Have you ever visited Scotland's canals? Don't forget to use code ruthaisling to get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan: incogni.com/ruthaisling
When I studied in Glasgow I decided one summer day to cycle along the canal all the way to the east. I discovered the Falkirk Wheel and the Kelpies by accident.
The Union Canal was not primarily used for passenger and agricultural transport. It was built to allow stone quarried in the Falkirk area to be moved to Edinburgh and used to build what they now call the Old Town, thus explaining why it stops in the middle of Edinburgh and doesn't go through to connect with the Forth. ( from Glasgow, you can use the Forth and Clyde to get to the river Carron, then down to the Forth, then down the Forth to the Water of Leith, so there was no need for another canal connection except to move thousands of tons of stone )
@@ruthaisling No problem, thank you. While I'm on, it was also used to move coal from the numerous small mines around Falkirk - presumably to Edinburgh too. The history of the small local railway lines round Falkirk is more complex but just as interesting. Try and find a village that doesn't have, or had, a Railway Hotel.
Opened in 1822, they were building the New Town then ;) The auld toon was already there ;) It brought coal into the city too. And took 'green' waste away from all the horses, to be spread on the farmers fields. Check out Robin Laing. A brilliant contour canal. ❤
@@grendel_nz Absolutely right, I should have remembered. They used the contour of the Antonine wall as a guide I expect. No-one has mentioned Burke & Hare worked on the Union Canal yet, and allegedly used the works to dispose of some of the evidence.
Hi Ruth: This video, as always has amazing content. The metal Horse sculptures are incredible. What a talent. Not only the design, but the construction as well and filmed beautifully. I am sure that you and the distillery are full of anticipation, for the first whiskey keg to be tapped. (No Peat?) Now, the boat lift. What a feat if engineering. Scotland has a deep history of building machines that do the impossible. The canal life does look attractive. I really enjoy watching your videos as you can most likely tell. Well done. Be safe..
Thank you for covering this part of Scotland. On our recent visit to Scotland our tour group visited the Kelpies and the Falkirk Wheel. Both were fascinating and we enjoyed seeing all the canal boats that are right there. You did a more extended visit here and it explained so much I missed. As an engineer the canals and wheel were extremely fascinating to me. You are right, the Kelpies were much bigger than I expected. Thank you for this visit and allowing me to revisit this part of Scotland.
Hi Ruth, I live in Clackmannanshire, the neighbouring county, just acroos the Forth, and I used to work at The Kelpies, as a guide. They are very special.I met Duke, the horse who was the model for the head down Kelpie. He visited a few times, as did Andy Scott - but Duke always got a lot more attention😂. Falkirk Wheel is amazing too.
The Falkirk Tunnel was built because the owner of Callender estate didn’t want the view from his home being ruined by the canal so the builders had to take the route underground.
That wheel was amazing! What an incredible piece of engineering, I've never seen anything like it! And those huge horse head sculptures were superb, they make the Angel of the North look poor in comparison. Thanks for the great video, as always.
Hi Ruth, i moved to Scotland 5 months ago, you popped up on my feed and now i always watch you. I am learning a lot about beautiful scotland. Thanks for your interesting, funny and educational videos ❤
Cheers from Canada Ruth.I was born in Falkirk then we emigrated to Canada.I came home last year and went to the Kelpies ,climbed those stairs up the Wallace Monument.Cmon back this summer ❤ Thanks again Ruth for another fab video.
WOW how interesting The Falkirk wheel is unbelievable as are the Kelpies they are huge fantastic artist who designed them this was yet another amazing tour there is so much to see and do over where you live . Thanks Ruth.
The Helix Park ( Kelpies ) also does overnight stays for campervans, and has toilets etc available. I was there in early 2014 when the Kelpies were complete but the Helix Park was not. Returned in 2024 and did the night time visit, with the light show etc. Fabulous 😊
Took an American colleague to the Wheel when it first opened, Amazing thing. Glasgow Airport in a rented car to a chemical plant over a bit east. We stopped in Sterling to buy a bottle of Whisky that came in a chest and included a scroll. Great trip.
I love the Kelpies and wheel. Whenever I go to Scotland, I start at the Kelpies and stay the night there; I think it is £10. I always walk to the Kelpies after dark : it is magical. I walked from the Kelpies to the Wheel one year along the canal but I don’t remember the tunnel!
The walk from the Kelpies to the Wheel runs along the Forth and Clyde canal, while the long scary tunnel is on the Union canal. That's why you don't remember it!
