The Union Canal

The Union Canal is a canal in Scotland, running from Falkirk to Edinburgh, constructed to bring minerals, especially coal, to the capital. It was opened in 1822 and was initially successful, but the construction of railways, particularly the Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway, opened in 1842, diminished its value as a transport medium. It fell into slow commercial decline and became disused in the 1930s.

It shares in the revival of interest in canals generally at the present day, and received a boost when the Millennium Link was completed in 2000, reconnecting it to the Forth and Clyde Canal. It is now in popular use for leisure purposes.