Black Prince - Falkirk Base

Scottish Canal Closure: updated 3 September 2020
Due to a breach between Polmont and Muiravonside, which lies between our base at Falkirk and Edinburgh, the Grand Union Canal in Scotland is currently closed and most likely will not re-open for the rest of the 2020 season.

Holidays from our base at Falkirk are still available for cruising along the Forth & Clyde Canal as far as Stockingfield Junction on the outskirts of Glasgow.

Return to 2021 Rates

Click here for other bases in the United Kingdom

Falkirk: Glasgow, Edinburgh & Falkirk Wheel

Click for larger image

Boat Availability Sat 2.30pm - Tues 2.30pm  |  Wed 9.30am - Sat 9.30am Princess 2  |  Princess 4  |  Duchess 4  |  Princess 6 Fri 2.30pm - Mon 9.30am  |  Mon 2.30pm - Fri 9.30am Princess 2  |  Shakespeare 4  |  Lautrec 4

Based at the Falkirk Wheel, one of the most stunning backdrops anywhere on the canals, we are ideally sited half way between Edinburgh and Glasgow. The Falkirk Wheel is 115 feet high – the equivalent height of eight double decker buses and offers visitors a real treat.

Click here for Base Information

Suggested Routes From Falkirk
Route A  |  Route B

Click here for larger image

1. EDINBURGH & RETURN - ROUTE A
66 Miles  |  6 Locks  |  1 Week Cruise  |  6 hours per day

The journey begins at the Falkirk Wheel, situated half way between Edinburgh and Glasgow and one of the most stunning backdrops to any canal in the UK. The Wheel is the world’s first rotating boat lift, cost £17million and is the height of eight double decker buses, 115 feet wide and 100 feet long.

After leaving the Falkirk Wheel you will travel down the Union Canal, which was originally used as a commercial waterway to transport coal before its closure in 1930. Your cruise will then take you over the magnificent Almond Aqueduct, which is 420 feet long and carries the Union Canal 76 feet above the River Almond. Your journey heads through the villages of Linlithgow and Ratho. Linlithgow is an ancient royal burgh, which lies south of two famous landmarks, Linlithgow Palace and Linlithgow Loch.

Linlithgow Palace is arguably Scotland’s finest surviving late medieval building and was the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots. The grounds are home to a beautiful public park known as The Peel, which is perfect for picnics. Linlithgow lock is popular for water sports and is also a notable spot for bird watching. It is three quarters of a mile long and contains a fishery. Your final destination is Ratho, which is home to the Edinburgh Canal Centre. This popular stop has two restaurant boats and the much-loved Bridge Inn.

If you head into Edinburgh there are many incredible attractions to seek out. Most famous of these is the stunning Edinburgh Castle which overlooks Royal Mile, the oldest section of Edinburgh and home to a number of important landmarks, tourist shops and lots of ghostly tours. If you have time, tour the Scotch Whisky Experience and enjoy the amazing optical illusions that are a feature of Camera Obscura – both attractions are close to the castle. A short list of other popular landmarks includes the National Monument of Scotland on Calton Hill, the Scott Monument at the Prince Street Gardens and the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

Click here for larger image

2. GLASGOW & EDINBURGH - ROUTE B
136 Miles  |  14 Locks  |  1 Week Cruise  |  6 hours per day

Our stunning Glasgow and Edinburgh canal boat holiday cruise begins at the Falkirk Wheel, one of the most stunning backdrops to any canal in the UK. The Wheel, around the height of eight double decker, is the world’s first rotating boat lift.

Upon leaving Falkirk Wheel you cruise along the Union Canal and over the magnificent Almond Aqueduct, which is 420 feet long and carries the canal 76 feet above the River Almond. Next, head through Linlithgow and stop off to see Linlithgow Palace, arguably Scotland’s finest surviving medieval building and birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots. The palace grounds house a beautiful public park known as The Peel, which is perfect for picnics.

Just down the water is Ratho, home to Edinburgh Canal Centre, and then the capital city itself. Edinburgh offers a mixture of beautiful iconic landmarks and symbols of contemporary British culture. Be sure to the see the stunning Edinburgh Castle, stroll along the Royal Mile and visit the Scotch Whisky Experience to try the ‘water of life’

Once you have finished sightseeing in Edinburgh, head back towards Falkirk and descend the Wheel to join the Forth and Clyde Canal. This will take you through splendid scenery and villages such as Auchinstarry – the site of a Roman fort, and Kirkintilloch, which dates back to the 13th century. Finally, you will pass through the picturesque Cadder Village and on to Glasgow.

