A new selfie trail encouraging families to get out and discover the ‘genius’ of the Forth & Clyde Canal has been launched between The Falkirk Wheel and The Kelpies.
Created by Scottish Canals as part of its ‘Canal Encounters’ campaign, the #Wheel2Kelpies Selfie Trail runs between two of Scotland’s biggest landmarks – The Falkirk Wheel and The Kelpies – along Scotland’s oldest canal, the Forth & Clyde. The four-mile trail aims to encourage families to explore the many sights and stories of the waterway by walking, cycling, and paddling the route – while stopping to snap a selfie on their smartphones along the way.
Designed to get families actively exploring the ‘genius’ engineering of the canal network, the #Wheel2Kelpies Selfie Trail launches on Friday 22nd September and will show visitors the most interesting photo-stops, buildings and art along the canal banks, whilst also getting them active outdoors. Leaflets outlining the trail are available from The Falkirk Wheel and The Horsebox Café behind The Kelpies or can be downloaded from the Scottish Canals website.
The colossal Kelpies – the largest equine sculptures on the planet – and The Falkirk Wheel, the world’s only rotating boat lift, bookmark either end of the trail and provide ample opportunities for selfie-seekers. In between these landmarks are new interventions designed to encourage people to discover some of the stories of the canal. These include giant bottle sculptures inspired by the former triple distillation process of Rosebank Distillery – which operated for more than 150 years on the banks of the canal, producing one of the finest Lowland malt whiskies in Scotland – and a large steel vinegar bottle which celebrates the heritage of Mr McAuley’s Vinegar Works, which distributed vinegar all over the nation from its canalside location.
Canal custodians Scottish Canals is asking those that take to the trail to share their best selfies on social media using the hashtag #Wheel2Kelpies, with the best shot each month winning a voucher for The Falkirk Wheel or The Horsebox Café at The Kelpies. It’s hoped that the selfie aspect of the trail will help to introduce a new generation of canal-lovers to the wonders of Scotland’s inland waterways.
“The #Wheel2Kelpies Selfie Trail is designed to promote an active day out along the canal. Guiding visitors along one of the most interesting parts of the Forth & Clyde Canal, the trail covers everything from picturesque photo-spots and genius engineering, to intriguing sculptures and public art.
“Explore the selfie trail with your smartphone and discover the genius of Scotland’s canals for yourself!”
For more information on the #Wheel2Kelpies Selfie Trail, see www.scottishcanals.co.uk/wheel2kelpies-selfie-trail/
The project is funded by: Sustrans Scotland; Landfill Communities Fund; Avondale; FCC Environment; WREN; Scottish Waterways Trust; and Scottish Canals.