20/7/26 Falkirk Wheel

 

      From the engineering marvel that the Forth bridges are , to another piece of Scottish Engineering . Today it's the Falkirk Wheel , a rather large device to raise and lower canal boats from one level to another. We got the train to Haymarket , then another to Falkirk / Grahamstown , before a bus , then a walk beside a canal , over the canal and we were there . It connects the Forehand Clyde Canals with the Union Canal .3 canalboats were in the canal as we crossed over to the wheel . The process begins with a left turn into a loch , that then elevates the boats to another larger body of water , that's used for an amusement park as well as the transport route . 

Here's the wheel , loaded up with one tour boat in the bottom and one at the top , there are docks to tie up to and there were several boats moored here . The tour boats do a roaring trade , with up to 96 people able to do a cruise and a trip up & down on the wheel , and run on the hour - at 17 pound per adult , slightly less for seniors and half price for kids over 5 , they certainly rake in some money !!

The wheel lifts passengers & boats 35m in the air and is a site to behold . The lifting /lowering process takes roughly 5 minutes from top to bottom , then there's some extra time for navigating in & out , as well as the time spent opening and closing & sealing each tub - it's quite fascinating .

We had our lunch in the shade below the upper canal and watched the event unfold in front of us .

The tubs rotated around on a wheeled track , and the large cog wheel you can see is the levelling device . There is a central cog that doesn't move and these 2 cogs on the tubs that are stationary as well . They are linked with 2 smaller cogs that run a chain between the 3 larger ones , keeping the tubs level . 

After watching this for a while we set off for the canal above , the view of which is special . 5 rings on pylons support the upper canal till the ground comes up to meet it . It doesn't end there , there's also a tunnel through the hill as well . The tour boats take you up the wheel , then through the tunnel to a turn around point , then come back again , with commentary of course . The whole thing takes approximately 50minutes . We enjoyed the walk , so we could check it out .

And from above this is the view we got , a beautiful sunny day and still conditions meant great reflections.

This is the view toward the tunnel .

This is the tunnel which you can also walk through , with a tour boat on the way back .

   We thoroughly enjoyed our wander around and taking in the views and the engineering . Heading back down to the carpark , we order a taxi to take us to The Kelpies - 2 enormous horse sculptures . In Scottish legend , these Kelpies are mythical creatures that can present themselves in any form to take away the children , but they are appearing as horses - albeit very large ones . Unfortunately for us , there was a flooding incident at The Kelpies and they'd closed it off to the public . Decision made for us , we headed back to the train station and then a bus to the apartment . The bus driver recognised us - we chatted to him at another stop when he was starting his shift a few days earlier - they are a friendly bunch here !! 👍 Here's a map link :- https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1NNVUcanwGixHqPkmBW-ROCLXLTX2KnI&usp=sharing