Get Set for One of the Summer's Most Colourful
Events
'Wheel 10'
The Falkirk Wheel
Saturday 7th July
A colourful flotilla of 60 boats of all shapes and sizes, from
yachts and motor boats to small steam boats and traditional
narrowboats will gather at The Falkirk Wheel next Thursday (5th
July) as part of 'Wheel 10', a big public celebration marking the
tenth anniversary of the opening world's only rotating boatlift and
the reopening of the Lowland canals.
A colourful flotilla of 60 boats of all
shapes and sizes, from yachts and motor boats to small steam boats
and traditional narrowboats will gather at The Falkirk Wheel next
Thursday (5th July) as part of 'Wheel 10', a big public
celebration marking the tenth anniversary of the opening world's
only rotating boatlift and the reopening of the Lowland
canals.
A Royal Opening - Friday 6th July
Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal will visit The Falkirk Wheel on Friday 6th July
to officially open 'Wheel 10' by unveiling 'Blossom', a celebratory
artwork designed by schoolchildren at Easter Carmuirs Primary
School and other primary schools across the Millennium Link.
Join us between 12.30 and 3.30 to help mark the opening of
the celebrations!
The permanent artwork features roundels or discs designed by
schoolchildren in each of the seven local authority areas along the
Union and Forth & Clyde Canal. Schoolchildren will hand the
roundels to the flotillas traveling from East and West to the Wheel
during the week before the event.
Please note that the Cafe, Gift Shop and Boat Trips
will be closed on Friday 6th July. External catering facilities
will be available on the site, and the gift shop and boat trips
will recommence from 3.30pm.
'Wheel 10' Free, Public Event - Saturday 7th July
On Saturday 7th July, The Falkirk Wheel will be brimful of
things to see and do for all the family as the 'Wheel 10' public
event opens.
With free entry and a full programme of things to see and do on
land and water and lots of music, theatre and dance, there will be
much to keep everyone entertained between 10:00am and early
evening.
If, for example, you have ever fancied abseiling off the 35 metre
high Falkirk Wheel then now's the time. Tickets are available from
Glasgow Climbing
Centre and there's a discounted rate for charities who want to
stage a fundraising abseil on the day (please telephone Helen
Rowbotham at The Falkirk Wheel on 01324 676903).
Or, perhaps you're 'raft daft' - Get together with friends or
family and build a raft and bring it along and compete in the Wheel
10 Raft Race. Can you get from one side of the Falkirk Wheel basin
to the other and back without getting wet? If you are interested,
contact Jonny at My Adventure on 0131 332 3356 or jonny@myadventure.org.uk.
The ever popular Waterwalkerz and Rollers will be out for
those who want to try 'walking on water'. There'll also be the
chance to try canoeing or become a 'Gladiator' for the day in
combat on the water!
There'll be lots of flotilla boats in the basin (some open to the
public) and on the Forth & Clyde Canal including Scotland's
second oldest passenger boat, the Ratho Princess (1923)
and White Wing from the Scottish
Fisheries Museum.
There'll also be plenty of opportunity to take a boat trip on the
Wheel or along the Forth & Clyde to Lock 16.
Also on the water will be a host of model boats of all shapes
and size, little steam boats, demonstrations by International
Rescue and a visit from 'HMS Invincible'.
Fishing taster sessions will take place on the Forth & Clyde Canal and
there'll be guided walks around the Ronald Rae sculpture and the
Roman Antonine Guard will lead walks up to
the Antonine Wall.
Across The Falkirk Wheel, there'll be comedy from Funny in Falkirk, displays by Voodoo
Extreme Unicycles, acrobats, storytelling, archery, face-painting,
vintage fire engines and a vintage bus.
The Radio
Forth and Clyde Roadshow will compere the day and
introduce a full performance programme of music, dance and
theatre.
Altogether, Wheel 10 is an event for everyone and one not to be
missed!
Get together with friends or family and build a raft to compete in the Wheel 10 Raft Race. Will you make it from one side of the basin to the other and back without getting wet?
Email Jonny at My Adventure or call on 0131 332 3356.