I'm addicted to your videos. My great- great grandparents hailed from Edinburgh and Isle of Mull. I've learned so much from you about Scotland and can't wait until I can visit it all in person someday.
Do these canals connect with the canal system in England? There are a bunch of narrowboat RUclipsrs in England that might make for interesting crossover videos; they could drive the boat to Scotland & you could show them around.
This channel is so great. A wonderful woman with the coolest possible accent and personality teaching us about history. I can't of think of anything better. Thank you, Ruth!
Every summer I pass through the kelpies gong from Grangemouth to the Falkirk wheel on my bike, the amount of nature in the canal is amazing, I also used to go to the kelpies for wildlife photography, I love that you started off this video at the kelpies
@ your welcome, if your ever back I recommend you check out the trinity church, it is where sir John de Grahame is buried, theirs the gravestone for sir John Stewart and a large cross for the 300 men that joined John Stewart and Wallace, theirs a monument to a man from the napoleonic war and a monument to the boar war near asda
Having been on the Falkirk Wheel I can't understand why more locks have not been replaced with a similar structure very quick and efficient. Great video thanks for sharing.
Excellent video Ruth! Had some great holidays with friends on a narrow boat. It's a much slower pace of life and one which can take you through some really interesting scenery. Navigating the tunnels is fun, especially the 2 way ones where there's only inches between passing boats. However, I found it, despite the fact "our" boat was a 70' beastie it's fairly claustrophobic. Certainly worthwhile getting on board one even for a short break.
Excellent video on Scottish canals! Similar to the Erie Canal. A historic canal in upstate New York, USA, that runs east-west between the Hudson River and Lake Erie. Completed in 1825, the canal was the first navigable waterway connecting the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes.
We have visited the Kelpies-they are absolutely fabulous, we went inside one, the construction is marvelous.Hopefully we will make a return visit this year.Would definitely recommend a visit.Enjoyed your latest vid.Take care.
Hi Ruth, my wife and I like to walk and cycle on the towpath , as you now know it can be a bit damp going through some of the tunnels. We usually walked out bikes through the tunnels as the path is a bit narrower. The wee cafe is nice there. I don't know if you saw them, but there are BlackBerry bushes beside the path, we used to see locals picking them.
Another delightful! I love the contrast between the long creepy tunnel and the amazing narrowboat lift. And beginning with the magnificent monument... sublime poetry. While I may be more familiar with England's canals this is a nice reminder that Scotland too has a canal culture
Lovely video! The wildlife along the Forth and Clyde canal truly is fantastic. On my walks I've seen: otters, deer, kingfishers, cormorants, a jay, buzzards, a peregrine falcon, kestrels, goldfinches, waxwings, bullfinches and more. And don't get me started on the fantastic range of butterflies, moths, beetles, dragonflies, damselflies, bumblebees, leafcutter bees, true bugs, spiders, etc etc.
Thank you for another great video, Ruth! The Kelpies look amazing, I would love to visit them. For now, I'll just spend time with my kelpie dog! Lots of love from Alberta, Canada ❤
Thank you for continuing to do these great videos for us Ruth. I'm sure do get busy with other things you are doing and life. We really appreciate you making the videos and sharing your travel experiences with us. God bless you 😸
Hi, So much of this should be taught in our schools. Our building & engineering history is fascinating. It's great that your topics & interests together with your beautiful voice are broadening and educating so many Ruth. All the best Jonny 😎☯️🌱
I went to Scotland I. 2017 I especially wanted to see the Falkirk kelpies & I wasn't disappointed. They are so impressive. When leaving there I travelled north & was thrilled to see more of Andy Scott sculptures by the highways. Love Scotland.
What a fantastic Video Ruth..the Tunnel reminded me where (Locally) I walked the Lapstone old railway tunnel about the same length.I knew nothing about these Scottish canals but know more now very inspirational many thanks 😅
Hi Ruth , my last , out of 5 visits to Scotland dates 2003. Lots have changed , I notice. These Kelpies look enormous and out of this world. I also discovered my loved whiskey Tamdhu, although not peated, which I also prefer. Keep on doing your thing as long as possible please.
There are some places you can search for an exchange, your van with someone else's narrowboat and try it out for a month or two before getting serious about it. I have done about 3 months total (4 different trips) on a narrowboat and it is so lovely. (including falkirk to edinburgh) but now we are into vans so we can go more places. But strangely, i think narrowboat is an experience everyone should have in their lifetime.
