Edinburgh Canal Society facts for kids
The Edinburgh Canal Society is a special group that helps look after the Union Canal in Edinburgh, Scotland. They are a charity, which means they work to help the community. Their main home is the Ashley Terrace Boathouse, located near Harrison Park in the Polwarth area of Edinburgh.
The society started in 1985. They were one of the first groups to join the Scottish Inland Waterways Association. For many years, the Edinburgh Canal Society worked with other groups like the Forth Canoe Club and the Linlithgow Union Canal Society. They all wanted to see the Union Canal fixed up and opened again. Their hard work paid off when the Union Canal was connected to the Forth and Clyde Canal using the amazing Falkirk Wheel. The Edinburgh Canal Society was an official partner in this big project, called the Millennium Link.
The Society's Boats and Boathouse
The society owns a historic wooden boat with special Kelvin engines. This boat had a dramatic rescue! In the early 1990s, it sank in Fisherrow harbour after a big storm. Luckily, a society member saw it just as it was about to be taken away. They saved the boat! In 1999, it was moved to a boatyard in Arbroath for repairs, with help from the Heritage Lottery Fund. This same boatyard had also fixed up Robert Scott's famous ship, the RRS Discovery. Finding the right Kelvin engine seemed impossible, but by chance, they found one in a warehouse all the way in Kuwait!
The society also has a fleet of wooden rowing boats that people can rent. These are great for exploring the canal!
The society's boathouse is a well-known building on the Scottish Lowland Canals. It was first located somewhere else, but in 1987, it was taken apart and rebuilt in its current spot. It's always being improved and is a favourite spot for photographers.
In 2008, the Boathouse and one of the rowing boats were used for filming a documentary. It was about the life of Patrick MacGill, an Irish journalist, author, and poet. He was known as "The Navvy Poet" because he used to work on canals.
In 2009, members of the society helped start the first Edinburgh Canal Festival. This fun event took place between Edinburgh Quay and the society's boathouse. It's now an annual event that many people enjoy. In July 2015, the boathouse needed big repairs, so the society had to stop renting out rowing boats for a while.
Exciting Canal Journeys
The Edinburgh Canal Society and its boats have been on many exciting journeys and taken part in special events. These trips often celebrate the canals and show how important they are.
Some notable journeys and events include:
- May 2001: The society's boat, Kelvin, made its first trip under the famous Forth Bridge. It also travelled to the Carron Sea Lock for the official opening of the Forth and Clyde Canal.
- May 2002: The Kelvin travelled from Harrison Park to the Falkirk Wheel for its official opening by HM The Queen!
- August 2001: There was a formal opening of the Wester Hailes section of the Union Canal.
- April 2003: The society took part in a long journey from Leamington Bridge through the Falkirk Wheel, visiting Glasgow, Bowling Basin, and even the River Clyde.
- March 2005: The official opening of Edinburgh Quay was a big day for the canal.
- May 2006: Regular Sunday boat trips started from the society's boathouse to Edinburgh Quay and back. These trips are a great way for people to experience the canal.
Images for kids
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A Kelvin Diesel engine, like the one in the society's historic boat.
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A dredger boat passing the boathouse, helping to keep the canal clear.
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Language students enjoying a trip on the rowing boats.
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The Edinburgh Canal Society boathouse with some of its rowing boats.
