Falkirk Base...

Our base is situated on the Forth and Clyde Canal immediately below the Falkirk Wheel. Passage through the wheel allows access to 31 miles of lock free cruising on the Union Canal to Edinburgh. Travelling west on the Forth and Clyde Canal will bring you to Glasgow and Bowling on the Clyde. It is best to bring a mobile phone and cigar lighter socket-type charger, as locks either side of the wheel and locks and bridges on the Forth and Clyde Canal are currently operated by British Waterways staff. Falkirk is served by two railway stations, both only a short distance from the Falkirk Wheel. There is a visitor centre at the Falkirk Wheel with a cafeteria and gift shop.

(Please note that only the UK Boat Hire central booking office can give hire boat availability or answer booking enquiries Tel: 0330 333 590)

View Multi-Map of the Falkirk Base Area

London 420 miles, Edinburgh 26 miles, Glasgow 24 miles, Newcastle 135 miles

By Road
From Edinburgh – Take the A8 road for Glasgow and the west. At Newbridge roundabout take the M9 west for Stirling. Take the slip road off for Falkirk (Junction 5) but DO NOT FOLLOW THE SIGNS FOR THE FALKIRK WHEEL. First follow the signs for Falkirk and then for the Falkirk Wheel. This will eventually bring you to the Rosebank Beefeater restaurant at the Forth and Clyde Canal. Cross the canal and turn first right, second left, first right and then right at the mini roundabout. Enter the Falkirk Wheel site, park on the right, come down the hill, walk through reception, turn right and our office is facing you.

From Glasgow – Take the M80/A80 road for Stirling. Follow signs for Falkirk and brown and white signs for the Falkirk Wheel. Continue on until you come to the village of Camelon and to the Rosebank Beefeater restaurant roundabout at the Forth & Clyde Canal. Cross the canal and turn first right and then follow signs for the Falkirk Wheel. Cross the canal and turn first right, second left, first right and then right at the mini roundabout.Enter the Falkirk Wheel site, park on the right, come down the hill, walk through reception, turn right and our office is facing you.

By Rail
From Edinburgh or Glasgow Queen Street stations take a train to Falkirk High or Falkirk Grahamston Station (30 mins). Most frequent service on the Edinburgh – Glasgow line is to Falkirk High Station. Then take a short taxi journey to the Falkirk Wheel reception. You can plan your rail journey on these websites www.thetrainline.com   www.nationalrail.co.uk or by phoning 0845 748 4950

By Air
Fly to Edinburgh or Glasgow Airports and then take the bus to the city centre and a train as above. From Edinburgh Airport, a taxi can also take you to the Falkirk Wheel (about 30 minutes).

By Taxi
Taxis are usually to be found on the ranks at both railway stations.
The following taxi companies who also run a mini bus will be pleased to quote a price to meet your flight.

Dullatur Private Hire 01236 724225
Express Taxis 01324 622100
Bruce’s Taxis 01324 636000

Coach Travel
This website can help you plan your travel by coach in the UK. www.nationalexpress.com

Car Hire
The following car hire websites can help you organise car hire in the UK

Accommodation
If your travel arrangements require overnight accommodation before or after your holiday, here are details of a local hotel in Falkirk and three bed and breakfast establishments in price order (most expensive first).

Best Western Park Lodge Hotel, Camelon Road, Falkirk, FK1 5RY.
Tel: 01324 628331.

Mrs Mitchell, Darroch House, Camelon Road, Falkirk, FK1 5SQ.
Tel: 01324 626288.

Anna Burnside, Arbuthnot House, Dorrator Road, Camelon Road, Falkirk, FK1 4BN. Tel: 01324 634785.
Website: www.milford.co.uk/go/arbuthnothouse.html

Harlow Grange, Redding Road, Brightons, Falkirk, FK2 0AA.
Tel: 01324 410343.
Website: www.harlowgrange.co.uk

Food Shopping
There is a large convenience store in Camelon (3 minutes by car). Tescos and Asda stores in Falkirk (7 minutes by car.

Please note: The Forth and Clyde – being a sea to sea canal – is wider than the average English canal. Between our base at Falkirk and Glasgow there are four locks and three road bridges, all of which are currently operated by British Waterways staff. Between Glasgow and the Clyde at Bowling there are a further 18 locks and a number of pedestrian bridges, also operated by BW staff.The Union Canal is a contour canal and has no locks at all and no bridges that have to be opened to let you pass.The Falkirk Wheel, as you would imagine, is operated by British Waterways staff, as are the two locks above it and the one below.So if your holiday enjoyment centres on opening locks and bridges, these are not the canals for you. Having said that, the BW crew are only too happy to have your assistance and muscle power to help with opening locks and a very helpful in meeting your needs in terms of moving throughout the canal system.

However, if you allow a lack of opportunity for physical exertion to put you off coming to these two canals, which pass through some incredibly eye-catching and relaxing countryside, you will miss out on the Falkirk Wheel, the drop lock at Dalmuir which is the first of its kind in Britain and takes you down under a main road and a unique canal-side fish and chip shop. Not to mention entering the heart of both Edinburgh and Glasgow by boat.

To make some of your movement arrangements you will, on occasion, require the use of a mobile phone.