Steamboating on the Scottish Canals
Posted: Tue May 13, 2014 3:14 am
Having spent much time in Glasgow Scotland this year, I was pleased to learn of a steamboat outing originating at the Falkirk Wheel. On the 21st of April I had arrived in Scotland on business, but the day's work was cancelled, so I decided to visit the wheel which is the only rotating boat lift in the world, 115 feet high, connecting two Scottish canals. In the basin was a steam launch, Suilven, and the owner, Mr. John Hendry was kind enough to take me on a steamboat ride for a few miles on the lower (Forth and Clyde) canal. I also met Gudmund Jorgensen and a few others who were on this outing of a single steamer.
A steamboat ride up the Falkirk Wheel, onto the upper (Union) canal was scheduled for the 2nd of May, but my work prevented my arrival at the wheel in time to join the steamers. A taxi ride found the steamers, and I got onto Gudmund Jorgensen's steamer Silkie where we cruised to a small inlet for lunch. Six steamboats in all, including Suilven, Lady Ashton, Talisker, Aurora, and Vesuvius. I then hitched a ride on the steamer Vesuvius, owned by Roger Heise, as the group continued along the Union Canal. We all stoped at Linithgow, about half way to Edinburgh, where we had a very nice diner, mostly fish and chips, as well as some wine. The hospitality was very fine, a most enjoyable outing through the Scottish countryside.
A steamboat ride up the Falkirk Wheel, onto the upper (Union) canal was scheduled for the 2nd of May, but my work prevented my arrival at the wheel in time to join the steamers. A taxi ride found the steamers, and I got onto Gudmund Jorgensen's steamer Silkie where we cruised to a small inlet for lunch. Six steamboats in all, including Suilven, Lady Ashton, Talisker, Aurora, and Vesuvius. I then hitched a ride on the steamer Vesuvius, owned by Roger Heise, as the group continued along the Union Canal. We all stoped at Linithgow, about half way to Edinburgh, where we had a very nice diner, mostly fish and chips, as well as some wine. The hospitality was very fine, a most enjoyable outing through the Scottish countryside.