The Falkirk Wheel - What is it? What's it for? And how did it come about?

The Falkirk Wheel, is the world's only rotating boat lift. But why is it so unique? Why is it so beautiful? And why is it needed?
The Falkirk Wheel is a functional work of art that joins the Union Canal to the Forth and Clyde Canal, connecting waterways between Edinburgh, Falkirk and Glasgow.
Follow my adventures as I travel through the landscapes and history of Scotland. I make quick, quirky and (hopefully) funny content about Scotland's past, people and scenery.
I look for the hidden stories, forgotten people and beautiful scenery of Scotland and try to find the funny in the darkness, obscurity and occasional absurdity of our history.
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Blue Snowball iCE USB Mic: amzn.to/3qvx2On
Filmed on Apple iPhone 11
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For all opportunities, please contact [e-mail]

[@Sh4peofmyheart]

That is definitely the coolest (and most beautiful) boat lift I've ever seen! 😮

[@scotlandunplugged]

Best one I’ve seen too 🙂

[@alanaw27]

It’s stunning. I live nearby an my daughter lives beside the canal. We’ve brought lots of visitors to see it and they’ve all been amazed. It’s possible to take a trip on a canal barge and go on The Wheel. I’d recommend it. The Kelpies are also well worth a visit.

[@kevanparker908]

Workshop where the Falkirk wheel was made. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nqPcYqB8d76mfMk

[@clairehislop5873]

The Wheel has always fascinated me, there's just something so majestic about it

[@DawnaLeigh]

Unbelievable! I had no idea there was something like that in existence. If it weren't for you I would still be in the dark. Thank you for another incredible journey through Scotland ❣️

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you!

[@shirleylaboy603]

I live near the Erie canal in central NY. It has much the same history with the making of the canal to the horses pulling the barges. Today, it still remains open and used for recreational boating as well as some commercial shipping in certain parts. Thank you for sharing the history of your canal. 🙂❤️

[@nataliegraham9552]

I grew up in Central PA and remember we listened to the song '15 Miles on the Erie Canal' in school when we had one of our history lessons, I think some time in middle school back in the ancient days of the mid-1970's. 😊 I found a few versions of it, where else but on YT 😄 kzbin.info/www/bejne/gKmuqmSVmJt3m68

[@scotlandunplugged]

I kept seeing info about the Erie canal when I was researching navvies. Seems to have been quite an undertaking! 😃

[@suellenspencer-eb2nv]

What a great video. Love Scotland's history. You make it come alive. Thank you.

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you! 😃

[@bethotoole6569]

I must admit I am so envious. I live in the US where it seems almost impossible for things to be built with any kind of intrinsic beauty. We do big, we do innovative, we don't do beauty very well though. Multiple decades ago I lived in Belgium. It was the first time I'd seen a canal in real life. Often still pulled by horses,, the barges seemed quaint. It was years before I truly understood the importance of them. They are quaint, and beautiful, and they were enormously important to the growth of their economies. Especially during the war.. I made friends with a woman whose husband ran a barge during the war... terrifying, heroic, yet to an outsider still very quaint. I envy where you live,, I appreciate that you are sharing that beauty. Oh yeah,,,, bring on the death!!!

[@scotlandunplugged]

😂 Death soon. Kilts first! Must admit, most of what we build is pretty functional. Even if I look at old street lamps in town I’m staggered by how full the new ones are. Never thought about barges during the war. Makes sense though!

[@bethotoole6569]

@@scotlandunplugged The older I get the more I believe in form over function!! She told me a story about him hiding two downed pilots in the piles of coal he was transporting on his barge. They got boarded,, but they didn't find them. He got them to the next transfer point.. they both made it. One came back to visit years after the war. He didn't tell her until after the war ended. She said she suspected it but never asked. He helped a lot of people. It was a very different time... History is filled with death! And kilts!!

[@scotlandunplugged]

@@bethotoole6569 That's a good story! Can only imagine the tension!

[@samanthadillard2853]

That boat lift thing at the end that is really really pretty and yes them horses are absolutely gorgeous

[@scotlandunplugged]

When you drive past them they really stand out!

[@salchipapa5843]

This is so cool. I am increasingly motivated to visit Scotland thanks to your videos.

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you! I’m biased, but well worth it 😂

[@lorettablakeman3335]

Me too!!

[@lechatbotte.]

I saw this wheel sometime back I thought it was so cool. We don’t have fun stuff like this so I’m living vicariously lol

[@scotlandunplugged]

😂

[@kimberlypatton205]

I remember seeing this a few years ago in another video and being in awe then! But on top of your excellent backstory, As a retired horticulturist I just cannot get over the breathtaking beauty of Scotland!

