The Falkirk Wheel, the world’s first rotating boat lift, will open to the public on 1 May
The Falkirk Wheel, the world’s first rotating boat lift, will open to the public on 1 May.
The opening follows a two year construction programme and signals the completion of the construction phase on The Millennium Link project, the ambitious project by British Waterways Scotland to reconnect and regenerate the Forth & Clyde and Union canals.
The unique 115ft structure, which has already become a major landmark for Falkirk and Central Scotland, will also feature a state of the art Visitors’ Centre and visitor experience not available anywhere else in the world.
Iain Herbert, General Manager at The Falkirk Wheel, said, “The Falkirk Wheel is quite simply like nothing ever seen before. I believe will not only generate a great deal of pride and excitement within Scotland but will prove to be a huge draw for visitors from the rest of the UK and across the world.”
Commenting on the opening, Jim Stirling, Director, British Waterways Scotland said, “This is a significant moment as it marks the completion of the construction phase of a truly world class canal restoration project. We must not forget, however, that this is just the start of a major regeneration process. The Millennium Link is about generating a wide range of economic, environmental and social benefits for communities across Scotland and as such we must continue working with our partners to ensure that this regeneration is taken forward in the years ahead.”
In May 2001 The Forth & Clyde reopened to boat traffic, allowing boats to travel from the Firth of Forth to the Firth of Clyde, and vice versa, for the first time in almost 40 years. With the opening of The Falkirk Wheel, boats will be able to widen their journey and travel from Glasgow to Edinburgh and back again for the first time in over 60 years.
