New link between Falkirk Wheel and the Kelpies

A new upgraded towpath on the Forth & Clyde Canal offers visitors to the Falkirk Wheel and the Kelpies a new way to travel between the two attractions, thanks to almost £200,000 of investment to upgrade the towpaths of the Forth & Clyde Canal.

Scottish Canals and its partners at Sustrans and Falkirk Council recently completed work on the project, which upgrades the busy 1.5km stretch between the community of Camelon and The Falkirk Wheel to a robust, all-weather surface. The project also improves forward travel to Helix Park and the Kelpies – the world’s largest pair of equine sculptures.

Upgraded as part of a wider £1.3 million project to improve the towpaths of Scotland’s canals, the route provides safe, off-road travel for walkers and cyclists of any age or ability, and is an important leisure and exercise venue for local communities, as well as an active travel artery.

Richard Millar, Director of Heritage, Enterprise & Sustainability at Scottish Canals, said: 'The towpaths of Scotland’s canals are busier than ever and play a vital role in the communities they run through. They’re increasingly significant destinations for leisure, exercise and commuting and this project opens up access to them by providing a safe, all-weather surface everyone can use and enjoy.

'The Kelpies and The Falkirk Wheel are two of Scotland’s top tourism destinations and this project will allow visitors to enjoy a one-of-a-kind journey by boot or bike – travelling from the engineering marvel that is the world’s only rotating boat lift to the shadows of the Helix’s majestic monuments to horse-powered heritage.

'With the Commonwealth Games underway, we hope this project will encourage the people of Falkirk to emulate their sporting heroes, get active and take to the towpaths by boot and bike. The paths of the Forth & Clyde Canal are free green gyms that offer the perfect opportunity to leave the couch and car behind and channel your inner Mo Farah or Katie Archibald.

'We are hugely grateful to both Sustrans and Falkirk Council for supporting these important works. Scotland’s canals already attract more than 22 million visitations a year and I am sure that the improved access offered by these upgraded paths will see even more people enjoy the heritage, wildlife and green space offered by the Forth & Clyde Canal.'

For more on the work of Scottish Canals, visit their website.