[@kathleendolan2062]

You are a joy to listen to. I love how you make history interesting. Thank you ❤️✌️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you! 😄

[@cindyrissal3628]

Dang, that thing is cool! Many kudos to the guy who came up with it. Much better than 44 gates & a whole day used up...

[@scotlandunplugged]

It sounds like quite a shift! 😃

[@margaretkaraba8161]

Weirdy, the movement of the rotating lock reminds me of a sewing machine bobbin/shuttle hook mechanism (which I find beautiful as well).

[@scotlandunplugged]

Ah yes! My grandad grew up in a draper’s shop and was always on his singer sewing machine! Sure he’d approve! 🙂

[@bobuncle8704]

That truly is a work of art

[@scotlandunplugged]

Would love to see more functional things designed that way 🙂

[@bobuncle8704]

@@scotlandunplugged there’s a cool overland boat railway on the Trent-Severn river here in Canada. It’s lock 44 Big Chute marine railway. Started construction in 1917. Quite fascinating as well.

[@sharonm3677]

Wow! Can you imagine back in that time period the brains it took for such a thing to even be built and work! Absolutely incredible to see the modern version of the boat lift. What an incredible intellectual work of art!

[@scotlandunplugged]

It’s quite something! 🙂 The locks are ingenious!

[@DrewShark11]

You have such a melodic voice and poetic way of speaking. History is made more entertaining by you. Thank you. (your humor is not wasted either)

[@junesmith852]

Hello from Perth Scotland...the hoof gp sent me hahaha ❤ so excited to watch all your video's as i love Scottish history ❤

[@scotlandunplugged]

Hello! 🙂

[@seuchengaul77]

one of the best closing sentences ever!

[@scotlandunplugged]

Haha. Thank you! 🙂

[@lindaarmstrongjackman9788]

That is a beautiful lift lock. For decades I lived near the Peterborough Liftlock on the Trent-Severn Waterway in Ontario, Canada. Ours is somewhat less sculptural, is the highest hydraulic lift lock in the world, with a lift of 19.8 metres. It has two chambers and was constructed between 1896 to 1904. 😊🇨🇦

[@scotlandunplugged]

That’s quite a height for a lock 😀

[@F1fan007]

Astounding engineering! What a great experience to get to take a ride on this. I remember going through the Dardanelle Lock system in Arkansas many years ago when I was in Boy Scouts. That was an amazing treat watching the gigantic lock doors open and shut for us. But this. Wow. The Falkirk Wheel is incredible. What a gorgeous Scottish engineering masterpiece.

[@JamieE76]

That's pretty cool. :)

[@alicegamble6145]

Amazing. Thanks for sharing.

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thanks for watching! 😁

[@angicatron8512]

Very cool!!

[@Hailstonepie]

Thank you honey much appreciated, always wanted the history on this, so want a go on the wheel.

[@scotlandunplugged]

It’s definitely worth seeing. You can do a tour on a boat and go up in the wheel 🙂

[@Hailstonepie]

Wicked, thank you.

[@whiskeycook3323]

Thanks for another great video

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thanks for watching! 😃

[@TheMeg0128]

That is the coolest invention ever! We have old locks here in Virginia… same thing happened here, once railroads came the river boat traffic ceased.

[@scotlandunplugged]

The Union Canal is five minutes from my front door. Great for leisure these days, but I can remember when it was a bit of a wasteland. Good to see these things come back 😄

[@mickeyh53]

I’ve always been fascinated by canals in both the UK & France..I subscribe to a few channels on KZbin regarding this subject..I’m drawn to the laidback lifestyle & the easy on the eye countryside..thank you Robert great video mate! 🇦🇺

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thanks, Michael! I love the fact the Union Canal runs right past my house. It means I can be running through countryside in a bout 15 minutes, and also that there are no hills! I’m tempted by a canal boat holiday but think my kids might get cabin fever! 😂

[@wendywhite4537]

Beautiful!

[@scotlandunplugged]

Quite something to see 😄

[@midgetuley4262]

So amazing and beautiful!.

[@scotlandunplugged]

It’s quite something! 🙂

[@kimberlythegamer308]

Awesome video as always and I love how more information about past videos gets weaved into new videos and continues the story

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you! It’s usually a case of stumbling across something 😂

[@Emma-Jayne]

Truly amazing piece of engineering there. All that work from one functional turn! Bloody brilliant ❤

[@scotlandunplugged]

It really is 🙂

[@kevanparker908]

English engineering at its best made by the Butterley Company.

[@donsland1610]

Visited and rode the wheel last year on a trip to Scotland. An amazing experience made all the more enjoyable by the wonderful staff.

