Falkirk wheel

The Falkirk Wheel was part of a Millennium funded project to regenerate activity throughout central Scotland. One of the major challenges faced was to link the Forth and Clyde Canal, which lay 35m (115ft) below the level of the Union Canal. The two canals had been joined a Falkirk by a flight of 11 locks that stepped down across a distance of 1.5km, but these were dismantled in 1933 breaking the link.

The solution to the problem of re-joining the canals came in the form of a boat lift - a perfectly balanced structure that is the Falkirk Wheel- the world's first and only rotating boat lift. This truly spectacular structure was the outcome of collaboration between a design team that combined international experience of joint venture contractor Morrison-Bachy-Soletanche with leading specialists from Ove Arup Consultants, Butterley Engineering and Scotland-based RMJM architects.

A visit provides a variety of activities including canal walks and a water play park.