Narrowboat Holidays in Scotland

Scottish Canal closure: updated 3 September
Due to a breach between Polmont and Muiravonside, which lies between our base at Falkirk and Edinburgh, the Grand Union Canal in Scotland is currently closed and most likely will not re-open for the rest of the 2020 season.

Canal boat holidays from our base at Falkirk are still available for cruising along the Forth & Clyde Canal as far as Stockingfield Junction, on the outskirts of Glasgow. You can read more about those short break options below.

2021 holidays are available to book as normal.

Canal Boat Holidays In Scotland

Canal boating in Scotland offers you the opportunity to make the most of the beautiful Scottish countryside together with visits to the historical cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Originally created to transport coal, the canals in Scotland are now mostly used by leisure craft for canal boat holidays and offer a great variety on your route, including tunnels, the tallest aqueduct in Scotland over the River Avon and swing bridge locks.

Boating holidays in Scotland are tremendously popular and travelling on the Forth and Clyde canal is a great way to enjoy the beautiful Scottish scenery.

Short Break Holidays in Scotland 2020

If you wish to enjoy a 3 or 4 night narrowboat break in Scotland this autumn, then the following options are available to cruise:

• Falkirk Wheel trip rotation. Approx. 2hrs

From the Forth & Clyde through Jubilee lock, onto the Falkirk Wheel, exit at the top cruise through a short tunnel and into the basin. Turn around and back down the wheel.

• Falkirk – Kelpies (East on Forth & Clyde) approx. 4 hrs

Cruise down through the 15 locks to the Kelpies. All locks are manned and you need to book the crossing there and back – usual bookings are made for 9am or 1pm. Stay overnight at the base of the Kelpies and enjoy the stunning sights and scenery and then travel the same way back up to Falkirk.

• Falkirk – Auchinstarry (West on F & C) Approx 4hrs

Cruise across the Bonnybridge Lift Bridge (approx. 30mins cruising from Falkirk, pre-booking required) continue through locks 17 – 20 (all manned) and up to Auchinstarry.

• Falkirk – Kirkintilloch (West on F & C) Approx 6.5hrs

As above to Auchinstarry. Once past Auchinstarry continue through another 2 bridges (both manned) through Twechar and Hillhead to Kirkintilloch.

Guests wanting to visit Glasgow are advised to moor up at Kirkintilloch and get a train from Lenzie or to at Auchinstarry and get a train from Croy.

Holidays in Scotland 2021

You can choose to spend a relaxing week cruising between Falkirk and Glasgow, or alternatively you can explore Scotland in the opposite direction, heading east, on the Union Canal between Falkirk and Edinburgh.  If you fancy a more strenuous short break you can reach one of these cities and return, or alternatively many guests enjoy a two week trip here to take in both of these sights.

One of the highlights of a canal boat holiday in Scotland is the Falkirk Wheel.  This feat of modern engineering is quite breathtaking to see in action.  It was created to rejoin the the Forth and Clyde and the Union canal which had been split following the demolition of an 11 lock flight.  Standing at 115 feet high, the Wheel is the world’s first and only rotating boat lift and was opened by the Queen in May 2002.

A huge thank you to everyone who took part in the #RevolutionFestival‘s #LockNPaddle this morning! It. Was. EPIC! pic.twitter.com/wMifWTOjTL

— The Falkirk Wheel (@FalkirkWheel) June 29, 2019

Boating holidays in Scotland are available from our Falkirk canal boat hire base, which is located at the Wheel. From here you can hire a boat sleeping between 2 and 6 persons and cruise along the Clyde canal and the Union Canal.

Top Towns to Visit in Scotland

Glasgow

A Scottish holiday would not be complete without a visit to Scotland’s biggest city.  Glasgow  ranks as one of the world’s top tourist destinations according to the Lonely Planet guide and once you delve into its long history you soon start to discover why.  You can cruise here your boating holiday in Scotland from our hire base at Falkirk to Glasgow along the Forth and Clyde canal.

