Friday August 2

What a difference 24 hours can make! The weather dawned cloudy but by mid morning it was breaking up and the sun was starting to appear. So we set off to visit the Falkirk Wheel. This is the world's only rotating boat lift and was built to join the Forth and Clyde Canal with the Union Canal. It was part of a very ambitious Millennium project and was completed in 2002. It was named after a nearby town in central Scotland.  Here isa link for more information (Falkirk Wheel info).


It was a bonus when I spied four birds of prey and for a small donation for their upkeep I could have photos taken of myself with any of them. I chose the Russian Steppe Eagle although I was also taken with the very pretty American Kestrel.

The wheel is used by boats to sail from Edinburgh to Glasgow in particular but there is also the opportunity for visitors to experience it for themselves. So we booked our tickets and waited outside in the, by now, bright sunshine!


Suddenly we saw the wheel begin to rotate to bring a boat down and take another boat up. Two boats were let out at the bottom,one of them a visitor boat. We then boarded and went up on our own. It was a very smooth feeling and took about 15 minutes.

On the way up, and down,we had some fabulous views over a vast area!! 

At the top we moved out of the "Gondola" and onto the canal were we saw a boat waiting to go down.There were many people about at the top as there is also a ath to walk along to the top.

When both boats were in the "Gondola" there was only ten inches to spare between them! The weights in the two "Gondolas"must be the same in order to keep the wheel in balance and this s done using the principle of Archimedes.

We then returned to the lower level.again it was a smooth journey. There was time for one more photo and marvel at this ingenious construction. Then it was time for one last photo before returning to Menstrie.  

On our way we stopped for a very late lunch or a very early dinner whichever way you look at it!! 

As we neared Menstrie we could see both Stirling Castle and the William Wallace Monument.
 
So ended a great day out! Tomorrow I farewell my hosts and move to Dumbarton for my last three nights in Scotland. I will spend some time visiting the area around Loch Lomond while I am there.