Behind the scenes tours return to the world's only rotating boat lift
For the first time in years the public will be given the unique opportunity to step inside the heart of the world’s only rotating boat lift.
Scottish Canals, who own and maintain The Falkirk Wheel, located at Lime Road, Falkirk, have this month added regular Behind the Wheel tours to their visitor experience.
Those planning a trip to the top tourist attraction can now look forward to stepping inside the iconic structure to see its internal workings and will also be taken on behind the scenes journey to explore its history.
The Falkirk Wheel, which celebrated its 22nd birthday last month, has recently undergone a revolutionary £2.7 million upgrade. Tour guides will be on hand to explain the benefits the works have brought to one of Scotland’s most popular tourist attractions.
Ross McMillan, Scottish Canals’ Head of Destinations said: “We’re excited to be offering these incredible tours on a regular basis. It was fitting that after the huge refurb that we were able to mark this by launching the Behind the Wheel tours.
“Hundreds of thousands of people have experienced our boat trips but only a handful have ever stepped inside the heart of the Wheel and we can’t wait to share this magical experience with everyone.”
Tours will take place monthly and will include a short presentation inside The Falkirk Wheel’s Wheel Room conference suite. Refreshments of a brunch or light lunch will also be included.
The tour guide will then walk you around the site providing a fascinating insight into the historic significance this iconic structure has made to those using Scotland’s canals before heading inside.
Tours will run at 10.30am and 2.30pm and will last approximately two hours and 30 minutes.
The recommended age for the tour is for those aged 16 and over. Please note that the tour will involve walking around the site and climbing several flights of ladders.
Tickets are strictly limited to 8 persons per tour. To book or learn more about the tours visit Scottish Canals | Behind The Wheel Tours
The Falkirk Wheel opened as part of The Millennium Link, a £83.4m project that restored Scotland’s inland waterways to a navigable state for the first time since the 1960s. The Wheel replaced a flight of 11 locks that once stepped the Union Canal down to the level of the Forth and Clyde over a distance of 1.5km that took more than a half day to traverse. Now, The Falkirk Wheel allows vessels to transit between the two canals in just seven minutes, operating extremely efficiently it wastes no water and using hardly any electricity.
