The Falkirk Wheel

Kids will love The Falkirk Wheel, measuring 35m, as high as eight double deck buses, it’s the worlds only rotating boatlift and is used to connect the Forth & Clyde and Union canals in central Scotland. Ideally placed at 23 miles from both Glasgow and Edinburgh and with easy access from across most of central Scotland, the Falkirk Wheel has received more than 5.5 million visitors since it was opened by Her Majesty The Queen in 2002.  Boat trips, including a cycle on the wheel take around 50 minutes. It is possible to take a trip on a pay and go basis but it is highly advisable to pre-book your trip. The visitor centre at The Wheel contains an interactive exhibition and viewing gallery, café and gift shop too.

There’s plenty to keep you entertained around The Wheel as well. Take to the water yourself on electric boats, canoes, water walkerz or water rollerz. There are over four miles of pathways in the woodlands around the Falkirk Wheel site so there is plenty of opportunity for a family walk. You can also hire a bike and follow some of the many pathways that surround the wheel and head out in to the countryside beyond or take one of the Segway tours around the Falkirk Wheel site. Younger family members will have great fun in the play park and water playpark too.

If you have time to spare, a shuttle bus runs between the Falkirk Wheel and The Kelpies – the world’s largest equine sculptures- by the artist Andy Scott. The Kelpies is five miles away and can be reached via a pathway from the Falkirk Wheel, it takes around 20 minutes to cycle there or slightly longer on foot.

Car parking is available at The Wheel at £3.00 per day and is approximately a 5-10 minute walk away. Dogs are allowed on-site, but must be kept on a leash and are not allowed on the boat trips or in the visitor centre. (Service dogs excepted).