Duchess 4 
As featured in…
NEED HELP PLANNING YOUR ADVENTURE?
HAVE A QUESTION?
Call today on ++44 (0)1527 575 115 and a Black Prince team member will be happy to help!
The Falkirk Wheel
Our stunning Glasgow canals and Edinburgh canal boat holiday cruise begins at the Falkirk Wheel, one of the most stunning backdrops to any canal in the UK. The Wheel, around the height of eight double decker, is the world’s first rotating boat lift.
This narrowboat cruise can be completed within 7 days, but we recommend that you book 10 to 14 days if you wish to spend time visiting the cities of Edinburgh or Glasgow.
Rover Ticket
If traveling from Falkirk a rover ticket will be charged by Scottish Canals for use of the canals. This will be a flat charge of £25 for any holiday over three nights. Use up to three days will be charged at £15. This ticket will be administered by Scottish Canals through their website and office. Payment will be taken on the first day of the Glasgow and Edinburgh holiday at the office in Falkirk.
Falkirk to Linlithgow
Upon leaving Falkirk Wheel you cruise along the Union Canal, one of the most famous of Scotland’s canals, and over the magnificent Almond Aqueduct, which is 420 feet long and carries the canal 76 feet above the River Almond.
Next, head through Linlithgow and stop off to see Linlithgow Palace, arguably Scotland’s finest surviving medieval building and birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots. The palace grounds house a beautiful public park known as The Peel, which is perfect for picnics.
Edinburgh – the Scottish Captital
Just down the water is Ratho, home to Edinburgh Canal Centre, and then the capital city itself. Edinburgh offers a mixture of beautiful iconic landmarks and symbols of contemporary British culture. Be sure to see the stunning Edinburgh Castle, walk and cycle along the Royal Mile and visit the Scotch Whisky Experience to try the ‘water of life’!
Heading west on the Forth & Clyde
Once you have finished sightseeing in Edinburgh, head back towards Falkirk and descend the Wheel to join the Forth and Clyde Canal, which is another of the best-known canals in Scotland. This will take you through splendid scenery and villages such as Auchinstarry – the site of a Roman fort, and Kirkintilloch, which dates back to the 13th century. Finally, you will pass through the picturesque Cadder Village and on to Glasgow canal.
Visit Glasgow
Glasgow, Scotland’s biggest city, is a stylish centre for a canal holiday with great shopping, nightlife and world-famous art collections. Buchanan Street is one of Britain’s finest for high-street and designer fashions and leads to the Gallery of Modern Art on Royal Exchange Square – an oasis of calm after a retail overload.
There are several magnificent museums and galleries in Glasgow to enjoy on your boating holiday in Scotland, including the School of Art, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum and the People’s Palace – plenty to keep you going!
Attractions Nearby Falkirk, Scotland
From moorings on the Union Canal, Edinburgh is an easy walk or short train ride or bus ride away. The Royal Mile, Holyrood Palace and the castle dominate the tourist trail, but there’s equal pleasure in wandering the closes and finding a café or pub tucked away. Allow a good half day at least — the city rewards time.
Perched high on Castle Rock, Edinburgh Castle dominates the skyline and the Royal Mile below. It has been a royal residence, a military stronghold and is now home to the Scottish Crown Jewels and the Stone of Destiny. The views over the city are as impressive as the history within its walls. Allow a couple of hours at least, it’s the one attraction in Edinburgh not to rush.
Glasgow has reinvented itself as a city of art, music and design, with free museums and galleries that rival any in the country. The Kelvingrove Art Gallery, the Riverside Museum and Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s architecture are standouts. From the canal, the city is a straightforward train ride, making it a practical and rewarding excursion.
Linlithgow Palace, birthplace of Mary, Queen of Scots, still towers over its loch, and it’s just a short stroll from the Union Canal. The town has a market square, historic streets and a handful of pubs and cafés. Moorings are close to the action, making this one of the most convenient and characterful stops.
The Falkirk Wheel lifts boats 115 feet between the Union and Forth & Clyde Canals — the only rotating boat lift of its kind in the world. Opened in 2002, it’s both practical and spectacular, and there’s a visitor centre explaining how it works. Even if you’re not travelling through, it’s worth watching in action.
Standing 30 metres tall, these steel sculptures by Andy Scott are a striking tribute to the working horses of Scotland’s canals. They sit in The Helix park, right beside the Forth & Clyde Canal, and are even more impressive up close than from the road. Illuminated at night, they’re one of the most photographed sights in Scotland.
Narrowboats available to hire in Falkirk, Scotland
How to book
Book our Glasgow & Edinburgh canal boat holiday by using our online Availability Search, or by calling Black Prince on 01527 575 115.
Other routes from this base