{"id":9024,"date":"2023-11-25T13:51:05","date_gmt":"2023-11-25T13:51:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.drifters.co.uk\/?p=9024"},"modified":"2023-11-25T13:51:05","modified_gmt":"2023-11-25T13:51:05","slug":"visit-edinburgh-on-a-canal-boat-holiday","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.drifters.co.uk\/visit-edinburgh-on-a-canal-boat-holiday\/","title":{"rendered":"Visit Edinburgh on a canal boat holiday"},"content":{"rendered":"

From Drifters canal boat hire base at Falkirk, you can cruise to Edinburgh and back on four-night or week-long canal boat holiday.<\/p>\n

The journey takes you along the Union Canal, from the Falkirk Wheel to Edinburgh Quay, travelling 32 miles in around 11 hours.<\/p>\n

The route passes through the Falkirk Wheel, through two locks, two tunnels and five major aqueducts. And takes you through the lovely lowland villages of Linlithgow, Broxburn and Ratho.<\/p>\n

Canal history<\/h4>\n

The Union Canal opened in 1842 and was built to bring coal and other minerals to Edinburgh. It is linked to the Forth & Clyde Canal at Falkirk by the Falkirk Wheel, the world\u2019s first rotating boat lift.<\/p>\n

Both canals were closed in the 1960\u2019s until their Lottery-funded restoration was completed in 2001.\u00a0 The Falkirk Wheel opened a year later.<\/p>\n

Replacing a flight of 11 locks, the lift is like a giant ferris-wheel, moving boats between the two canals in two massive gondolas, raising or lowering them 35 metres.<\/p>\n

Moor up close to the City Centre at Edinburgh Quay<\/h4>\n

Visitor moorings are available at Edinburgh Quay, just a five-minute walk from Princes Street in Edinburgh City Centre.<\/p>\n

From there, it\u2019s easy to reach the City\u2019s many attractions, including Edinburgh Castle, the Palace of Holyrood, Mary King Close and the Royal Mile.<\/p>\n

Journey highlights include:<\/h4>\n