Breach on the Union Canal

Due to a breach on the Union Canal, cruising is now limited from Falkirk Marina. 

We advise that only short breaks are booked. 

The following are the only routes you can currently take

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 - Meet the boat movement team at a prearranged time at lock 16, transit down through the 15 locks to the Kelpies. Usual bookings are made for 9am or 1pm. Staying overnight at the base of the Kelpies. All locks are manned. You are required to also book your transit back up to Falkirk

Falkirk – Auchinstarry (West on Forth & Clyde) Approx 4hrs - Meet the boat movement team at a prearranged time at Bonnybridge Lift Bridge (approx. 30mins cruising from Falkirk) continue cruising through locks 17 – 20 (all manned) and up to Auchinstarry.

Falkirk – Kirkintilloch (West on Forth & Clyde) Approx 6.5hrs - Meet the boat movement team at a prearranged time at Bonnybridge Lift Bridge (approx. 30mins cruising from Falkirk) continue cruising through locks 17 – 20 (all manned) and up to Auchinstarry. Once past Auchinstarry there are another 2 bridges that have to be opened for you Twechar & Hillhead.

Due to other factors, cruising as far as Glasgow or Bowling is also not possible. Kirkintilloch is the furthest travel point.

Falkirk Canal Boat Hire

The Scottish Lowland Canals are quite different from the canals typical of England and Wales. The Forth and Clyde canal is much wider than the average English canal, and the Union Canal is a contour canal which has no locks at all or bridges that have to be opened. 

Nestled in the heart of the Falkirk Canal is the Falkirk Wheel. At a quarter of the cost of the overall £84.5 million project, the Falkirk Wheel is the most significant structure so far, and is a must-see on your Scotland canals bucket list. From Falkirk, you can travel by water to various parts of Scotland, including Glasgow on the Forth and Clyde Canal, or venture over to Edinburgh on the Union Canal:

Information about your Scotland boating trip

Scottish Canals staff currently operate all of the locks and bridges and boaters are not allowed to operate the locks themselves, although help is happily accepted.

For more information on the Falkirk Canal, and what to do while you're there, visit thefalkirkwheel.co.uk or call 01324 619888. In summary the 25m level difference between the canals is traversed via a pair of gondolas which carry 600 tonnes of water to the 100m aqueduct at the top of the 35m diameter wheel. Not one to miss!

Rover Ticket at 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 3 nights. If your trip is 3 days or less, you will be charged £15. This ticket will be administered by Scottish Canals and payable on the first day of your holiday via the Falkirk Office.