The Union Canal was not always here. One of the last canals ever built in Britain, the Union was almost immediately overshadowed by the faster rail network in 1849. By 1965 the canal was closed, and became a stagnant ditch, receiving minimal maintenance to prevent leaks. Blocked by roads and housing development in the late Twentieth Century the canal almost disappeared.

Over 30 years of enthusiasts’ effort, community campaigning and British Waterways Scotland’s foresight however has culminated in the re-opening of the Union Canal.

The canal now forms a unique wildlife corridor connecting the heart of the city with the rural countryside and country parks of Mid Lothian and West Lothian, and linking with the Forth & Clyde canal via the Falkirk Wheel.

The successful Millennium lottery bid that made the project possible has at its heart the notion that a redeveloped canal has the potential to regenerate communities along the canal. That potential is being seen in the success of the Falkirk Wheel becoming Scotland’s third largest tourist attraction in its first season.

Timeline to Revival:

• 1970’s campaigning began.
• Early 80’s aqueduct built over city bypass.
• 1997/8 - millennium lottery bid made for canal rejuvenation project. Successful after community support was demonstrated.
• 1998 - £78 million allocated for the Millennium Link Project
• Falkirk wheel
• M8 re-route
• Wester Hailes section re–dug
• Numerous bridges repaired and raised
• 32 miles dredged

• Result – a reinstated waterway.