Glasgow, Scotland’s biggest city, is a stylish centre with great shopping, nightlife and world famous art collections. Buchanan Street is one of Britain’s finest for high-street and designer fashions and leads to the Gallery of Modern Art on Royal Exchange Square – an oasis of calm after a retail overload. There are several magnificent museums and galleries in Glasgow, including the School of Art, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum and the People’s Palace – plenty to keep you going!

 
Falkirk Base Information

Hotels / Guest Houses

Best Western Park Lodge Hotel, Camelon Riad, Falkirk, FK1 5RY Telephone: 01324 628331 55 Rooms.  No pets www.bw-parkhotel.co.uk Double / Single Rooms inc breakfast £65

Public Transport

Nearest Railway Station: Falkirk High Station or Falkirk Grahamston National Rail Enquiries: www.nationalrail.co.uk Tel: 08457 484950 www.thetrainline.com Tel: 0871 244 1545 www.scotrail.co.uk   Nearest Airport: Edinburgh Tel. 0131 333 1000 www.edinburghairport.com

Taxi / Minicabs

Express Taxis: Telephone. 01324 622100 Bruce's Taxis: Telephone. 01324 636000 Stenhouse Taxis: Telephone. 01324 551161 Example Prices: Approximate prices: (Prices courtesy of Express Taxis – subject to change) Falkirk train station to Falkirk: £8 Edinburgh Airport to Falkirk: £38 Glasgow Airport to Falkirk: £45 Prestwick Airport to Falkirk: £80

Car Hire

Hertz Car Hire have depots throughout the UK including main airports. We have an exclusive agreement with Hertz who will provide reduced rates for all Black Prince customers. Drop-offs, collections and one ways are all available, allowing you to pick up a car at your arrival point and request a car to be waiting at the end of your holiday for onward travel. To book your car visit www.hertz.co.uk or call 0870 844 4844 and quote CDP 694816.

How To Find Us (By Car)

From Edinburgh: Take the A8 for Glasgow and the West. At Newbridge roundabout take the M9 West for Stirling. Take the slip road off for Falkirk (Junction 5). Signs on the M9 indicate you should continue straight ahead for the Falkirk Wheel, but if you do not leave the motorway at junction 5 you will end up at the wrong car park. Once off at junction 5, follow the signs for the Falkirk Wheel/Mariner Centre, which will take you past Falkirk Football stadium and an ASDA distribution centre. This will eventually bring you to the Rosebank Beefeater restaurant at the Forth and Clyde canal. At the roundabout take a left and cross the canal (signposted for the Falkirk Wheel Service and disabled entrance). Immediately across the canal at the mini roundabout turn right. ***You will now be driving with the canal on your right-hand side and can follow the yellow AA Falkirk Wheel signs from here. At the second mini roundabout (with the Union Inn in front of you), go left up the hill and then take the first right. At the next mini roundabout, turn right to enter the Falkirk Wheel site. Park on the right, come down the hill, walk through the reception, turn right and our office is facing you. From Glasgow: Take the A80 to the north of Castlecary and join the M876 towards Stirling. Exit at Junction 1 and follow the signs for Falkirk – (it is a severe left hand bend) and turn left at the junction. You will almost immediately come to a large roundabout and again follow the signs for Falkirk (straight through). Approximately 4 km on and you will see the new Falkirk Wheel Park & Ride area to your right and the new roundabout. THIS IS NOT THE CAR PARK YOU WANT TO BE IN. Continue to drive through into Camelon until you reach the Mariner Centre (on left) and a large roundabout about 100 yards further on. From here drive straight on towards Falkirk town until you reach the Rosebank Beefeater restaurant/Premier Inn on your right. At this roundabout go straight through then immediately right, you have now crossed to the correct side of the canal. Now follow instructions in previous section ***(from Edinburgh)   www.theaa.com/route-planner By Train Catch a train to Falkirk High station or Falkirk Grahamston station. Groceries

Tesco, Asda, and Morrisons are all within a ten minute drive from the Falkirk Wheel. Alternatively, shopping can be ordered on-line through the tesco website and delivered directly to the Falkirk base. You will need to access the website, login on as info@capercailliecruisers.co.uk, using the password: shopping. It will need to be paid for on your own card – just remember not to save the card details to the account !

Top of page