to the main canal pageThe Union Canal - Public Transport Links
This page describes how to get to various places along the Union Canal by public transport from Edinburgh, for those interested in visiting the canal who do not have access to a car. Buses depart from St. Andrews' Square bus station and trains from Waverley Station, unless otherwise noted.
Obviously the bus companies may change their service routes and timetables, so check that the services I describe are still operating before trying to use them. You can get up to date timetables from the St Andrews' Square bus station. I don't think the timetables posted on the bus stops are always very accurate - one that I saw gave completely false and misleading information about service 38, for example.
Edinburgh Section:
The Edinburgh terminus of the canal is still within walking distance of the town centre, however it is not very easy to find. Hamish Brown's book on the canals gives a good description of how to find it, or a street map of Edinburgh should suffice. To explore further out, you can join the canal at Slateford (LRT bus no. 44 and possibly others go along Slateford Road). The canal crosses the road on a large concrete aqueduct with '1937' written above the arch, and the steps joining the towpath are just to the northeast.
Wester Hailes to the M8:
The Sighthill bus terminus is just a few hundred yards from the canal as it re-appears from under Wester Hailes. LRT buses nos. 22, 35 and 65 and possibly others go out here from the town centre. After getting off the bus on Calder Road roughly opposite the Burtons' biscuit factory, continue along beside the dual carriageway and then turn left into Calder Crescent. After a short distance you should see a car park with mooring bollards and the canal beyond on your right.
The only other easy access point on this section of canal is at Ratho. SMT bus no. 137 from Edinburgh stops here (replacing the old service 37), but is not very frequent (approx. every 2 hours), so it is advisable to check timetables before waiting for it.
The M8 to Philpstoun:
There are frequent bus services from Edinburgh to Broxburn. These are Midland Bluebird nos. 275, 284, 16 and 18, with roughly one every quarter hour. At the Broxburn end, these buses pass through the town centre, crossing the canal on the A899 bridge next to Port Buchan.
There is also a good bus service to Winchburgh, the Midland Bluebird service 38 in its various incarnations. This runs roughly every twenty minutes. At Winchburgh, the buses cross the canal on the B8090 bridge (32), and there is a stop close by here.
Philpstoun to the A801:
Bus number 38, mentioned above, also stops in Linlithgow. It is a short walk up the hill to Manse Basin from the bus route as it enters the east side of the town. It is also possible to get the train from Edinburgh Waverley or Haymarket to Linlithgow station, just to the south of the canal basin.
A801 to Falkirk:
Every third Midland Bluebird 38 (one every hour) goes on through Polmont and Falkirk. In Polmont it is necessary to walk from the bus stop down Station Road to join the canal at bridge 54. The Falkirk bus station is some distance from the Union Canal which climbs along the hillside to the south of the town, and a map of Falkirk is advisable to find it.
It is easier to get to the Union Canal's western end by train. The stations at Polmont and Falkirk High (not to be confused with Falkirk's other station, Grahamston) are both very close to the Union Canal. I believe there are actually sign posts to the towpath, saying something like "Green Link Canal Walk" from the stations.