Thanks Ruth! A mnemonic that helps me differentiate stalactites vs stalagmites, is the upper formation must "hold on TIGHT", so stalactites are above, and stalagmites are below.
Happy Sunday Ruth ! It was so thrilling to see the Falkirk wheel in action. Thank you for another awesome video, the historical perspective that you provide gives is so educational and enjoyable. Thank you. Happy exploring.
I just came across Ruth's channel a few days ago and became an instant fan. I've been on a "Ruth-a-thon" ever since. She's so charming and down to earth. While almost always beng positive in her reviews of places/things, she isn't afraid to point out some "insufficiencies" when she comes across them. And I absolutely adore her Scottish accent (which isn't so strong as to be misunderstood). Ruth's channel is like a dram of high quality single-malt... It always goes down smoothly and makes one feel warm inside. 😇
Great video as always. Ive done the canal path to edinburgh several times from spears warf. Great intro for new members to our cycling group. Did it back once same day 123 miles never again, being flat means always pedalling, yes walk through that long tunnel.
Great vid Ruth, I used to live in Dunfermline before moving to Skye, drove by the Kelpies every day on my way to work, wish I’d visited the Kelpies now!
I became fascinated with the UK canal system thanks to another RUclipsrs series on them a year or two ago... I would love to soend a year expliring them on a canal boat. Thanks for the tour!
Fascinating video for a Sunday evening, Ruth. The canal boats reminded me of a kids programme i used to watch as a child named rosie and jim. I think i need to put Scotland on my holiday list. Not sure about the tunnel, though.
Also it was supposed to go through calendar estate but was rejected by the Forbes family. That’s why it goes at a sharp angle once you come out the tunnel
Ruth the Aberdeen to Inverness railway line was in part a canal but use to freeze in the winter and was not viable so it was brought by the railway company so they built on part of it on the canal alignment which meant the line was straight.
So funny as I was talking about the Kelpies yesterday! We haven’t been of to Falkirk wheel but would really like to one day. Loved the super fascinating about all the canals too. Thanks for another great video xxx
If you get the front seat on the boat the view is great on the way down because there is nothing in the way at the end the gondola. Cafe is pretty good too and they have a dog friendly area indoors.
The Falkirk Wheel looks so cool, they really designed it well. A boat ride looks like it would be so peaceful and restful to get away from the hustle of everyday life for awhile. Thank you for the video!
You can hire a canal boat? You don't say! Ruth has such a wonderfully naive curiosity at times, almost like she is a visitor from another world, seeing our own without the usual cynicism and world-weariness. The Kelpies and Falkirk wheel have been on my bucket list for a few years - so I'm embarrassed to say I've yet to visit. Further north I can recommend the Crinan and Caledonian canals, which give a fantastically serene contrast to the usual rushing torrents of water in the Highlands.
I used to take day-long walks along the canal with my corgi Taffy the Timid from Polmont to Linlithgow and back, or in the other direction towards Falkirk. This was in the 60's. There was such an abundance of wildlife and I hardly ever met anyone else. The canal was full of weed and rushes, impassable for anything but a canoe. The beauty was food for the soul. Thank you for showing me again, Ruth, after my 37 years living in Sweden.
Very cool horse statues. I think they are called "bäckahäst" in Sweden. A beautiful horse that enticed children to ride it and then it ran into the water and drowned them. I think I'll take a wee dram of another Scottish whiskey this fine cold evening. Cheers! 🥃
I admit to loving my Scottish heritage. My son and I enjoy having an occasional small tipple of a lowland whisky. The relations left Auchtermuchty in 1860... The tale of their journey to the opposite side of the world was an amazing read, such stoic people.
Once again you have showcased another fantastic part of Scotland. We were so fortunate to visit the Falkirk Wheel and the Kelpies in mid 2024. I had wanted to see the whee in action for years and my wife was keen to see the Kelpies. Scotland is a great country to visit and you are probably the best ambassador Scotland has now Ruth. We are so looking forward to another visit in the next couple of years.
Thank you for the authenticity of your videos. I'm a second-generation American, but my grandfather immigrated from Scotland, so I have a soft spot for your accent due to my Scottish heritage. I even have a kilt that's been handed down through my family. I've just subscribed and am looking forward to watching more of your videos and learning more about the country of my heritage!
Thank you so much for subscribing, welcome to the channel! What a fascinating connection you have, and how nice that you have that valuable hand-me-down.