Coming to prominence in medieval times, Glasgow became a major shipbuilding city and port with links all over the world.  Now, it makes for a stylish Scottish holiday with its 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, including the School of Art, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum and the People’s Palace – plenty to keep you going!

Across the year Glasgow becomes host to many festivals including the Glasgow International Comedy Festival, Glasgow International Jazz Festival, Celtic Connections, Glasgow Fair, Glasgow Film Festival, West End Festival, Merchant City Festival and the World Pipe Band Championships.

Edinburgh

On your canal holiday to Edinburgh, you’ll cruise the Union Canal up to Ratho, which is home to the Edinburgh Canal Centre. A popular stop, you’ll find a choice of places for shopping and dining.  From here it’s an easy bus ride into the centre of Edinburgh where you can easily while away the day exploring this lovely part of Scotland, visiting all the lovely attractions.   Most famous of these is the stunning Edinburgh Castle, sitting high on volcanic rock and overlooking the 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.

Don’t forget you also have the famous Edinburgh Festival which takes place every year over the last three weeks in August.  The city comes to life with every nook and cranny becoming a theatre venue, with live music and street theatre bringing real vibrancy to every part of the area.  Early booking is advised at this time, as this is a very popular time to holiday in Scotland.

Top Nature Spots

Linlithgow lock

Popular for water sports and is also a notable spot for bird watching. It is three quarters of a mile long and makes a nice walk if you are in need of stretching your legs.  Dominated by Linlithgow Palace, the loch is a spectacular place to fish with stocked rainbows released weekly throughout the season.

Top Small Towns You May Never Have Heard Of But Should Visit

On the Edinburgh canal boat route, your journey will take you through the ancient village of Linlithgow. This royal burgh lies south of two famous landmarks, Linlithgow Palace and Linlithgow Loch. 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, worth a visit and a stop off for a picnics.

Heading towards Glasgow you should make time to stop off at the village Auchinstarry to explore it’s Roman fort, and then Kirkintilloch, which dates back to the 13th century.

Top Views Across the Countryside

If you cruise along the Union Canal towards Glasgow you’ll cross the magnificent Almond Aqueduct, which is 420 feet long and carries the canal 76 feet above the River Almond.  Great views to be had across the beautiful Scottish countryside here.

Top Canal Attractions

One of the highlights of a canal boat holiday in Scotland is the Falkirk Wheel.  This feat of modern engineering is quite breathtaking to see in action.  It was created to rejoin the the Forth and Clyde and the Union canal which had been split following the demolition of an 11 lock flight.  Standing at 115 feet high, the Wheel is the world’s first and only rotating boat lift and was opened by the Queen in May 2002.

Top Kids Attractions

The Water Activity Zone underneath the Falkirk Wheel offers canoeing sessions and fun with waterwalkerz – the giant inflatable balls that kids love to climb inside and try to walk in!

There is also a Children’s Activity Zone by the Wheel where the little ones can run off some steam in the play park and nature trail. The new Mini Canal and Water Play Area will give children and adults alike a really vibrant, hands-on connection with The Falkirk Wheel and the Scottish canals.

FAQ’s

Does Scotland have canals?

Yes! Scottish canals are the Caledonian, Crinan, Forth & Clyde, Union and Monkland canals which are operated by The Scottish Canals. In total, there is a 137 mile canal network that The Scottish Canals maintain.

Can I hire a canal boat in Scotland?

Yes, Black Prince offer canal boat hire from Falkirk in Stirlingshire.

Why were canals built in Scotland?

By the middle of the 18th century, the expansion of trade had developed so significantly that a new way of transporting goods was needed. The rivers in Scotland were difficult to navigate and land across land was slow and unreliable. The Union Canal, for example, running from Falkirk to Edinburgh, was constructed to bring minerals, especially coal, to the capital.