Scotland’s first tourist e-boat sets sail from The Falkirk Wheel
Scottish Canals latest offering at The Falkirk Wheel was officially launched by Transport Minister, Jenny Gilruth MSP alongside Scottish Canals CEO, Catherine Topley as part of Climate Week.
Visitors to the world’s only rotating boat lift, can now experience a little more canal side scenery in an environmentally conscious way by hiring one of Scottish Canals new e-boats.
Curious captains can now hire a boat and cruise along the Forth & Clyde Canal between The Falkirk Wheel and Bonnybridge enjoying the views from the waterway.
The venture, at one of the nation’s top tourist spots, The Falkirk Wheel, has been met with a flow of interest as a growing number of tourists and day-trippers seek to enjoy new experiences in a sustainable way.
Launched by Transport Minister, Jenny Gilruth MSP alongside Scottish Canals CEO, Catherine Topley as part of Climate Week, the Polycraft Tuffy 300 electric boat has made waves in the eco-friendly tourism market.
Transport Minister, Jenny Gilruth MSP, said “As part of Scotland’s Climate Week, I’m pleased to join Scottish Canals in welcoming their new e-boats for hire at the Falkirk Wheel.
“This new venture responds to the growing appetite for more sustainable tourism experiences and adds to the many eco-friendly ways that people can already enjoy Scotland’s Canals.”
Scottish Canals plan to expand their eco-friendly offer next year by having a host of new boats available which can accommodate up to six or eight sailors per vessel. These new boats will be complimented by the opportunity to take a trip on the world’s only rotating boatlift, The Falkirk Wheel, which uses the power of just eight kettles to turn the 500-tonne steel structure.
Catherine Topley, CEO of Scottish Canals, said “Our canal network has always been at the forefront of low carbon travel and this latest offering at The Falkirk Wheel allows tourists and local visitors to cruise the canal in an eco-friendly way.
“The Falkirk Wheel is 20 years old this year and remains the world’s only rotating boat-lift, attracting 500,000 visitors each year, it is our vision that The Wheel becomes a global beacon for sustainable tourism, we know that won’t happen overnight, but our new e-boats takes us a step closer to realising that vision”.
After announcing its journey to Net Zero in June 2020, the public body wasted no time in delivering on that promise with new air source heat pumps and £250,000 of solar panel fitted on the site.
The Falkirk Wheel e-boats are available to rent for just £35 for 90 minutes and can accommodate up to three people. Scottish Canals re-invest all proceeds made from The Falkirk Wheel into caring for Scotland’s 250-year-old canal network.