Union Canal (Scotland)

The Union Canal is a 50 km (31.5 mile) contour canal from Lochrin Basin in Edinburgh to Falkirk where it meets the Forth and Clyde Canal. It is more fully known as the Edinburgh and Glasgow Union Canal although this name is rarely used today, possible because the canal does not reach Glasgow.

Related Topics:
Canal - Edinburgh - Forth and Clyde Canal

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The canal was built between 1818 and 1822 and it had Scotland's only canal tunnel.

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Two of its construction workers were the famous body snatchers Burke and Hare.

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The soliton was first demonstrated on the Union Canal in 1838. The new aqueduct over the Edinburgh City Bypass was named after discoverer John Scott Russell.

Related Topics:
Soliton - 1838 - Aqueduct - John Scott Russell

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Originally used for transporting coal, competition from the railways caused it to close to commercial use in the 1930s. The locks connecting it to the Forth and Clyde canal at Falkirk were filled in and built over.

Related Topics:
Coal - Railway - 1930s - Falkirk

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The canal is now used recreationally by canoeists at the Forth Canoe Club and rowers from schools and St Andrew's Rowing Club. The Edinburgh, Ratho and Linlithgow Canal Societies promote general use of the canal and hire rowing and long boats.

Related Topics:
Canoe - Forth Canoe Club - Rowers

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The Millennium Link joined the Falkirk end of the canal to the Forth and Clyde Canal again in the year 2000 with the Falkirk Wheel. The other end, Lochrin Basin, is currently being redeveloped as Edinburgh Quay for commercial and residential use which has caused the relocation of Forth Canoe Club.

Related Topics:
Millennium Link - Falkirk Wheel - Forth Canoe Club

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The Union Canal is a contour canal - originally the only locks were those at Falkirk to make the link to the Forth and Clyde canal. Now there is one lock just before the Falkirk Wheel and a double lock just above. There is also a new tunnel where the canal crosses the Antonine Wall.

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