Description
Exciting tour jointly organised with Alliance des Rhodaniens for members of the Lyon-based association and IWI, taking in the four working Scottish Canals, starting and finishing in Edinburgh. The tour is run by David Edwards-May with logistical support from Scottish Canals. David also provides simultaneous interpreting with high-quality audio equipment, as he did for the Lot valley tour in 2019. The programme may be run again in the autumn of 2026. This product is your deposit of 270 € to secure a place on the tour, double or single occupancy. The balance will be posted separately for double/twin and for single occupancy in due course.
Itinerary of 6-day, 5-night tour of Scottish Canals
Monday 11 May
Assemble at Edinburgh Airport (ADR group arrives from Geneva at 15:50) for coach transfer to hotel north of Glasgow city centre. Guided tour of the city centre and along the banks of the River Clyde, the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution as much as the English Midlands, thanks to its former heavy industries and shipyards.
Stay at Travelodge Glasgow North.
The hotel is a short distance from the Glasgow Branch Canal, where two locks were built to lower the level of the canal alongside the M8 Motorway.
Tuesday 12 May
Walk to Civic House, a new coworking facility beside the Glasgow Branch of the Forth and Clyde Canal. Welcome by Scottish Canals CEO John Paterson and Director of Infrastructure Richard Millar. Presentation of the five Scottish Canals, followed by a walking tour of the Glasgow branch including the two locks between Spiers Wharf and Port Dundas (photo above courtesy of Scottish Canals).
Early afternoon departure by coach, passing Maryhill locks, which were derelict in the 1970s before the restoration project for the two Lowland canals forming the 2002 Millennium Link.
Visit the Dalmuir Drop Lock and Bowling Basin, where the canal joins the Clyde estuary. Continue through the spectacular Highlands, skirting Loch Lomond, then rounding the head of Loch Long before cutting across to Loch Fyne, which the road follows to Ardrishaig harbour. The Crinan Canal will be presented by canal manager Donna Mallan. The coach then follows the canal for 14 km to Crinan Harbour. Walking tour and refreshments at the Crinan Hotel before the drive along the scenic road along the west coast to Oban.
Wednesday 13 May
Continue north to Fort William, at the foot of Ben Nevis, 1345m high, seen from the Glen Nevis road, then back to Fort William and across the river Lochy to the Banavie 8-lock staircase near the Caledonian Canal’s southern entrance. The route then runs along the canal, a series of lakes connected by canals each a few kilometres long. Free lunch stop in Fort Augustus, a tourist hub built around another staircase, here consisting of five locks. Visit Urquhart Castle on the shores of Loch Ness before arriving in Inverness, capital of the Highlands.
Overnight in Premier Inn, beside the River Ness in the city centre.
Banavie locks on the Caledonian Canal
Thursday 14 May
Morning walk to the canal basin and the four locks at Muirtown, northwest of the city.
Then drive through the Highlands with a visit to the Blair Athol distillery and lunch in Pitlochry, continuing past Stirling to check in at Premier Inn Falkirk Central hotel next to the flight of locks on the Forth and Clyde Canal.
Late afternoon visit to the Kelpies, flanking one of the locks connecting with the River Carron (replacing the last section of the Forth and Clyde Canal to Grangemouth).
The Kelpies flanking the first lock on the connecting canal from the Forth & Clyde Canal to the river Carron.
Friday 15 May
Departure by coach for the Falkirk Wheel, visit and boat trip passing through the structure and the tunnel above. Lunch on site.
Transfer to Edinburgh for a visit to the city centre around Queen Street.
Tram tour to visit the port of Leith, where the royal yacht Britannia is moored. Return for a special dinner at the Falkirk Wheel.
The Falkirk Wheel and canal basin, connecting the Forth
& Clyde Canal to the Union Canal. © Scottish Canals
Saturday 16 May
Visit to Edinburgh Castle, followed by lunch. Departure for the airport early afternoon.
The full price per person is €1190. Single supplement €200 The deposit of €270 secures a place on the tour.
