1793
The Union Canal was conceived as a direct route for the people of Edinburgh to access cheap sources of coal from the West
1813
A survey is undertaken to link the proposed canal to the Forth & Clyde Canal
1817
Construction is approved by an Act of Parliament
1822
The Union Canal opens after only four years
1849
Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway Company takes ownership of the canal
1906
Plans are drawn up for a distinctive lifting bridge at Fountainbridge, Edinburgh
1921
The Eastern terminus of the canal is closed
1933
The Western terminus is closed as commercial traffic ceases
1930s -1960s
The decline continues with the infilling of the lock flight that linked the Union Canal with the Forth & Clyde Canal. The canal is culverted at Westerhailes and Broxburn to make way for roads
1965
The Union Canal is formally closed to navigation
2001
The canal is reopened as part of the £83.5m Millennium Link – the largest canal restorations anywhere in Britain
2002
The Falkirk Wheel reconnects the Forth & Clyde and Union Canals for the first time in over 70 years