The Falkirk Wheel is a rotating boat lift in Tamfourhill, Falkirk, in central Scotland, connecting the Forth and Clyde Canal with the Union Canal. It reconnects the two canals for the first time since the 1930s. It opened in 2002 as part of the Millennium Link project.
How long does it take for the Falkirk Wheel to rotate?
The Falkirk Wheel rotates at 1/8 of a revolution per minute, with one full rotation taking 4 minutes in total.
How does the Falkirk Wheel work?
The wheel uses 2 gondolas which raise boats by 24m. As the Union Canal is 11m higher than the aqueduct at the top of the wheel, boats then go through 2 locks to reach the canal. The Falkirk Wheel is one of two boat lifts in the UK – the other is the Anderton boat lift in Cheshire, north west England.
How much does it cost to use the Falkirk Wheel?
Prices: Adult £13.50. Concession £12.00 (anyone over 60, holding an Access Card, full time Student or Falkirk Council Tax Payer. We may ask to see proof of age or status)
Where is the boat lift in Scotland? – Related Questions
Can any boat use The Falkirk Wheel?
Yes, use of the Wheel is free to all private pleasure boat licence holders. It is best to book your passage time ahead.
Can you get a boat from Falkirk wheel to kelpies?
There is no boat from the Falkirk Wheel to the Kelpies. If you look on the FAQs on the Scottish Canals website you can see what they say. There is a 5 mile walk between the 2 visitor attractions through Callendar Park.
Can you see The Falkirk Wheel for free?
Of course, you can just go to the Visitor Centre for free and watch the wheel in motion from canal side, so you don’t need spend money on the boat trip to see the Falkirk Wheel in action.
How far apart are the kelpies and The Falkirk Wheel?
It’s about 4.5 miles.
Is there a toilet on The Falkirk Wheel?
Are there toilets along the trail? There are toilets at The Helix 8am – 10pm and at The Falkirk Wheel open 10am-5.30pm.
How do you get on the Falkirk?
By car: From Edinburgh, take the M9 toward Stirling to Junction 8, then follow brown and white signs. From Glasgow, off the M80, then M876 and exit M876 at Junction 1. By Train: The nearest train stations are Falkirk Grahamston, Camelon or Falkirk High Station.
Can you see The Kelpies for free?
You can visit The Kelpies free of charge any time of the day, 365 days of the year due to their prime location in The Helix park. The area around the massive sculptures has been designed to give access for all, meaning everyone can come and see them up close.
Is Falkirk closer to Glasgow or Edinburgh?
It lies in the Forth Valley, 231⁄2 miles (38 kilometres) northwest of Edinburgh and 201⁄2 miles (33 km) northeast of Glasgow. 35,590 (mid-2020 est.)
Is The Falkirk Wheel worth it?
The Falkirk Wheel is a fantastic day out with a difference and accessible to everyone! With boat trips, a cafe, gift shop, children’s activity zone, water play park & mini-canal, waterwalkerz, canoeing, bike hire and woodland walks; there really is something for everyone!
Are The Kelpies worth seeing?
If you’re looking for an awesome roadside pitstop in Scotland or day out from Edinburgh, you MUST visit The Kelpies! These two mammoth horse head sculptures are part of The Helix, a community park for the public to enjoy while they are in the area.
Are The Kelpies lit up all night?
According to the Press and Journal (November 2014), “the Kelpies are lit up with LED lights an hour after sun down every night. Light-up time changes throughout the year according to the weather and season.”
Can you see The Falkirk Wheel at night?
I think they are floodlit from when it gets dark. They tend to stay the same colour for a week then they change – often the colour at night supports various charity weeks. As far as I’m aware the Falkirk wheel is illuminated at night.
Are The Kelpies closer to Glasgow or Edinburgh?
The Kelpies are located off the M9 in Falkirk – 19 miles from Edinburgh and 35 miles from Glasgow.
Can you park a motorhome at The Falkirk Wheel?
Motor home accommodation at the Falkirk Wheel
Some overnight parking is available for a fee of £15 per night, with a £20 key deposit. Stays are limited to three nights per visit.
What are the names of the two kelpies?
Modeled on two Clydesdale draft horses named Duke and Baron, these massive metal equines carry the same names and stand 30 meters tall, each weighing some 300 metric tons. It’s difficult to project the scale of these critters until you stand next to them even with a photo like this one.
How much is it to go inside The Kelpies?
£6.50 Adult | £5.50 Concession | 2 kids go free for every paying adult.