The journey begins at the Falkirk Wheel, situated half way between Edinburgh and Glasgow and one of the most stunning backdrops to any canal in the UK. The Wheel is the world’s first rotating boat lift, cost £17million and is the height of eight double decker buses, 115 feet wide and 100 feet long.

Falkirk Wheel

After leaving the Falkirk Wheel you will travel down the Union Canal, which was originally used as a commercial waterway to transport coal before its closure in 1930. Your cruise will then take you over the magnificent Almond Aqueduct, which is 420 feet long and carries the Union Canal 76 feet above the River Almond.

Your journey heads through the villages of Linlithgow and Ratho. Linlithgow is an ancient royal burgh, which lies south of two famous landmarks, Linlithgow Palace and Linlithgow Loch.

Linlithgow Palace

Linlithgow Palace is arguably Scotland’s finest surviving late medieval building and was the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots. The grounds are home to a beautiful public park known as The Peel, which is perfect for picnics.

Linlithgow lock is popular for water sports and is also a notable spot for bird watching. It is three quarters of a mile long and contains a fishery.

Your final destination is Ratho, which is home to the Edinburgh Canal Centre. This popular stop has two restaurant boats and the much-loved Bridge Inn.

If you head into Edinburgh there are many incredible attractions to seek out. Most famous of these is the stunning Edinburgh Castle which overlooks Royal Mile, the oldest section of Edinburgh and home to a number of important landmarks, tourist shops and lots of ghostly tours. If you have time, tour the Scotch Whisky Experience and enjoy the amazing optical illusions that are a feature of Camera Obscura – both attractions are close to the castle. A short list of other popular landmarks includes the National Monument of Scotland on Calton Hill, the Scott Monument at the Prince Street Gardens and the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

Edinburgh

All routes from this base