Canal walk across Scotland

Fancy crossing Scotland’s central belt on foot without having to get entangled in motorways, housing complexes, shopping malls or industrial estates? Following the towpaths of the Forth and Clyde Canal and the Union Canal provides a fantastic green and watery corridor across Scotland passing the impressive Falkirk Wheel, remains of the Antonine Wall built by the Romans, and clues to Scotland’s industrial heritage as well as numerous nature reserves and surprisingly quiet countryside. Walkhighlands now hosts the only online in-depth description of this route which is soon to be promoted as one of 20 long distance walks to be known as Scotland’s Great Trails.

National Lottery and other funds were used to regenerate both the Forth & Clyde and Union canals as part of the Millennium celebrations in 2000 and the Falkirk Wheel, a unique boat lift, was completed in 2002 to provide a link between the two canals and allow boats to travel from the Clyde or Glasgow to Edinburgh. The towpaths of the two canals make possible a straightforward walking route between Bowling on the Clyde west of Glasgow, and Lochrin Basin in Edinburgh.

The 101km route on Walkhighlands is split into 6 fairly easy going sections. Excellent transport links along the way mean that the route can either be completed as separate day walks, undertaken in a leisurely week, or as a shorter challenge. Many sections are also popular as cycling or running routes. The free route description, complete with free OS 1:25,000 mapping, on Walkhighlands has been developed with the support of Scottish Natural Heritage which has the role of promoting Scotland’s Great Trails and is keen for more people to discover these routes and share their experiences with others online. Using Walkhighlands walkers can post photos and write about their walk as well as reading others’ experiences and reviews. Walkers can also log which of the Great Trails they have completed, maybe even setting the goal of completing all 20 which include the West Highland Way as well as lesser known gems such as the Cateran Trail in Highland Perthshire.

Find the Forth & Clyde and Union Canal route on Walkhighlands and be inspired to set out across Scotland.