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.
Steamboating on the Scottish Canals
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fredrosse
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Steamboating on the Scottish Canals
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- Falkirk Wheel, Boat Lift, Canal to Canal
- FalkirkWheel1.JPG (103.83 KiB) Viewed 11913 times
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- 28 ft Launch Suilven
- Suliven.JPG (80.17 KiB) Viewed 11913 times
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- Final Destination Union Canal Basin at Linlithgow
- Canal Basin.JPG (126.25 KiB) Viewed 11913 times
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steamdon-jr
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Re: Steamboating on the Scottish Canals
Fred, I am starting to dislike you...so jealous. More pictures please.
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fredrosse
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Re: Steamboating on the Scottish Canals
A few more Pictures. These launches are all very polished!
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- Canal Inlet for Lunch
- Group.jpg (88.98 KiB) Viewed 11867 times
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- How can one get such a perfect coordination of colours?
- PerfectColorMatch.jpg (42.13 KiB) Viewed 11867 times
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- Excellent Machine and hospitality
- Vesuvius.jpg (59.84 KiB) Viewed 11867 times
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fredrosse
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Re: Steamboating on the Scottish Canals
At the Falkirk Wheel and its basin. Somewhat disconcerting to be traveling on the high canal approaching the Wheel.
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- Approaching the wheel
- EnterWheel.jpg (45.19 KiB) Viewed 11867 times
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- Quite an elevation change, looking down on some narrow boats
- OnWheelLookingDown.jpg (58.33 KiB) Viewed 11867 times
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- A canal viaduct, stone and higher than all the countryside
- HiStoneViaduct.jpg (43.2 KiB) Viewed 11867 times
Last edited by fredrosse on Wed May 14, 2014 12:34 am, edited 1 time in total.
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fredrosse
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Re: Steamboating on the Scottish Canals
A couple of more, and note the Jolly Roger also flies in Scotland
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- Glad to see a fellow Pirate
- Jolly.jpg (69.59 KiB) Viewed 11866 times
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- Leaving the Wheel's Basin on a conventional lock to the lower canal
- LockOut.jpg (37.83 KiB) Viewed 11866 times
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- Smoke and Steam, Great Stuff
- Talisker.jpg (19.3 KiB) Viewed 11866 times
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fredrosse
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Re: Steamboating on the Scottish Canals
In Glasgow I also had the pleasure of visiting the Waverly, the only seagoing paddle steamer in the world that regularly operates. It was in the overhaul process when I visited, great ship, triple expansion steamer. Thanks to Gudmund Jorgensen, arranging for me to be allowed a personal tour of the ship.
Hope you are not too offended Don!
Hope you are not too offended Don!
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- In Glasgow for overhaul
- Waverly.jpg (43.61 KiB) Viewed 11866 times
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- So nice
- WaverlyGauges.jpg (58.21 KiB) Viewed 11866 times
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- Fred next to the cranks
- WaverlyCranks.jpg (50.27 KiB) Viewed 11866 times
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Gudmund
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Re: Steamboating on the Scottish Canals
More pictures can be seen at http://www.nilshartel-photography.co.uk/p448533701 there is proof that Fred was here!
Gudmund
Gudmund
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steamdon-jr
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Re: Steamboating on the Scottish Canals
Thanks Gudmond, those pictures are amazing.