Enjoy the canal from the
water
[this whole section of the website may need to be
updated when
our new boat is commissioned and trial runs have taken
place.]
Between April and October, on the first Sunday of each
month, when our new boat is built and fitted out, you will
be able to enjoy short trips on the canal.
You will be able to join us at Port Buchan in Broxburn
between 1pm - 4pm to experience the tranquility of life on
the Union Canal.Trips will last around 25-30 minutes and
alternate between travelling west (towards Linlithgow) or
east (towards Ratho).
Get a chance to sit with the captain and try your hand on
the tiller, or just enjoy watching the many water birds as
they swim alongside our boat. Don't forget a friendly wave
to other canal users. Tea, coffee, and juice are available
on board. Booking is not necessary, just turn up and go!
Towards Linlithgow / Falkirk
Starting from Port Buchan, we travel along the canal in
the direction of Falkirk. We'll often see swans along this
stretch, which passes the Greendykes industrial units on
your left (where candles were once produced) and the back
of Broxburn primary school on your right.
The first canal structure we encounter is the Greendykes
Road Bridge No.27. Constructed by Babtie Group in
April 2000, this is a modern concrete bridge approached at
an angle. The canal here is only just wider than Bluebell
and your driver will need to turn Bluebell on the final
approach to ensure smooth passage.
As we exit the bridge the canal widens again and bears
slightly to the left. On your left you'll see the remains
of the old shale oil mining bings, and on
the right is the back of Broxburn Sports Centre, then
Broxburn Athletic Football Club ground.
We pass a launching point on the right at Stewartfield,
where small boats can be transferred in and out of the
canal.It can also be used as a turning point.The original
Union Canal incorporated no slipways but this one was
added when the canal was refurbished as part of the
Millennium Link Project. Continuing our journey around the
bend to the left, we now pass beneath Widewater Bridge 28,
one of the original masonery bridges at the site of the
former Albyn Shale Oil Works. Just before the bridge,
beside the towpath, you can see a milestone stating that
it is 13.5 miles to Edinburgh. Bridge 28 marks the
approach to the turning point we'll use on this trip.
Towards Ratho/ Edinburgh
Starting from Port Buchan, we pull out into the canal to
go beneath the bridge under Broxburn West Main Street
(A899) heading South. This takes us out onto a very
straight stretch where we can see 2-3 bridges ahead of us
as we pass the backs of houses on the Badger estate on the
right, and the main canal path runs on the left.
Our first Bridge is No 25 which takes us beneath a
footpath connecting Badger Brook on the West (right) to
Parklands on the East (left). This is one of the original
bridges, dating from 1822. As we emerge from this bridge,
watch out for a passing glimpse of the Planet Jupiter as presented by the Kirkhill Pillar Project which has
erected the representations of all the planets of our
solar system, centred on the roof of Broxburn High School.
You'll see this on your right just after Bridge 25.
After we have passed beneath Bridge 25, we approach Bridge
24A, which carries the A89 road over the canal. This was
constructed in the 1930s. Many people think it is wide
because it was designed to carry a dual carriageway,
however the real reason is that it was designed to carry a
light railway across the canal beside the road. The
railway was never constructed.
As we approach the bend to the left, the canal becomes
more exposed to cross winds and your driver may have to
compensate as they try to push Bluebell off course.
Our next structure is Bridge 23 passing over the canal,
carrying a farm track. Emerging from this bridge you may
become aware of the noise from the M8 motorway, which can
now be seen in the distance to your right.
The canal turns again to the left as we continue to head
east instead of south. Your driver will now begin to slow
Bluebells pace as we approach the Winding Hole where we
will turn back toward Port Buchan.
As we progress past fields, watch out for wildlife both on
the banks and in the air.
Easter Bunny Boat Trips
Our popular Easter Bunny boat trips run over the Easter weekend. Children get a chance to meet the Easter Bunny and receive a chocolate egg.
Santa Trips
Our popular Santa Trips run in December. Aimed principally at children aged up to 12 years old, they provide fun for all the family with a gift for every child.