for cyclists, pedestrians and wheelchair users along the union canal in edinburgh. The union canal is one of two lowland canals in scotland. After four years construction it opened in 1822 and was known as the edinburgh and glasgow union canal. Reading to blue marsh lake multiuse trail at palisades dr. The route follows national cycle network routes 75 and 754 so is well signed throughout.
The edinburgh union canal strategy is a document developed by the city of edinburgh council cec and british waterways scotland bws to guide its development and to promote a vision of the landscape and settlements along the canal. External pdf, union canal towpath west lothian council 2008 download. Click the blue circles to see a photograph taken from that spot and read further information about the location. We offer rya accredited training in helmsman, crew and first aid, educational trips, floating youth clubs and the canal college. Follow the union canal towpath from falkirk to edinburgh on this super, waterside cycling and walking route.
With the canal used by motor vessels and anglers as well as paddlers there is a potential for conflict. Scottish canals had a stand at edinburgh canal festival today 17 june 2017 with details of the towpath study so far based. If you live locally to the canal, as i do, you can take shorter journeys and then head back the way you came. I did glasgow to edinburgh on the canal once, edinburgh to glasgow once, linlithgow to edinburgh a few times too. The proposed link towards the union canal is currently being developed as part of a project to provide new cycle lanes along dundee street and will be available for consultation in early 2016. Click to mark which routes you have completed on our long distance routes page our users have contributed 3 public walk reports for the route. Pike, roach, perch, tench, dace, common bream, silver bream and ruffle can all be caught in the union canal. Cycling by water makes us healthier and happier and we work hard to make sure our towpaths are open and accessible whenever you need them. Glasgow to edinburgh via canal towpath cyclechat cycling. The trail is primarily used for walking and running. The union canal, as well as providing transport, was an important source of water for the brewery, north british rubber works and coxs glue works in edinburgh. The union canal was built in 1822, primarily to transport coal into edinburgh, but it was also used by many other industries and by passenger craft. Linlithgow is more than just the start of this cycle route. Union canal trail map stonecliffe recreation area at.
See the glasgow to edinburgh route for full details of this. At falkirk you can link up with the forth and clyde canal which will take you into glasgow. This aqueduct carries the edinburgh and glasgow union canal over the deep and wooded gorge of the river almond to the sw of lins mill. It was opened in 1822 but became disused in the 1930s. Best trails in redhall park edinburgh, scotland alltrails. Route 754 is an entirely trafficfree cycle path from edinburgh to glasgow. Closure however, the canal was closed to through navigation in 1965, and sections of it were removed, particularly through wester hailes in the western suburbs of edinburgh. Union canal walking and cycle route with cycle maps and.
You can continue ahead before ascending the steps to reach the water of leith visitor centre. Much of the trail follows ancient and historic routes of communication and. Ratho to edinburgh along the union canal walkingworld. The union canal feature page on undiscovered scotland. The forth and clyde canal follows a similar line to the roman antonine wall, sections of which are still visible, and originally had 39 locks. First proposed in 1690 to connect philadelphia with the susquehanna river, it ran approximately 82 mi from middletown on the susquehanna below harrisburg to reading on the schuylkill river. The 19th century union canal is not a park in the typical sense, but like the water of leith it provides a strip of blue and green through edinburgh from lochrin basin in fountainbridge just off lothian road to edinburgh s outskirts and beyond. This is 1 of 5 images, with title starting with union canal and in this square. B wl2b union canal towpath start, route and finish this 14.
The forth and clyde canal pathway runs between the firth of forth and the firth of clyde and is a 106kilometre 66 mi long footpath and cycleway that runs across scotland, between bowling, west of glasgow, and lochrin basin edinburgh quay in edinburgh. Union canal loop ncr 75, 754, 76 and 1 bikemap your. The union canal towpath disabled access edinburgh euan. If youre not familiar with the area, consult the appropriate spokes map or other suitable map when planning your ride. Canal access ramp steps wheeling ramp bike north birmingham railway with station metro tramline with halt advisory cycle route unsigned big birmingham bikes centre centro cycle parking hubs map key scale about the route the grand union canal begins under spaghetti junction beside star city, and the towpath. Wl2a union canal water path start, route and finish this 14. It then goes to edinburgh via airdrie, the bathgate railway path, the water of leith walkway and the union canal towpath. The 15km long stretch comprises that portion of the canal within the former boundary of midlothian. Walking route in newbridge, united kingdom, created on 100420. Edinburgh union canal towpath study consultation event. Map derived from data c openstreetmap for detailed information on each section of the canal, click on the map. This is the first time that i have knowingly cycled over 100 miles in one day. Change to interactive map grid square nt2371, 232 images more nearby photographer robin webster find more nearby.
Stockingfield junction is on the forth and clyde canal main line, 20 miles and 4 furlongs and 4 locks. This should be all you need to find the start point and. The canal towpath is open to cyclists, but watch out for the bumps and narrow sections. In fact, it links up with the forth and clyde canal at falkirk, so that you can cycle all the way from edinburgh to glasgow. Waterway gazetteer for edinburgh and glasgow union canal. Walking the union canal between lockhart bridge and ratho. Connection from telfer subway towards union canal via dundee street. They hire rowing boats and narrowboats, and they provide regular boat trips on the canal for the general public. These are ordered below with the most popular ones first. The union canal was a towpath canal that existed in southeastern pennsylvania in the united states during the 19th century. Its situation and elevation make photography difficult, but the towpath on the n side of the canal commands an impressive view to the n. Edinburgh to falkirk on the union canal britains best bike.