The Kelpies and the Falkirk wheel are amazing examples of engineering exhibitionism and should be treasured as such. The Wheel for how clever the idea is, and the Kelpies for how beautiful they are.
Before it was lit the tunnel was named locally as " The Darkie" as it was so dark . Not meant as an insult. I cycle the canal network all the time around Falkirk it's brilliant
@@ruthaisling haha, sorry for mentioning it, well at least it worked out well in the end. you go to lots of places that I am close by to so always thinking should I visit this place or that place that you go to and check them out myself 😂
Ruth I have lived in Vancouver Canada since the mid-seventies, however, I was born in Falkirk and grew up in the housing development on the other side of the canal directly across from the Falkirk Wheel. There was a glimpse of the houses when you were looking at the rental boats. In your video, I immediately recognized the west entrance to the tunnel on the Union Canal since I went through that tunnel on many occasions. Originally, on the site of the Falkirk Wheel was a large tar works, and next door to it was a fish works that processed fish into garden fertilizer, as you can well imagine, when the wind was blowing from the south the smell from the mound of rotten fish was awful. When the fishing boat fleets were transiting the Forth & Clyde Canal I used to let the fisherman who operated the locks use my bike and in return, I got to ride on the boats. You may well be aware of this, but just in case, the Roman Antonine Wall (AD 142) runs through the property where the Wheel is located, and assuming you traveled along Lime Road on your way to the Wheel the wall runs parallel to the road. The Antoinine Wall was the most northerly point in the entire Roman Empire. A ten-minute walk west of the Falkirk Wheel there is either a Roman Villa or a Fort and every Summer I would visit the site to watch the archeologists working on the site, mostly on the floor area. I am a subscriber to your channel and wish you all the best in your endeavors. John
Beautifully presented and captured once again Ruth. So refreshing to see the variety and content of all your vlogs. The History you always give accompanying your subject always enhance the experience you are showcasing. Well Done Ruth and thank you for sharing
Whow Ruth, that brings back memories. As a small boy my parents, 4 sisters and I went on holiday with a canalboat in the UK. I must have been about 8 years of age. And it is one of my favorite childhood memories. I love the Kelpies by the way. Thank you again for a lovely video which I now continu to watch. But not before I treat you on a nice glass of whiskey.
Hello Ruth, my wife and I love watching your channel your independence is inspiring. We, well myself, love watching folks remodel the older canal boats then use them as a residence. My dad liked single malts and so do I. Stay safe, have fun!
Hi Ruth, i appreciate your cheerfulness and the information you share about Scotland - your channel is a favorite of mine. I found this video to be one of your most interesting!
Another fantastic vlog Ruth! I visited the Falkirk wheel on my last trip to the UK in 2019. Very interesting place to visit & to watch the wheel in motion. Happy New Year 🎉 to you also & I hope 2025 is a good one. Will look forward to your next upload. 😊
@@ruthaisling Thank you Ruth. Most of my time in Scotland was in Edinburgh, but I did have a couple of days venturing further afield. I remember visiting Stirling Castle at about the same time. Absolutely brilliant.
![Felix "Unfair" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Oswujxm2Ag0/mqdefault.jpg)
Have you ever visited Scotland's canals?
Don't forget to use code ruthaisling to get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan: incogni.com/ruthaisling
That spooky tunnel could have had bats. 🦇
@@duncankilburn7612it probably did!
Sent you 2 videos on Instagram 😂😂😂😂
Hey Ruth, do you know what the hull of a canal boat is used for? It's where you throw all the money for the unexpected costs and repairs 😄😄😄
My great gandmother was scottish, so I have been there some times.
Nice to chill out on Sunday afternoon with Ruth.
Hope you enjoy this one!
It's Monday here in weird Australia
When I studied in Glasgow I decided one summer day to cycle along the canal all the way to the east. I discovered the Falkirk Wheel and the Kelpies by accident.
What a lovely day out!
With every video we learn about the history of Schotland,it's great to see !
Glad you enjoyed it!
Your speech is so clear and precise, my hearing is not so good but I have no problems hearing you 👍
Definitely. Some of the British accents sound like enhanced mumbling. This one is clear as a bell
Good to know!
The Union Canal was not primarily used for passenger and agricultural transport. It was built to allow stone quarried in the Falkirk area to be moved to Edinburgh and used to build what they now call the Old Town, thus explaining why it stops in the middle of Edinburgh and doesn't go through to connect with the Forth. ( from Glasgow, you can use the Forth and Clyde to get to the river Carron, then down to the Forth, then down the Forth to the Water of Leith, so there was no need for another canal connection except to move thousands of tons of stone )
Thanks for sharing!