[@barbridingsTheResinator]

How cool is this !? I had no idea this existed. Very cool video. 😮🧐🤓

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you! 😄

[@ramonadixon1291]

That was an interesting video. Here in the states my great! Grandfather actually helped build the Panama canal. I do realize the Panama canal zone is not in the United States, but I am here in the United States. He was there for 7 years or more. So it's interesting to see the difference in architecture and just the actual planning.

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you! The Panama Canal would have been quite a project! 7 years 😅

[@patriciamccormack7626Teashee]

Amazing Robert 😎, I never knew about this fantastic wheel and that's why I love your videos 👍 I've learned so much from you 👍 Thank You ❤

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you!

[@KnitWitch]

That is beautiful! For someone who hates heights, you sure put yourself up there a lot 😅

[@scotlandunplugged]

Haha. I can’t help it. 😂

[@DaleDix]

I've been on that on a holiday from Australia. And the horses are breathtaking close-up.

[@anthonyjancek2774]

Great channel!! I was sent here from your brother's channel The Hoof GP

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you! 🙂

[@camerongibson6342]

Great video Robbie, have never been to the Wheel but will go after watching your video

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thanks Cameron. Well worth a visit. You can take a boat trip but I ran out of time 😂

[@lindasworld5238]

This is so very cool! And I love how your videos sometimes tie in with each other, giving us more of the bigger picture.

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you! I just keep finding stuff out 😂

[@lindasworld5238]

@@scotlandunplugged 😁

[@elizabethghent194]

This the best video I have seen on You Tube for a long time, magnificent both history and visually. I watch many videos relating to Scotland and its history, how could have I missed your channel? Now I can spend my time catching up. Thank you so much. I am Scottish Canadian 81 years old. I have been on the Falkirk wheel it is amazing.

[@ladyintheskyuk]

Fantastic history and a brilliant production. Loved it. Thank you very much. 😊

[@amwelty]

Amazing! Well done.

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you! 😄

[@carleemckaskill6026]

Absolutely fascinating as always ❤

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you! 😄

[@janicerudeen210]

Really enjoy your videos....I've learned so much.

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you! So have I 😂

[@zainulabdin1720]

Love ❤ Scotland ❤. From Dubai ❣️ thanks for video 😊 scotland is my Dreamland:

[@nurmaybooba]

This is amazing! Brings pride to my bit of Scottish blood.

[@stephenoran2019]

This was amazing! I love that wheel. I have seen a few videos about it, but nobody every really got into the canals and all that! Good job! Thanks for this!

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thank you! 🙂

[@SafdarDurrani]

Oh now i see , thanx sar you inform us briefly about this incredible wheel ,,

[@karelcindrich1975]

What an odd looking but beautiful lift! When I first saw it, I thought lock and dam but, didn't know how it worked! That's a stunning view from the top!! And, those kelpie sculptures, beautiful but, I wonder what they'd look like in slate or bronze! 😉 Well, onward with my search for videos I haven't seen yet!! Love them ❤❤

[@scotlandunplugged]

Haha. I'm picturing them looking expensive in bronze.

[@karelcindrich1975]

@scotlandunplugged maybe you could suggest it to James!! He could make a tabletop version! 😊

[@hotcola6365]

Because Scotland has such beautiful weather and of course a boat lift that hardly anyone local ever uses to cruise grimy rain soaked canals is EXACTLY what we need !

[@IamGulzow]

Now that is awesome. I would love to ride a tour boat through that. Almost makes Snotlad seem worth visiting, almost.

[@ouarkie]

That’s awesome. Never knew anything like this existed. Thank you for posting!

[@scotlandunplugged]

Thanks for watching! 🙂

[@momnoah5]

That's awesome. Engineering at its best.

[@scotlandunplugged]

It’s something else 🙂

[@kevanparker908]

English engineering made by the Butterley Company near Ripley Derbyshire.

[@deniseatkins9407]

Amazing piece of engineering

[@scotlandunplugged]

I love how it uses so little power 😄

[@alrawi5308]

Truly amazing

[@barbarah-p8661]

Very cool. that is amazing.

[@RachelleNorton-j2p]

That is amazing

[@kd0r]

My wife and I did both canals in '07. The lift was of course the peak experience of that trip. At that point the Kelpies were not yet built.

[@barbaracarlsen6475]

That is incredible!

[@jamesparkersculpture]

Brilliant - imagine if the navvies could see that!

[@scotlandunplugged]

Would probably blow their minds. You have to wonder what they were thinking about as they dug…

[@joanne85201]

Wow, amazing!

[@nadinedeeren9861]

That's freaking AWESOME!!! I have got to take a trip to Scotland.

[@scotlandunplugged]

It’s not bad (you can take a boat trip that goes on the wheel) 🙂

[@patsymartin3634]

I'm impressed wow that's fascinating

[@janetmackinnon3411]

Interesting--thank you.

