The Lowland Canals
The Forth & Clyde Canal
Construction of the Forth and Clyde canal began in 1768. After several construction problems - mainly related to finance - the canal eventually opened in 1790, ostensibly using money forfeited from Jacobite estates. Over time the canal fell into disrepair until in 2001 as part of the £78 million Millennium Link project the canal re-opened. The restoration required the removal of 33 obstructions, dredging, renovation of old locks, repairing banks and restoring towpaths.
It now runs from Bowling Basin near Glasgow to Grangemouth heading via a new section to the River Carron and eventually emptying into the Firth of Forth. It provides coast-to-coast navigation for those wishing to explore Scotland by sea, while creating a circular network of canals.
The Union Canal
Construction of the Union Canal (formally known as the Edinburgh and Glasgow Union Canal) began in 1818 and it opened 4 years later. It was originally designed and built to transport coal into Edinburgh.
As part of the Millennium Link the Union Canal - which runs 31.5 miles from Edinburgh to Falkirk - was re-opened in 2001 and today links the heart of the Scottish Capital, Edinburgh with the Forth and Clyde Canal and the west coast of Scotland via the amazing and innovative Falkirk Wheel.
Other famous features of the canal include the Avon, Almond and Slateford Aqueducts, which are amongst the finest in Britain.
