Union Canal Evening Walk - Stage 1
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We plan to run these at four-weekly intervals during the spring and summer months, interspersed with a similar series of walks along the Forth & Clyde Canal in the west.
Completed in 1822 to transport coal and minerals to Edinburgh, the Union Canal is approximately 31 miles (50 km) in length. After falling into disuse in 20th century, having succumbed to more modern means of transport, the Union Canal enjoyed a new lease of life as part of the Millenium Link project, which also saw the canal reconnected to the Forth & Clyde Canal by means of a boat lift (The Falkirk Wheel).
With the nights only just starting to get light, our first leg of the series will cover just 5 miles (8 km) of the route from its eastern terminus at Lochrin Basin to just short of the Edinburgh City bypass. The stages will get longer as we get into summer!
What to bring
The walk is on well surfaced towpaths so no special equipment is required to participate in the walk. However if the weather has been wet, the path may be muddy in places, so it would be a good idea to wear sturdy shoes or trainers and of course bring waterproofs in case of the inevitable!
Food & drink
There will not be time for any food stops during the walk, so if possible please have your evening meal before the start of the walk or have something to eat en route if catching the train to the start. You may wish to bring something to drink and a snack to eat on the move during the walk. We may head for some refreshements in town after the walk.