@@ruthaisling No problem, thank you. While I'm on, it was also used to move coal from the numerous small mines around Falkirk - presumably to Edinburgh too. The history of the small local railway lines round Falkirk is more complex but just as interesting. Try and find a village that doesn't have, or had, a Railway Hotel.
Opened in 1822, they were building the New Town then ;) The auld toon was already there ;)
It brought coal into the city too. And took 'green' waste away from all the horses, to be spread on the farmers fields. Check out Robin Laing. A brilliant contour canal. ❤
@@grendel_nz Absolutely right, I should have remembered. They used the contour of the Antonine wall as a guide I expect. No-one has mentioned Burke & Hare worked on the Union Canal yet, and allegedly used the works to dispose of some of the evidence.
Another rich content, well produced video. So glad to see the canals becoming wildlife corridors. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you! It was lovely to see all the wildlife!
Ruth you never fail to deliver a first class video. Good job young lady. Outstanding content.
Wow, thank you Edward!
@ruthaisling you are quite welcome.
Hi Ruth: This video, as always has amazing content. The metal Horse sculptures are incredible. What a talent. Not only the design, but the construction as well and filmed beautifully. I am sure that you and the distillery are full of anticipation, for the first whiskey keg to be tapped. (No Peat?) Now, the boat lift. What a feat if engineering. Scotland has a deep history of building machines that do the impossible. The canal life does look attractive. I really enjoy watching your videos as you can most likely tell. Well done. Be safe..
Thank you so much!
Definitely looking forward to a visit to the Kelpies! Glad to know they impress in person!
Yeah much bigger than they appear in the photos!
Thank you for covering this part of Scotland. On our recent visit to Scotland our tour group visited the Kelpies and the Falkirk Wheel. Both were fascinating and we enjoyed seeing all the canal boats that are right there. You did a more extended visit here and it explained so much I missed. As an engineer the canals and wheel were extremely fascinating to me. You are right, the Kelpies were much bigger than I expected. Thank you for this visit and allowing me to revisit this part of Scotland.
That’s nice you managed to visit! Where else is you go in Scotland on your trip? The Kelpies are seriously huge!
Hi Ruth, I live in Clackmannanshire, the neighbouring county, just acroos the Forth, and I used to work at The Kelpies, as a guide. They are very special.I met Duke, the horse who was the model for the head down Kelpie. He visited a few times, as did Andy Scott - but Duke always got a lot more attention😂. Falkirk Wheel is amazing too.
Oh that’s interesting it was designed based on a real horse, thanks for sharing!
The Falkirk Tunnel was built because the owner of Callender estate didn’t want the view from his home being ruined by the canal so the builders had to take the route underground.
That wheel was amazing! What an incredible piece of engineering, I've never seen anything like it! And those huge horse head sculptures were superb, they make the Angel of the North look poor in comparison. Thanks for the great video, as always.
Hi Ruth, i moved to Scotland 5 months ago, you popped up on my feed and now i always watch you. I am learning a lot about beautiful scotland. Thanks for your interesting, funny and educational videos ❤
We moved 3 years ago and love it here! Scotland is so special x
It is, I love it and feel so grateful and blessed, i will check out your channel 👍
Cheers from Canada Ruth.I was born in Falkirk then we emigrated to Canada.I came home last year and went to the Kelpies ,climbed those stairs up the Wallace Monument.Cmon back this summer ❤ Thanks again Ruth for another fab video.
WOW how interesting The Falkirk wheel is unbelievable as are the Kelpies they are huge fantastic artist who designed them this was yet another amazing tour there is so much to see and do over where you live . Thanks Ruth.
Thanks so much for watching.
The Helix Park ( Kelpies ) also does overnight stays for campervans, and has toilets etc available. I was there in early 2014 when the Kelpies were complete but the Helix Park was not. Returned in 2024 and did the night time visit, with the light show etc. Fabulous 😊
Your videos are amazing, love from India❤
Took an American colleague to the Wheel when it first opened, Amazing thing.
Glasgow Airport in a rented car to a chemical plant over a bit east.
We stopped in Sterling to buy a bottle of Whisky that came in a chest and included a scroll.
Great trip.
Sounds like a brilliant trip!
I love the Kelpies and wheel. Whenever I go to Scotland, I start at the Kelpies and stay the night there; I think it is £10. I always walk to the Kelpies after dark : it is magical. I walked from the Kelpies to the Wheel one year along the canal but I don’t remember the tunnel!
