Union Canal

The Union canal runs from Falkirk to Edinburgh, designed by Thomas Telford, built to make it easier for minerals from North Lanarkshire to be transported to Edinburgh. Over the years it fell into disuse, but has now been restored for recreational use.

The picture above is where the canal goes under the A801, going under a new bridge that was put up around ten years ago.

But today, the canal isn't much of a waterway. Well, not unless your ship is an icebreaker, anyway. The footprints at the bottom right of the photograph show just how cold it is. The snow on the ground seems to de-saturate the world too... everything looks a pale imitation of its normal self.

This time last year, as I started my marathon training, I was running along the canal every weekend. The canal follows the 240ft contour for its entire length, so it's a great place to run. But today... no, I think I'll just go home and stay warm!