Celebrating 25 years of M8 Bridge 21A

This year (2025), marks a significant milestone: 25 years since the opening of M8 Bridge 21A at Broxburn on the Union Canal.

This bridge represents a turning point in the story of Scotland’s inland waterways. Once a vital industrial artery, the M8 of its time - the Union Canal fell into decline, becoming a quiet rural byway. In the 1960s and 70s, the construction of the M8 motorway severed key sections of both the Union and Monkland Canals, disrupting their historic routes.

But the tide turned with the Millennium Link project—a restoration effort to reconnect Scotland’s canals. As part of this initiative, Bridge 21A was constructed beneath the M8, reuniting the canal and restoring navigation through this beautiful stretch. On its opening day in 2000, boats from Linlithgow and Ratho met bow-to-bow in a symbolic gesture of reconnection.

Today, we honoured that moment with a vibrant gathering of boats and a recreation of the original “canal handshake” between  the late Ronnie Rusack and Mel Gray, this time joined by members of the Lowland canal societies.

Among those who witnessed the original celebration was our very own Chief Executive, John Paterson—then a proud piper with the Drambuie Pipe Band.

See more from the original opening ceremony here.