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. Pay now the deposit of 340 € per person to secure places 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-night tour of Scottish Canals
Thursday 1 October
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.
Friday 2 October
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.
See in passing 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.
Night in Huthu Oban Regent Hotel, Oban
Saturday 3 October
Continue north to Fort William, at the foot of Ben Nevis, 1345m high, approached 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 the Royal Highland Hotel, beside the railway station and close to the city centre.
Banavie locks on the Caledonian Canal
Sunday 4 October
Morning walk to the canal basin and the four locks at Muirtown, continuing to the canal’s entrance lock at Clachnaharry. Free time, optional excursions will be offered. Second night in the Royal Highland Hotel, Inverness.
Monday 5 October
Drive through the Highlands, beneath the Cairngorm Mountains. Visit the Blair Castle at Blair Atholl. Lunch in the nearby restaurant The Loft. Continue in the afternoon past Perth and Stirling. Visit to the Kelpies, flanking the lock at the entrance to the Queen Elizabeth II Extension Canal. The canal connects with the River Carron (replacing the last section of the Forth and Clyde Canal to Grangemouth).
Check in at Park Hotel, Falkirk, conveniently located between Falkirk town centre and the Forth and Clyde Canal.
The Kelpies flanking the first lock on the connecting canal from the Forth & Clyde Canal to the river Carron.
Tuesday 6 October
The Falkirk Wheel and canal basin, connecting the
Forth & Clyde Canal to the Union Canal. © Thomas Roell, Shutterstock
Departure by coach for the Falkirk Wheel, visit and boat trip passing through the structure and the tunnel above. Lunch may be purchased in the cafeteria beside the structure.
Transfer to Edinburgh for a visit to the city centre around Princes Street. Overview of the ‘New Town’ and key attractions by coach, then walking tour to Edinburgh Castle and the Old Town.
Return to Falkirk via the Queensferry viewpoint over the Forth Estuary and its three spectacular bridges.
Return to Falkirk Wheel for farewell dinner.
Wednesday 7 October
Transfer to Edinburgh for a walking tour through Princes Street Gardens and across North Bridge (above Waverley Station), and optional visits to key attractions such as the National Gallery.
Leaving the coach at the Water of Leith Visitor Centre at the Slateford Aqueduct, optional walk along the Union Canal to its terminus close to the city centre. Observe urban development over most of the original canal basins.
Assemble for lunch in the Café Andaluz, George Street, in the centre of the New Town.
Departure for the airport mid-afternoon.
Optional night (depending on flight times) in Ibis Budget Hotel, Edinburgh Park (4 tram stops from the terminus at Edinburgh Airport).
The full price per person is €1290. Single supplement €250 The deposit of €340 secures a place on the tour.
