Flotilla planned as part of 200th Anniversary celebrations
Scottish Waterways for All, working in partnership with Scottish Canals and numerous other organisations, have announced details of a flotilla being planned for the weekend of 20th – 22nd May 2022, to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the opening of the Union Canal.
Connecting Edinburgh to Glasgow, via the world famous Falkirk Wheel and the Forth & Clyde Canal, the 31.5 miles of the Union Canal passes through some spectacular scenery and passes over a number of mighty aqueducts, including the Avon Aqueduct near Linlithgow – one of the UK’s highest and longest – a true testament to the engineering skills in existence 200 years ago.
The eponymous “Flotilla 200” will commence from both ends of the canal, with boats initially mustering at Lochrin Basin Edinburgh, and the Falkirk Wheel, before setting out on their way, the two separate flotillas converging on the Saturday afternoon at Manse Road Basin in Linlithgow, one of the original stabling and staging posts, and still home to the very active Linlithgow Union Canal Society.
“The format of having two flotillas travelling simultaneously from both ends of the canal will provide maximum opportunities for local communities to not only spectate, but to get involved. A number of individual muster points are being organised where local organisations can host a festival atmosphere of stalls and entertainment, providing ideal locations for the flotilla to pause and join in the fun. We are interested in hearing from any groups or community organisations who would like to help out or host a muster point.” - Pat Bowie, chair of Scottish Waterway’s for All
Scottish Waterways for All are also organising photographic opportunities as the Flotillas pass over the aqueducts, hoping to capture this unique event on film and TV. As Pat says, “It’s not every year you have a 200th birthday !!!”
Flotilla 200 is only one of many events being hosted to celebrate this important milestone in the history of the canal network and more details are published and regularly updated on the Scottish Canals web site.