The walk from the Kelpies to the Wheel runs along the Forth and Clyde canal, while the long scary tunnel is on the Union canal. That's why you don't remember it!
I'm addicted to your videos. My great- great grandparents hailed from Edinburgh and Isle of Mull. I've learned so much from you about Scotland and can't wait until I can visit it all in person someday.
Do these canals connect with the canal system in England? There are a bunch of narrowboat RUclipsrs in England that might make for interesting crossover videos; they could drive the boat to Scotland & you could show them around.
No they don’t think they do. When I rented the canal boat in 2023 it came from Liverpool and had to travel via the sea to get to Scotland
This channel is so great. A wonderful woman with the coolest possible accent and personality teaching us about history. I can't of think of anything better. Thank you, Ruth!
Every summer I pass through the kelpies gong from Grangemouth to the Falkirk wheel on my bike, the amount of nature in the canal is amazing, I also used to go to the kelpies for wildlife photography, I love that you started off this video at the kelpies
That's a nice memory, it is a wonderful area for seeing the wildlife! Thank you for watching.
@ your welcome, if your ever back I recommend you check out the trinity church, it is where sir John de Grahame is buried, theirs the gravestone for sir John Stewart and a large cross for the 300 men that joined John Stewart and Wallace, theirs a monument to a man from the napoleonic war and a monument to the boar war near asda
Having been on the Falkirk Wheel I can't understand why more locks have not been replaced with a similar structure very quick and efficient. Great video thanks for sharing.
A delightful video Ruth. Keep up the good work.
Thanks for showing the Kelpies and the Falkirk Wheel. The next time I visit Scotland I will make sure I see them in person.
The Falkirk Wheel and the horses heads are absolutely amazing!!! Only the Scots would engineer theses. Speechless.
Excellent video Ruth!
Had some great holidays with friends on a narrow boat. It's a much slower pace of life and one which can take you through some really interesting scenery. Navigating the tunnels is fun, especially the 2 way ones where there's only inches between passing boats. However, I found it, despite the fact "our" boat was a 70' beastie it's fairly claustrophobic. Certainly worthwhile getting on board one even for a short break.
That sounds fun but the narrowboats do look quite narrow!!
Excellent video on Scottish canals! Similar to the Erie Canal. A historic canal in upstate New York, USA, that runs east-west between the Hudson River and Lake Erie. Completed in 1825, the canal was the first navigable waterway connecting the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes.
Thanks for sharing about it, I’ll look it up!
A truly enjoyable video covering some of the highlights of Scottish engineering and history. Well worth a taking a cuppa and watching
I remember the Falkirk Wheel opening, and thinking how ingenious the design was. Great video, Ruth.
We have visited the Kelpies-they are absolutely fabulous, we went inside one, the construction is marvelous.Hopefully we will make a return visit this year.Would definitely recommend a visit.Enjoyed your latest vid.Take care.
Did not expect to see my hometown of Falkirk on here tonight, i live a 10 minute walk from the Kelpies.
Hi Ruth, my wife and I like to walk and cycle on the towpath , as you now know it can be a bit damp going through some of the tunnels. We usually walked out bikes through the tunnels as the path is a bit narrower. The wee cafe is nice there. I don't know if you saw them, but there are BlackBerry bushes beside the path, we used to see locals picking them.
Mind blowing to think that tunnel as well as others were all created by hand!
Another delightful! I love the contrast between the long creepy tunnel and the amazing narrowboat lift. And beginning with the magnificent monument... sublime poetry. While I may be more familiar with England's canals this is a nice reminder that Scotland too has a canal culture
Well done young lady! Thanks for the tour!
The Falkirk wheel is a fascinating yet simplistic piece of engineering. Nothing like it anywhere.
Lovely video! The wildlife along the Forth and Clyde canal truly is fantastic. On my walks I've seen: otters, deer, kingfishers, cormorants, a jay, buzzards, a peregrine falcon, kestrels, goldfinches, waxwings, bullfinches and more. And don't get me started on the fantastic range of butterflies, moths, beetles, dragonflies, damselflies, bumblebees, leafcutter bees, true bugs, spiders, etc etc.
