glad to see there are more and more boats on the canal... seems, there used to be maybe a dozen actual live in boats on this whole stretch in the 2000s/2010s. as for the industrial part... whilst those new apartments are in the place of some older industrial warehouses, this canal never had an "industrial past", rather, a branch, bringing produce (and in it's early days also canal-ferries) from the industrial areas to wealthy consumers in the Auld-reeky... basically, it was a canal allowing easier delivery of things to the markets/shops of the High-Street...
Another typically top shelf video, beautifully edited. There's something magical about Edinburgh and having been there twice now, it was nice to see some familiar sights. Never made it to the canal there although we did get to see it at the Falkirk Wheel and the staircase locks near Fort William that were quite awe-inspiring. You certainly know how to capture the scenic essence superbly, Lorna. Thanks for sharing.
I used to live beside the canal at the Lochrin Basin end and walked my dogs along the towpath daily. I enjoyed your video and description of it. I think, speaking for myself and people I knew, we were more interested in connecting with the nature and wildlife in the area rather than its industrial past. That for me was the most important part and gave it purpose.
about Edinburgh, whilst the high-town is, as commonly, a Castle town *(following the defendable ridge)... Edinburgh's traditional industrial areas did in fact follow a river as it's center, that being the Water of Leith, a river that fed many of the mills forming the villages of the lower city... and in it's lower regions became a strong natural harbor. I believe in the early days, barges would go up the rapids as far as Dean Village. late 19th century development does sort of mask it, but it was a major spine of the city back in the day.
I have just moved back to Scotland from Northampton and the difference in narrowboat traffic is palpable! Loved your Falkirk wheel video - it's an amazing construction. Hope you're keeping well!
The cat was gorgeous...and spoke a lot of sense :) I've walked along the Union canal when I've been in Edinburgh and thought it looked beautiful, but as you saw, there was very little movement. I haven't any experience of it in Glasgow though, even though I've been to Glasgow quite a few times. Must make an effort next time I'm in Glasgow. I have been to the Falkirk Wheel though which is FANTASTIC! :) Great vlog as usual Laura! :)
That was a great video, really interesting. What a shame there was only one boat travelling on the canal. Edinburgh isn’t that far from my home in the north and I’ve visited many times but it’s a strange place I always feel. Glasgow is fantastic though. I’m catching up on YpuTube as I’ve been busy with my new puppy, the third since I left TfL on 30th June last year! I hope you’re well. Thanks for the video.
You really did nail it regarding the Union Canal, although what you saw in Edinburgh doesn't really reflect the true reality. At least you didn't go as far as Dumbryden and Wester Hailes (think Kirkstall in Leeds or Burnley, where 4 mph is not fast enough, and you need to be through it before 10 am to avoid hassle). There are plenty of hire boats available at Falkirk, which gives you a chance to go over the Wheel, which has to be experienced to be believed. The main problem with the Union is that apart from Tesco in Falkirk, Linlithgow and Ratho, moorings are poor. The canal is very weedy (lack of boats) and towpath mooring is difficult due to the overgrown towpaths. After 10 years of never having to open the weed hatch due to blockage, on the Union, I was freeing the prop 3 times in 4 days. The Forth-Clyde is also a little difficult for the same reason regarding moorings, and also for some of the areas the canal goes through - for safety, it is all down to timing. One upside is the Falkirk Wheel - I cannot say enough about this. For a day visit, it is free, unless you want to take the pleasure boat over it. If you are in your own boat, or in a hire, it is free to use - what does the Anderton Boat Lift currently charge? (Scottish Canals take the view that if you have a boat there, you have paid to get it there, so they won't charge you to use the Wheel). One other downside for all the Scottish Canals.... all locks are keeper-controlled, and have to be booked in advance - I love doing locks with other boaters, as it's a great way to get advice on moorings, pubs, problems.....
Great having a look at the canal. I was actually at the moorings last week checking them out as I’m toying with the idea of becoming a liveaboard since I work in Edinburgh. Still unsure though as my boating experience is usually down on the Norfolk Broads and not Narrowboats. Might hire one out for a week later in the year and try it out and see just how different the two styles of boating are 😀 Loving your videos and next time your up this way give us a shout in advance and would love to meet up for a cuppa to say hi 😀
LOL I started watching this thinking my god she done a interesting trip how do you get a narrowboat from London to. Edinburgh ! Best Regards Dave, Jo and Louie 👍😀🐾
I was watching one of your past videos about staying cool in the summer. May I ask what is the temperature of the water in your canal? If it is cooler than the Ambient Air Temperature, you could use a low volume pump to draw water out of the canal and run it through a radiator, like some boats have for heat on cooler days. I might have sent you this information before. Thai baths save water. In Thailand water is a precious resource even though they live under the influence of a Monsoon season. Taking a bath, the Thais use a (6 cup) cooking pot to take a bath. The Thais have a bathtub full of water in their bathrooms, this allows the water to rise to the ambient temperature, much of the country is Tropical or semi-tropical, they save Energy by using the Ambient Air Temperatures to warm their tub of bath water. To bath, they fill the 1st pot of water and slowly pour it to wet their whole body, top to bottom. They refill the pot a 2nd time before they soap-up. They soap their whole bodies including their hair, then they rinse using the refilled pot. 3rd pot, (making sure their hands are free of soap) before they refill the third pot of water to thoroughly rinse their long hair, men often skip this step. Total water used, 18 cups, think about that? 18 cups of water to bath. In the tropics it gets very hot at night, they sometimes use one or two pots of water to cool off, lightly dry themselves, it acts as an Air Conditioner or a Cooling Effect. In the United States, we will fill a bathtub from 4 inches to halfway full, to take a bath. Our showers sometimes drain a (40 gallon) hot water heater tank, plus the water to cool the hot water. www.greenlifestylechanges.com/take-5-minute-showers/ How long does it take to get clean in the shower? Is it 10 minutes? Did you know that a 10 minutes shower with a standard shower-head can use upwards of 80 gallons of water and generate up to 4 pounds of CO2 emissions? That is not including the energy used to heat the water unless of course, you have solar hot water.
I think the feeling you are looking for is, being let down. The canals are usually busy, and have people moving here and there. The ones up here are really quite and peaceful. Just a change of pace. I do so enjoy the videos though.
I must say Lorna, its not like Glasgow, it's full of English, I'm from Glasgow and moved to London as a Child and hope to move back one day, thanks for this vlog, I haven't seen Edinburgh for a long time.
Robert George I spoke to a few locals and they’re well liked, but there isn’t a boating culture there yet. Property is still fairly affordable, climate is different and in Scotland every boat needs a mooring so it doesn’t encourage full time cruising
