Union Canal

[heinous seamus]

Where does it actually go once it enters Edinburgh?

I have an old street map of Edinburgh in which it disappears in Tollcross. That can't be right, surely.

 

[bodach]

This might help.

 

[Superdupastupor]

it terminates just behind the mceawn brewery

 

[heinous seamus]

SO did it never go right down to the docks?

 

[bodach]

I don't think it did, but my life's too short to lose any sleep over it. Maybe, if you find out, you could let me know.

Try this.

 

[pogofish]

No, It joined the Forth & Clyde Canal at Falkirk & that connected to the docks at Grangemouth.

http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/falkirk/unioncanal/index.html

 

[bodach]

Nice one Mr. fish.

 

[pogofish]

Much more info & pics here:

http://www.gentles.info/link/Quay/edinburghquay.htm

Incl lots on Lochrin today:

http://www.henniker.org.uk/html/tollcross.htm


Map of its original Terminus. Port Hamilton & Port Hopetoun have long vanished under development (1922).

 

[heinous seamus]

Cheers guys. I always assumed the canal had went right down to Leith. I'm sure it does in Young Adam by Trocchi.

I'm gonna cycle right into Edinburgh along the canal and then I might grab a pint and get the train home. I made it from Linlithgow to Winchburgh in about half an hour last weekend so it shouldn't take too long.

 

[pogofish]

While we are on the subject of Scottish canals, there is a stretch of the former Monklands Canal in Lanarkshire also cyclable.

http://www.northlan.gov.uk/leisure+and+tourism/sports+activities/cycling/monkland+canal.html

http://www.monklands.co.uk/features/monklandcanal.htm

 

[Superdupastupor]

Never knew there were those ports there in the old days. used to play in a park where Port Hamilton is. Last time I walked past the park was dug up I think for a new massive new housing scheme( the posh type).

Ever changing cityscapes eh?

good luck with the bike ride. I have been planning a similar one for many years but never have as yet got round to it

 

[pogofish]

Over the weekend, I noticed that the Scottish Meet-ups Flickr group is trying to put together a cycling meet along the Union Canal. Think they were still at the point of discussing dates etc.

 

[heinous seamus]

I'm gonna do it TODAY. Just as soon as I make myself a packed lunch and have a shower.

 

[pogofish]

Excellent. Hope you get as good a day as it is up here.

 

[heinous seamus]

I wasn't that nice down here. Cloudy and a breeze blowing into me the whole way. It took me about 3 hours though, and I got a flat tyre in Gorgie. I was expecting to have to leave the canal in Wester Hailes but they've built a new bit there. I suppose I have to cycle the other way to Glasgow now eh!

 

[pogofish]

Dunt for gaijingirl.

 

[ChocolateTeapot]

Cheers guys. I always assumed the canal had went right down to Leith. I'm sure it does in Young Adam by Trocchi.

I'm gonna cycle right into Edinburgh along the canal and then I might grab a pint and get the train home. I made it from Linlithgow to Winchburgh in about half an hour last weekend so it shouldn't take too long.

The bit in Young Adam on the canal is actually going the other way i.e. east to west: much of the external camera work on the barge is around Polwarth - Harrison Gardens area, I am guessing because the trees and bushes are so dense and overgrown around there, that it relatively easy not omit any details that show things aren't in the 1950's.

And my old flat window goes by in the background about 40 mins into the film.

 

[gaijingirl]

We did this last weekend.. we cycled along the Leith waterway (which does go down to the port) - all the way to where it meets the Union Canal - then we rode the canal to the Falkirk wheel - which is the most fascinating bit of machinery I have ever seen (and that's a statement I never thought I'd make!).

It was a great ride, although the canal did get a bit samey after a while. However, the variety of areas we saw en route was really interesting and we went over some STUNNING aquaducts and through a brilliant tunnel!

ETA - thanks for that tip off Pogofish.. we printed off two rides that you suggested - the other we'll do another time, goes near to Haddington which is where the wedding we attended was held.

 

[heinous seamus]

The bit in Young Adam on the canal is actually going the other way i.e. east to west: much of the external camera work on the barge is around Polwarth - Harrison Gardens area, I am guessing because the trees and bushes are so dense and overgrown around there, that it relatively easy not omit any details that show things aren't in the 1950's.

And my old flat window goes by in the background about 40 mins into the film.

I was talking about the book. Not actually seen the film!

 

[ChocolateTeapot]

Oh, OK fair enough: I have only ever read Cain's Book by him.

The film is OK-ish, very gritty and grim: not sure how appealing it would be to people who don't recognise the locale. Mind you, I had the misfortune to see it at that god awful blue Odeon on Lothian Road: most of the film was drowned out by the soundtrack of the film playing next door, which, by the sounds of it, featured Bruce Willis in a vest.

 

[heinous seamus]

I see the canal burst its banks during the other night's storm