Union Canal history and heritage
![https://d1hxd0sho1wxko.cloudfront.net/production/imager-transforms-cache/general/236686/Union_Canal-882x562_a37fc3781d14752ebf9d81956716e1cf.jpg](https://d1hxd0sho1wxko.cloudfront.net/production/imager-transforms-cache/general/236686/Union_Canal-882x562_a37fc3781d14752ebf9d81956716e1cf.jpg)
Discover the story of this great contour canal - with its trailblazing engineering solutions to link Edinburgh to the Forth & Clyde Canal, it was one of the last great feats of the canal-building era.
![1793](https://d1hxd0sho1wxko.cloudfront.net/production/imager-transforms-cache/general/141117/1793_26a1f09add335143bc2c480199428164.jpg)
1793
The Union Canal was conceived as a direct route for the people of Edinburgh to access cheap sources of coal from the West.
![1813](https://d1hxd0sho1wxko.cloudfront.net/production/imager-transforms-cache/general/141121/1813_26a1f09add335143bc2c480199428164.jpg)
1813
A survey is undertaken to link the proposed canal to the Forth & Clyde Canal.
![1817](https://d1hxd0sho1wxko.cloudfront.net/production/imager-transforms-cache/general/141123/1817_26a1f09add335143bc2c480199428164.jpg)
1817
Construction is approved by an Act of Parliament.
![1822](https://d1hxd0sho1wxko.cloudfront.net/production/imager-transforms-cache/general/141125/1822_26a1f09add335143bc2c480199428164.jpg)
1822
The Union Canal opens after only four years.
![1849](https://d1hxd0sho1wxko.cloudfront.net/production/imager-transforms-cache/general/141127/1849_26a1f09add335143bc2c480199428164.jpg)
1849
Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway Company takes ownership of the canal.
![1906](https://d1hxd0sho1wxko.cloudfront.net/production/imager-transforms-cache/general/141129/1906_26a1f09add335143bc2c480199428164.jpg)
1906
Plans are drawn up for a distinctive lifting bridge at Fountainbridge, Edinburgh.
![1921](https://d1hxd0sho1wxko.cloudfront.net/production/imager-transforms-cache/general/141131/1921-1_26a1f09add335143bc2c480199428164.jpg)
1921
The Eastern terminus of the canal is closed.
![1933](https://d1hxd0sho1wxko.cloudfront.net/production/imager-transforms-cache/general/141133/1933_26a1f09add335143bc2c480199428164.jpg)
1933
The Western terminus is closed as commercial traffic ceases.
![1930s -1960s](https://d1hxd0sho1wxko.cloudfront.net/production/imager-transforms-cache/general/141135/Union-canal_26a1f09add335143bc2c480199428164.jpg)
1930s -1960s
The decline continues with the infilling of the lock flight that linked the Union Canal with the Forth & Clyde Canal. The canal is culverted at Westerhailes and Broxburn to make way for roads.
![1965](https://d1hxd0sho1wxko.cloudfront.net/production/imager-transforms-cache/general/141137/1965_26a1f09add335143bc2c480199428164.png)
1965
The Union Canal is formally closed to navigation.
![2001](https://d1hxd0sho1wxko.cloudfront.net/production/imager-transforms-cache/general/141139/steamboat_26a1f09add335143bc2c480199428164.jpg)
2001
The canal is reopened as part of the £83.5m Millennium Link – the largest canal restorations anywhere in Britain.
![2002](https://d1hxd0sho1wxko.cloudfront.net/production/imager-transforms-cache/general/141141/falkirk-wheel_26a1f09add335143bc2c480199428164.jpg)
2002
The Falkirk Wheel reconnects the Forth & Clyde and Union Canals for the first time in over 70 years.