For the first time in many years, visitors can step inside the heart of the world’s only rotating boat lift.

The Falkirk Wheel

Scottish Canals, who own and maintain The Falkirk Wheel, have added regular Behind the Wheel tours to their visitor experience.

Those planning a trip to the top tourist attraction can now look forward to stepping inside the iconic structure to see its internal workings and to being taken on a behind-the-scenes journey to explore its history. 

A boat approaching The Falkirk Wheel

The Falkirk Wheel, which is located just outside of the town of Falkirk, between Edinburgh and Glasgow, celebrated its 22nd birthday in 2024 and has recently undergone a major £2.7 million upgrade. Tour guides will be on hand to explain the benefits the works have brought to one of Scotland’s most popular tourist attractions.

Ross McMillan, Scottish Canals’ Head of Destinations, said: “We’re excited to be offering these incredible tours on a regular basis. It was fitting that, after the huge refurb, we were able to mark this by launching the Behind the Wheel tours. 

“Hundreds of thousands of people have experienced our boat trips but only a handful have ever stepped inside the heart of the wheel and we can’t wait to share this magical experience with everyone.” 

An aerial view of The Falkirk Wheel

The Falkirk Wheel opened as part of The Millennium Link, a £83.4m project that restored Scotland’s inland waterways to a navigable state for the first time since the 1960s. The wheel replaced a flight of 11 locks that once stepped the Union Canal down to the level of the Forth and Clyde Canal over a distance of 1.5km that took more than half a day to traverse. Now, The Falkirk Wheel allows vessels to transit between the two canals in just seven minutes. Operating extremely efficiently, the wheel wastes no water and uses hardly any electricity.

Tours will take place monthly and will include a short presentation inside The Falkirk Wheel’s Wheel Room. A tour guide will then lead visitors around the site, offering a fascinating insight into the important impact the wheel structure has made to those using Scotland’s canals. 

The Falkirk Wheel at night

Janet Redler, Managing Director of Janet Redler Travel, said: “ The Falkirk Wheel is one of the most recognisable structures on the UK canal network and a boat trip on it is an experience like no other. The new Behind the Wheel tours will give all those interested in Britain’s waterways and Scotland’s industrial heritage the chance to find out more about this incredible feat of engineering.”

If you or your group would like to enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour of The Falkirk Wheel on a tailor-made tour of Scotland, perhaps as part of one of or dedicated Industrial Heritage Tours, please do contact our friendly team today.

All photos courtesy of Scottish Canals © Peter Sandground.