Thank you for another great video, Ruth! The Kelpies look amazing, I would love to visit them. For now, I'll just spend time with my kelpie dog! Lots of love from Alberta, Canada ❤
That was really fascinating Ruth. I’d never heard of the Falkirk Wheel before! So I’ve learned something new! Thank you! ❤
Thank you for continuing to do these great videos for us Ruth. I'm sure do get busy with other things you are doing and life. We really appreciate you making the videos and sharing your travel experiences with us. God bless you 😸
Hi, So much of this should be taught in our schools.
Our building & engineering history is fascinating. It's great that your topics & interests together with your beautiful voice are broadening and educating so many Ruth.
All the best Jonny
😎☯️🌱
I went to Scotland I. 2017 I especially wanted to see the Falkirk kelpies & I wasn't disappointed.
They are so impressive. When leaving there I travelled north & was thrilled to see more of Andy Scott sculptures by the highways.
Love Scotland.
Oh brilliant!
What a fantastic Video Ruth..the Tunnel reminded me where (Locally) I walked the Lapstone old railway tunnel about the same length.I knew nothing about these Scottish canals but know more now very inspirational many thanks 😅
Hi Ruth , my last , out of 5 visits to Scotland dates 2003. Lots have changed , I notice. These Kelpies look enormous and out of this world. I also discovered my loved whiskey Tamdhu, although not peated, which I also prefer. Keep on doing your thing as long as possible please.
That Falkirk wheel is awesome! Thanks for showing!
Ruth- i love your videos and information. Thank you for being you
There are some places you can search for an exchange, your van with someone else's narrowboat and try it out for a month or two before getting serious about it. I have done about 3 months total (4 different trips) on a narrowboat and it is so lovely. (including falkirk to edinburgh) but now we are into vans so we can go more places. But strangely, i think narrowboat is an experience everyone should have in their lifetime.
Thanks Ruth! A mnemonic that helps me differentiate stalactites vs stalagmites, is the upper formation must "hold on TIGHT", so stalactites are above, and stalagmites are below.
And stalagmites need all their might to grow to the roof, I read that somewhere, but MITE have just made it up😀
Or an even more basic one 'mites go up, tights come down'.
Thank you for the information. I am very interested in Scotland. From Japan.
Thanks for watching from Japan! ❤️
Happy Sunday Ruth ! It was so thrilling to see the Falkirk wheel in action. Thank you for another awesome video, the historical perspective that you provide gives is so educational and enjoyable. Thank you. Happy exploring.
I just came across Ruth's channel a few days ago and became an instant fan. I've been on a "Ruth-a-thon" ever since. She's so charming and down to earth. While almost always beng positive in her reviews of places/things, she isn't afraid to point out some "insufficiencies" when she comes across them. And I absolutely adore her Scottish accent (which isn't so strong as to be misunderstood). Ruth's channel is like a dram of high quality single-malt... It always goes down smoothly and makes one feel warm inside. 😇
Thank you so much for your kind comments, I'm glad you're enjoying the channel so far!
Great video as always. Ive done the canal path to edinburgh several times from spears warf. Great intro for new members to our cycling group. Did it back once same day 123 miles never again, being flat means always pedalling, yes walk through that long tunnel.
Great vid Ruth, I used to live in Dunfermline before moving to Skye, drove by the Kelpies every day on my way to work, wish I’d visited the Kelpies now!
Great video as normal Ruth, I have visited the Kelpies and the Falkirk Wheel a couple of times, and it does make for a very good day out.🏴
Thank you so much! It’s wonderful to hear that you enjoyed your experience!
Always look forward to your next video. loved your last one. keep up your awesome work.
I became fascinated with the UK canal system thanks to another RUclipsrs series on them a year or two ago... I would love to soend a year expliring them on a canal boat. Thanks for the tour!
Sounds like a dream! I'm glad you enjoyed the video!
Fascinating video for a Sunday evening, Ruth. The canal boats reminded me of a kids programme i used to watch as a child named rosie and jim. I think i need to put Scotland on my holiday list. Not sure about the tunnel, though.
We used to walk through it when we were kids. It had no lights and some of the handrail was missing. You just had to stick to the wall like glue
Also it was supposed to go through calendar estate but was rejected by the Forbes family. That’s why it goes at a sharp angle once you come out the tunnel
That sounds very tricky. Luckily now its a little safer! Thank you for watching.
Excellent video as always, fascinating place - I loved the horse sculptures and the Falkirk wheel - incredible!! Cheers from Massachusetts!
Another lovely video, Ruth...the Kelpies looked fabulous...thank you...i love you...
