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Boat lift linking the Forth and Clyde Canals with the Union Canal .. Falkirk Wheel boat lift at sunset .. Close up of Falkirk Wheel boat lift in Scotland ..

The Falkirk Wheel

The Falkirk Wheel and Visitor Centre

The Falkirk Wheel is a rotating boat lift, which connects the Forth and Clyde Canals with the Union Canal. It’s a great day out for all the family, just an hour’s drive from us here at Loch Lomond Waterfront. You can see the wheel for yourself and even take a spin on the boat lift. There’s also a visitor centre with an exhibition, gift shop and café. Plus a range of fun outdoor activities.

Boat trips and activities

One of the highlights on a visit to the Falkirk Wheel is a ride on the famous rotating boat lift. Book your boat trip in advance and enjoy this unique experience. You can also see the lift in action from the visitor centre viewing area.

Other activities available include peddle boats, bumper boats, segways, archery, paddle boarding, waterzorbing, bike hire and mini golf. Along with a kids activity zone and splash zone.

There’s a gift shop and food stalls selling a variety of refreshments too.

Learn about the history of the Falkirk Wheel

Be sure to look out for the information on the history of the Falkirk Wheel. This amazing feat of engineering, which connects the Forth and Clyde Canals with the Union Canal, has an interesting story. The canals were once linked by a series of eleven locks, which boats would spend hours travelling through. But by 1933, the locks were dismantled, the route closed and eventually the canals fell into disuse. The Falkirk Wheel, built as part of the Millennium Link project and opened in 2002, re-connecting the canals and allowing boats to pass between them once more. There’s lots of information and some interactive displays at the visitor centre, so you can learn all about the Falkirk Wheel and how it was built.

Visitor information

Find visitor information, opening times and details on boat trips and activities on the Scottish Canals website. We’d also recommend a visit to The Kelpies while you’re in the area. And check out our Local Guide for more ideas of exciting things to do during your stay with us at Loch Lomond Waterfront.

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Testimonials

  • Such a beautiful setting

    'Myself and my partner recently stayed in Drummond Lodge (from 21-24 Feb) and we just wanted to say thank you so much for a lovely stay. We loved our lodge, it was like a home from home, and we really didn’t want to leave! It was spotlessly clean and in such a beautiful setting. All the staff we met were really friendly. We also loved Balmaha, what a wonderful village. So thank you very much! We are the couple that took Flynn for a walk and we took this photo of him... we thought you’d appreciate a copy. Thanks once again...

  • A perfect place to relax

    'Stayed at the Waterfront Lodges for a Fri to Mon short break for our daughters birthday last weekend. Lodge was placed right on the edge of Loch Lomond with stunning views.'

  • Outstanding location

    'The location is outstanding - right on the edge of Loch Lomond with private water frontage and beaches. As a location for exploring, again this rates very highly. We easily accessed central Glasgow by train from nearby Balloch and also explored Stirling (particularly the castle and Wallace memorial), the Falkirk Wheel and even Perth and Pitlochry by car. It is a very peaceful place, which can only be disturbed on occasion by your neighbours but with the Slumber Charter in place, we had absolutely no problems overnight.'

  • Wish we had longer

    'The ducks were very amusing, each day they waddled around the lodges looking for food, we bought some duck food for them in the local village shop. We just wished we were here for longer and hope to return in the future.'

  • Our own private beach

    'Just walking along the West Highland way path past some of the crowded beaches made us realise the value of having your own private waterfront onto the loch.  I can still picture walking down to the lochside on our first evening and watching an osprey dive for a fish!'

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