[@mtrn8]

The canal, lock, basin and tunnel to the wheel was right behind my house when i lived there. Used to go to the irn bru kids play. park. Moved a few years ago.

[@kimfleury]

Having worked as a cook on cargo vessels both on the inland rivers and the Great Lakes, I've spent a good deal of time in locks. I thought that was an engineering marvel in itself, but the Falkirk Wheel is spectacular.

[@catsandcrafts171]

Well! I never knew that's what a 'navvie' was!!! Heck! I thought a navvy was just any old labourer kind of job!

[@scotlandunplugged]

It kind of is now 🙂

[@jodifinnegan4453]

Amazing!! 👍🏼

[@scotlandunplugged]

It’s quite something 🙂

[@koriw1701]

Is there any foot traffic on the lock? I'm guessing that there isn't but what it would be a wonder to see up close! How close can pedestrians get to the lock?

[@scotlandunplugged]

You can use some if them, but in this stretch they have people opening and closing them. There were fences around the lock I filmed (was pretty deep) 🙂

[@goossensmarianne5940]

❤❤❤ Genius!!

[@hettyscetty9785]

My fiancé stays two minutes away from the falkirk wheel, we've been together for four years and I've still not been up to it, although I've seen it when coming out the street. However, he thinks its just a glorified boatlift because its something he's seen everyday since he was a child. But I kind of like the way this video sort of makes the story behind it seem romantic.

[@Nrscathy60]

I love the history, but I'm a visual learner. Like this clip, you show a map. Show more map in your videos to give me ( and others) an idea of where you are. Thanks!❤

[@jillcrowe2626]

Modern buildings in San Diego are made just like a Lego building that you built when you were a child. Entire floors can be used as open spaces or as individual offices, or a combination of both. The elevators are fixed in place, as is the plumbing.

[@robertacomstock3655]

1.5 kWatt - hours would boil 8... tea kettles? Kettle isn't a standardized unit in Missouri. I first imagined a witch's cauldron, but ran it through my "ear buffers" (a technical term I borrowed from printer buffer) again & recalled the kettle commonly mentioned in UK is somewhat smaller. So, "mental" is the efficiency, then?

[@junesmith852]

I was brought up in a little village called Dunning in perthshire...lot's of history but 1 i remember is the grave of "Maggie Walls" last women to be burnt as a witch in Scotland..Dunning has a historical society if you would be interested in checking it out. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🤔

[@scotlandunplugged]

That’s an interesting story. I need to do something on James the 6th, amateur daemonologist! 🙂

[@kevanparker908]

There are photographs of the side of the Falkirk wheel lying in the workshop on the internet but they cannot be copied or shared sadly.

[@LeesaDeAndrea]

I never would have guessed that's what it was. I was guessing it was some kind of flood control contraption.

[@scotlandunplugged]

Ah, yes. I can see that!

[@petercurrell9344]

I've been in meny boat lifts oner the last 62 years but this one is strange. Instead of going up you your boat water and tank moves sideways when you expected to rise.

[@Man_fay_the_Bru]

It’s actually there to lift the kemlin young team up to tamfourhill to batter there young team

[@herstoryswitness]

Wow! America's Erie canal has the same history except...we still have lock masters. Can we borrow some engineers from Scotland?

[@kevanparker908]

Made at the Butterley Company near Ripley Derbyshire England then transported by road to Scotland, The firm who also built St Pancras station London founded by Benjamin Outram

[@scotlandunplugged]

Ah. Interesting!

[@kevanparker908]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fKu0p5-mjrh8qc0

[@kevanparker908]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/nqPcYqB8d76mfMk

[@justalad9688]

I stay 5 minutes away from the Falkirk wheel 😁

[@mschoy1597]

Can you go over why words are pronounced the way they are? My only inclination is that the English language changed over time and you've kept the old pronounciation even though the spelling may have changed. For instance, you say "E-din-ba-ra" when it is spelled "Edinburgh".

[@scotlandunplugged]

I’m not really qualified but I know in a lot of cases the spelling of words is closer to original, old English pronunciation. I think the US pronunciation of burgh as “berg” might be more European though, like Hamburg or Salzburg. Don’t quote me in that though 😂

[@darugdawg2453]

My question is, why?

[@graememckay9972]

What's it for? It was to join two canals without the need for lots of locks but now it's just a money maker for Scottish canals because I think they stopped boats from using it unless it was the tour boats that go from the bottom basin up the wheel to the top basin and back again.

[@markthomasson5077]

I live not far away, always thought this was a vanity project and a waste of money. I have yet to see a craft going between the two canals. …but what is amazing is that it has become a money earning tourist attraction, with punters going up and down in the tourist barges. Ps. Those ears actually serve no function