Millennium Link 25th anniversary celebrations
Join us to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Millennium Link – the restoration and reopening of the Forth & Clyde and Union Canals, with The Falkirk Wheel at their heart
We’re inviting everyone to join us for a year of celebrations to mark this milestone with a wide range of events and activities for everyone to enjoy.
Celebrations will be led by the people and communities who best know and love the canals, with events including heritage and history walks, opportunities to share memories and canal clean-ups, a mini flotilla, and a special event at the Falkirk Wheel marking 25 years of connection.
This is your chance to share what the canals mean to you, to celebrate their heritage and history, and to recognise the local groups and societies who help to make the canals the vibrant waterways they are today – there’s lots to get involved in and events will be shared throughout the year across our social media channels and our website.
What is the Millennium Link?
The Millennium Link project brought the Forth & Clyde and Union Canals back to life, following their decline after the rise of the railways and then their closure in the 1960s.
The canals were drained and neglected until the ambitious ÂŁ83.5 million Millennium Link project began in March 1999 - the largest canal restoration ever undertaken in Britain.
The Falkirk Wheel was conceived as a piece of working sculpture – a unique fusion of art and engineering – lifting boats from the Forth & Clyde Canal to the Union Canal, 35m above.
The canals reopened in 2001, and are now thriving waterways, offering a wealth of social, economic, and community opportunities.
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Let's celebrate!
To mark the milestone Millennium Link anniversary, we’re excited to unveil a vibrant programme of events celebrating the heritage, people and stories of this remarkable project. Throughout the year, visitors can look forward to guided heritage walks, inspiring conferences, colourful flotillas and a variety of community celebrations, with even more activities to be announced.
Get involved!
We're always keen to support local community events. If you have anything planned along the canal this year, please get in touch with us to help you promote and badge up your event. We're happy to send out promotional kits including badges, bunting and more!Â
Tell us about your event and request a branding pack here >>
Share your stories!
The canals carry your stories, and we want to hear them. As part of our campaign to celebrate 25 years of the Millennium Link, we'd like to share your experiences along the canal. You could be a boater, a resident on or beside the canal, a member of the community or a canal enthusiast. Get in touch for your chance to feature in our newsletter and entry to win free tickets to our events!
Get in touch here with feedback@scottishcanals.co.uk
If you want to add our badges your event or any communications to spread the word of the 25th Anniversary of the Millennium Link, we have included our brand pack below.
