Scottish canal Flotilla 200 planned for May
The Falkirk Wheel, The world’d only rotating boat lift in Scotland, UK. It connects the Forth and Clyde Canal with the Union Canal. Named after the nearby town of Falkirk in central Scotland, the lift opened in 2002. The two canals it serves were previously connected by a series of 11 locks, but by the 1930s these had fallen into disuse. The locks were filled in and the land built upon.
©peter Sandground
A major flotilla will take place 20-22 May 2022, encompassing the 31.5 miles of the Union Canal to celebrate the 200th anniversary of its opening.
Connecting Edinburgh to Glasgow, via the Falkirk Wheel and the Forth & Clyde Canal, the Union Canal passes through some spectacular scenery.
Flotilla 200 will commence from both ends of the canal, with boats initially mustering at Lochrin Basin Edinburgh, and the Falkirk Wheel, before setting out on their way. Two flotillas will converge on the Saturday afternoon at Manse Road Basin in Linlithgow, one of the original stabling and staging posts, and still home to the very active Linlithgow Union Canal Society.
Scottish Waterways for All, working in partnership with Scottish Canals and numerous other organisations, is behind the event.
Pat Bowie, chair of Scottish Waterway’s for All says: “The format of having two flotillas travelling simultaneously from both ends of the canal will provide maximum opportunities for local communities to not only spectate, but to get involved. A number of individual muster points are being organised where local organisations can host a festival atmosphere of stalls and entertainment, providing ideal locations for the flotilla to pause and join in the fun. We are interested in hearing from any groups or community organisations who would like to help out or host a muster point.”
The Union Canal passes over a number of mighty aqueducts, including the Avon Aqueduct near Linlithgow – one of the UK’s highest and longest examples.
Flotilla 200 will be one of many events being hosted to celebrate this important milestone in the history of the canal network. Boats can register their involvement in the flotilla on the Flotilla 200 website.
