Falkirk Wheel & Stirling On Your Own
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Port
Greenock (Glasgow), Scotland, United Kingdom
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Activity Level
Moderate
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Excursion Type
Local Sightseeing,All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At
$129.95
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 8 Hours
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Meals Included
Meals not included
The Falkirk Wheel is Scotland's most exciting example of modern engineering and is also a symbol heralding the dawn of Britain's new Canal Age. The Wheel's role may be simple, but its shape is far from conventional — it is an eye-catching, working sculpture.
While boat elevators are nothing new (the last one made in Britain was built in 1875), the Falkirk Wheel is very unusual. It was built to replace a staircase of eleven locks that connected the Forth & Clyde Canal to the Union Canal for more than 100 years. After the industrial revolution, these locks fell into disrepair and were closed, meaning that Scotland's two lowland canals were no longer connected. In 2002, as part of a Millennium initiative to encourage waterway usage, the amazing Falkirk Wheel boat elevator was designed and constructed to replace the defunct locks. It now reconnects the two canals both efficiently and beautifully.
Embark a simple barge-like canal boat to experience a journey up the boat-elevator, across an aqueduct and through a tunnel underneath the Antonine Wall, built by the Romans in AD 142. Upon your return, the canal literally ends in mid-air, but your boat is gently lowered to the next level by the Falkirk Wheel.
Back on dry land, rejoin the motorcoach and continue the short distance to Stirling City — you will have free time here to spend sightseeing, shopping or visiting the castle of great renown (at your own expense).
Notes:
Lunch is not included. You will have time to purchase lunch at your own expense during the tour. Wear comfortable walking shoes. The canal barge features uncushioned flip-down plastic seating in a 3-3 configuration. A seat for each person is guaranteed; however, specific seats cannot be pre-reserved, and seating together for your party, while likely, cannot be assured. The canal barge is not exclusive to Holland America Line guests.