Reunion canal boats edinburgh 2020 all you need to know. Union canal, edinburgh, united kingdom fish around. Dec 09, 2019 re union canal boats is a social enterprise operating in edinburgh and falkirk. Walk 7034 invites you to take the train and bus from edinburgh to ratho village and stroll back eastwards on the pleasant, mostly treelined towpath of the last eight miles of the canal.
Union canal, edinburgh to falkirk remember you can upload this route to your bike satnav for turnbyturn instructions on the go. A mainly traffic free route leaving edinburgh via the union canal towpath route 754. The route starts in linlithgow on the union canal, close to the railway station, which is on the edinburgh to glasgow main line. The union canal, full name the edinburgh and glasgow union canal, is a canal in scotland, running from falkirk to edinburgh, constructed to bring minerals, especially coal, to the capital. Location and features the union canal is often described as a contour canal, following a 73metre 240 ft contour throughout its length. Sep 25, 2010 10 year celebration of the union canal, starting at edinburgh and ending up at the falkirk wheel tomorrow sun. Wl2b union canal towpath start, route and finish this 14. Edinburgh towpath delineation intelligent transport systems. Roseburn to union canal path link city of edinburgh council. The union canal follows a contour line at 73 m240 ft above sea level and has no locks at all. The edinburgh canal society, the bridge 1940 canal society and linlithgow union canal society promote general use of the canal. Union canal edinburgh to falkirk this lovely route takes you from the centre of historic edinburgh to falkirk. Wl2a union canal water path wl2b union canal towpath. Union canal rathobroxburn in newbridge, united kingdom.
The edinburgh and glasgow union canal is a broad canal and is part of the waterways of mainland britain. Paddlers should keep in regular contact with the canal staff and boat helpline for any updates on canal operationsboat movements. At the first bridge after the slateford aqueduct which is two miles from the leamington bridge, look for an ncn 75 sign indicating a path to the right. Re union canal boats operate a social enterprise building and maintaining trip boats. Places to visit include the loch near the centre of town, the 15thcentury linlithgow palace, birthplace of james v and mary queen of scots, and the. The length of the edinburgh and glasgow union canal between fountainbridge edinburgh and the river almond nt 1043 7063 to nt 2464 7785 has been accorded statutory protection by scheduling. Subcategories this category has the following 18 subcategories, out of 18 total. The final section of the canal leads into edinburgh and ends at lochrin basin, near haymarket.
At times it runs along the towpath of the union canal, a wonderful wildlife corridor and recreational space. Union canal towpath west lothian council 2008 maps. Through our work were helping more people enjoy the benefits of cycling alongside some of the countrys most stunning waterside scenery. The paddlers enjoy the right of responsible access under the soac whilst the others need a licence. Constructed along the towpath of a longdefunct canal that once zigzagged through the lebanon valley, the 6. On saturday i cycled from edinburgh to glasgow along the national cycle network route 75 except the bits where i missed some signs and got lost. Roach and perch are the most common species throughout the canal, and can easily be caught using maggots, pinkies, worms or bread as hookbait. You can use the interactive controls to zoom in and out and to move around the map, or click on a path or a marker for more info. Alert walkers by ringing your bell and always give way to. There is a towpath so you can cycle all the way down to falkirk, passing by majestic linlithgow palace, and. Union canal and towpath taken 2 months ago, near to craiglockhart, edinburgh, great britain. After leaving winchburgh you want to come off the towpath on the third bridge, or youll overshoot like i did and end up in. Cycling the union canal in edinburgh the cycling scot.
Use the online map or download a printable copy to locate six illustrated plaques. A walk along the union canal towpath between lockhart bridge in edinburgh and ratho. In june 2008 it was reopened and the canal was largely restored and is now enjoying a new lease of life as a. Historic union canal runs from edinburgh to falkirk, and at its heyday it was used to transport minerals to the scottish capital. First proposed in 1690 to connect philadelphia with the susquehanna river, it ran approximately 82 mi from middletown on the susquehanna below harrisburg to reading on the schuylkill river construction began in 1792 during the george washington administration, but. The union canal runs just over 30 miles from edinburgh quay to the falkirk wheel, the worlds first rotating boat lift. The union canal towpath carries a section of ncn 75 out of the city to the west. It was opened in 1822 and was initially successful, but the construction of railways, particularly the edinburgh and glasgow railway, which opened in 1842, diminished its value as a transport medium. Edinburgh to glasgow canals walk memory map route file. Union canal junction is a major waterways place at the junction of the forth and clyde canal main line with the edinburgh and glasgow union canal.
1008 269 1520 1476 463 783 1121 327 592 104 1090 1466 368 998 206 584 1227 516 544 374 377 1383 4 1165 480 56 698 1167 943 424 145 554 1453 1271 82 1335