Falkirk - Edinburgh; winding in Edinburgh

[Stephan]

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dear members,

 

we are planning to go from Falkirk Wheel to Edinburgh late April this year.

 

I have some questions and hope you can help. I searched on the forum, but could not find the answers.

 

1. I read that there are not many winding options in Edinburgh Quay. Is there a maximum boat length so you can still wind?

2. If Edinburgh Quay is not an option, where can you moor so you can go to the city centre by public transport.

 

Thanks!

Stephan

 

[Graham.m]

According to Canal Planner http://canalplan.org.uk/cgi-bin/canal.cgi the route will only take 67 foot long boats which can wind at Edinburgh

 

More digging and the Edinburgh and Glasgow Union Canal will take 70 foot and they can wind at Edinburgh Quay according to the planner

 

So Falkirk Wheel to Edinburgh Quay looks OK

Edited January 3, 2016 by Graham.m

[Stephan]

Thanks Graham!

[The Bearwood Boster]

Make sure you have some time for a stop off in Linlithgow-very pleasant place with things to see & places to eat/drink.

[Iain_S]

There are winding holes at Harrison Park (a bit over a mile before Edinburgh Quay), Leamington Lift Bridge, and within Leamington Basin. All of these will take a 65 ft boat (the maximum length available for hire, due to the Forth and Clyde locks being 66ft)

 

There is usually plenty of room at Edinburgh Quay. If the pontoons are occupied, there are rings on the towpath side between the winding hole and Leamington Bridge. There are also moorings outside Edinburgh Quay, at Lochrin Basin, opposite the permanent moorings.

 

Winding at Edinburgh Quay can be tricky. The wind usually comes from the west, and blows straight down the canal, funnelled by buildings. This can mean that as soon as you start to reverse out of the winding hole, the boat is blown broadside onto the pontoons. Scottish Canals, in their wisdom, have rented out the mooring next to the winding hole, which makes things a bit trickier!

The safest and neatest method of winding is to drop a crew member off with the bow rope just before the winding hole, and use the bollard to hold the bow. It's best to stop the boat using engine, NOT the rope, otherwise the bow can slam against the side.

 

Leamington Lift Bridge has to be booked by phone, It's best to phone the day before, and again when passing the canoe club at Harrison Park, which gives about 20 minutes notice.

[Jerra]

There are winding holes at Harrison Park (a bit over a mile before Edinburgh Quay),

Is there? My daughter lives near the park and we have walked from there to the end often and I don't remember seeing a winding hole.

[Iain_S]

Is there? My daughter lives near the park and we have walked from there to the end often and I don't remember seeing a winding hole.

 

Next to the Edinburgh Canal Society Boathouse.

[Jerra]

 

Next to the Edinburgh Canal Society Boathouse.

Thanks I shall have to look more carefully next time I am up there.