A Bit About The Falkirk Wheel...
The Falkirk Wheel was opened by The Queen in May 2002. This
engineering wonder is a unique rotating boat lift which allows
vessles to be raised 24 metres from the Forth and Clyde Canal
(Glasgow To Grangemouth) to the Union Canal (Edinburgh To
Falkirk).
The Wheel in mid lift with a passenger boat in each of its
caissons.
The Wheel is a major tourist attraction. It is therefore well
equipped for visitors - with a vistior centre containing
exhibition, restaurant and a shop, and a great play park for the
kids!
The "Falkirk Wheel Experience" boat trip runs on a scheduled
basis taking groups for a ride on the Wheel. Don't expect fun park
style thrills, but its still a great thing to do.
After perusing the exhibition in the visitor centre to
understand how it works, another good way to enjoy the Wheel is to
walk around to see it in action from a number of different angles.
You can get close enough to touch it as it swings past the visitor
centre or walk up the paths behind it to see it from a number of
different vantage points. It's also worth walking up to the
aqueduct section and having a wander through the tunnel that feeds
it.
For more details about all that the Falkirk Wheel has to offer,
please visit its web
site. Or look up its entry in
Wikipedia.
Other Things To Do In The Area...
There is some great walking in and around the Falkirk Wheel
site. For example, a woodland walk leads from the Wheel to the
remains of a Roman fort at Roughcastle - see cache
GC1J664. If you feel energetic, you can cycle safely from the
Wheel for miles along the canal tow paths towards either Glasgow or
Edinburgh.
Getting There...
Once you arrive in Falkirk, the Falkirk Wheel is well sign
posted. You will be directed to one of 2 car parks (both included
as waypoints). Get yourself to the visitor centre and you are
within 200m of the cache site.
Notes...
Please do not climb over any fences - simply stay on the
paths until you find a suitable crossing point such as a stile.