Enjoy the best of both worlds with the flexibility of a Forth Boat Tours Falkirk Wheel Cruise around the Firth Of Forth, past the three bridges and along the Falkirk Canal to the wheel itself (the world’s first and only rotating boat lift) with an Original Tour ticket.The trips can be taken the same day or on separate days (subject to availability).
FORTH BOAT TOURS
*For sailings during 1 November to 31 March see our Timetable for details
THE FALKIRK WHEEL
To book this visitor attraction, The Falkirk Wheel Original Tour:
Please email to pre-book your date and time. Quote your voucher code
Exchange your voucher for your tour ticket at the ticket office on the day of your choice
The Falkirk Wheel Annual Maintenance programme – Closed from January to March 2023
Please note that transport between venues is not included in your ticket.
Relax on board with friends and family and listen to the guided commentary while you enjoy a beverage or snack from the bar. Take in the spectacular views of the Three Bridges, the beautiful panoramas of the Edinburgh skyline to the south and the Kingdom of Fife to the north, the island of Inchcolm with its medieval abbey, and the islands of Inchgarvie, Inchkeith, and Inchmickery. During your cruise look out for the marine wildlife including many seabirds, seals, and watch out for the occasional porpoise.
Furthermore, The Falkirk Wheel is a unique rotating boat lift located in Scotland. It simply connects the Forth and Clyde Canal with the Union Canal. Interestingly these were previously connected by a series of 11 locks that took several hours to navigate.
The Falkirk Wheel was famously opened in 2002 as part of the Millennium Link project, which aimed to restore the historic canals and waterways of Scotland. The wheel is 115 feet tall and can lift up to eight boats at a time, weighing a total of 600 tonnes, from one canal to the other in just four minutes.
For the record, the wheel works by using Archimedes’ principle of displacement. Basically, each boat is placed into one of the eight gondolas. These are then simply filled with water until they weigh the same as the canal basin below. The gondolas are then merely rotated around the central axis of the wheel, lifting the boats up to the height of the other canal. The process is then reversed in order to lower the boats down to the other side.
Moreover, the Falkirk Wheel is not only a feat of engineering, but also a popular tourist attraction, with visitors able to take boat trips on the wheel and learn about its history and construction.
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