The last (or first) section of the Union Canal flows from the A801 bridge to the end of the canal, and the former junction with Forth and Clyde, in Falkirk. After passing through Polmont, the next stretch to Glen Village, south of Falkirk, is fairly unremarkable. A young offenders institution, a tip, and an industrial estate make up the unattractive surroundings for a mile or so, and the only notable canal feature is the Union Canal's only swing bridge, now disused and fixed open so as not to obstruct navigation. A major clean up operation is currently in progress on this stretch of canal, so sections of the canal, the towpath and even some of the bridges are likely to be blocked over the next few months.

However, things start to look up as the canal approaches Glen Village, and enters a picturesque deep wooded cutting with some impressively high stone arched bridges. The cutting soon leads into what was until the year 2000 Scotland's only canal tunnel (there is now another one a couple of miles to the west, taking the Union Canal's approach to the Falkirk Wheel under the Antonine Wall), cut nearly half a mile through solid rock. The towpath runs right through, unlike in many English canal tunnels, so the adventurous can walk under the hill instead of over it. The tunnel was reopened to navigation in 1988, and now forms the climax of trips on the local Seagull Trust barge. Lighting was added in 2001 when the whole canal reopened.

The Falkirk Tunnel from the inside, taken in 1993 before the lights were installed

The canal emerges from its short subterranean adventure onto a hillside high above Falkirk town centre. The banks are nicely landscaped here, and there is a new Seagull Trust boathouse and a car park. Just below it are the remains of the flight of locks which once connected this canal to the Forth and Clyde, down the hill and level with the town.

The new link between the Union and Forth and Clyde Canals is to be the centerpiece of the Millennium Link project. Instead of restoring the old locks, a spectacular wheel shaped boat lift, the only one of its kind in the world, is being built, to the west at Tamfourhill. This involves extending the Union Canal from its current insignificant terminus at Port Maxwell, building three new locks, a new tunnel, two new aqueducts, a bridge to take the canal under the railway, and a large basin as well as the wheel itself. So far, the Union Canal extension is progressing well and work has now started on the boat lift itself. It is all due to open early next year. Click here to see photos of progress of this major project, generously contributed by James Gentles.

Access Points

• A801 road
• Polmont (station road)
• Glen Village
• Falkirk (Greenbank)

Obstruction to Navigation

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