Ruth the Aberdeen to Inverness railway line was in part a canal but use to freeze in the winter and was not viable so it was brought by the railway company so they built on part of it on the canal alignment which meant the line was straight.
Really enjoyed this one Ruth. I'm definitely going to go and experience the Falkirk wheel.
I'm glad you felt inspired by the video!
So funny as I was talking about the Kelpies yesterday! We haven’t been of to Falkirk wheel but would really like to one day. Loved the super fascinating about all the canals too. Thanks for another great video xxx
If you get the front seat on the boat the view is great on the way down because there is nothing in the way at the end the gondola.
Cafe is pretty good too and they have a dog friendly area indoors.
Ruth calling narrowboats the thin ones just love it.😂 Another enjoyable and informative video.
In the moment I always forget the name of things, oops 😂
@ruthaisling I have those moments too. I blame my age or the whisky.
The Falkirk Wheel looks so cool, they really designed it well. A boat ride looks like it would be so peaceful and restful to get away from the hustle of everyday life for awhile. Thank you for the video!
You can hire a canal boat? You don't say! Ruth has such a wonderfully naive curiosity at times, almost like she is a visitor from another world, seeing our own without the usual cynicism and world-weariness.
The Kelpies and Falkirk wheel have been on my bucket list for a few years - so I'm embarrassed to say I've yet to visit. Further north I can recommend the Crinan and Caledonian canals, which give a fantastically serene contrast to the usual rushing torrents of water in the Highlands.
I used to take day-long walks along the canal with my corgi Taffy the Timid from Polmont to Linlithgow and back, or in the other direction towards Falkirk. This was in the 60's. There was such an abundance of wildlife and I hardly ever met anyone else. The canal was full of weed and rushes, impassable for anything but a canoe.
The beauty was food for the soul.
Thank you for showing me again, Ruth, after my 37 years living in Sweden.
What a beautiful memory! The canals truly are food for the soul. I'm glad you enjoyed the video.
Proof that a Parallel Universe actually exists! Simply amazing!
Very cool horse statues. I think they are called "bäckahäst" in Sweden. A beautiful horse that enticed children to ride it and then it ran into the water and drowned them.
I think I'll take a wee dram of another Scottish whiskey this fine cold evening. Cheers! 🥃
Enjoy your whisky!
I admit to loving my Scottish heritage. My son and I enjoy having an occasional small tipple of a lowland whisky. The relations left Auchtermuchty in 1860... The tale of their journey to the opposite side of the world was an amazing read, such stoic people.
What a wonderful heritage to cherish! Thank you for sharing your story.
Once again you have showcased another fantastic part of Scotland. We were so fortunate to visit the Falkirk Wheel and the Kelpies in mid 2024. I had wanted to see the whee in action for years and my wife was keen to see the Kelpies. Scotland is a great country to visit and you are probably the best ambassador Scotland has now Ruth. We are so looking forward to another visit in the next couple of years.
Thank you for the authenticity of your videos. I'm a second-generation American, but my grandfather immigrated from Scotland, so I have a soft spot for your accent due to my Scottish heritage. I even have a kilt that's been handed down through my family. I've just subscribed and am looking forward to watching more of your videos and learning more about the country of my heritage!
Thank you so much for subscribing, welcome to the channel! What a fascinating connection you have, and how nice that you have that valuable hand-me-down.
I'm in Falkirk (a bairn as they say) and live near the Union canal so absolutely loved this! Thanks Ruth!
This is my home town and I love it to bits!
Oh really? It is a lovely place.
Yes, been waiting for Ruth video!😊
Hope you enjoyed it!
The Kelpies and the Falkirk wheel are amazing examples of engineering exhibitionism and should be treasured as such. The Wheel for how clever the idea is, and the Kelpies for how beautiful they are.
Any gal that goes into a distillery with that much knowledge, earns my appreciation
Before it was lit the tunnel was named locally as " The Darkie" as it was so dark . Not meant as an insult. I cycle the canal network all the time around Falkirk it's brilliant
Thanks for all the information .Been to the Falkirk wheel .Its a great piece of engineering. ❤❤❤❤
I remember watching the video where you got trapped on the island with the tent.
Haha bad memories 😂
@@ruthaisling haha, sorry for mentioning it, well at least it worked out well in the end. you go to lots of places that I am close by to so always thinking should I visit this place or that place that you go to and check them out myself 😂
So interesting, and that Falkirk Wheel is such a clever engineering design! Thanks for showing us canal life in Scotland 🎡
Great fun times exploring, very much enjoyed, all the very best wishes health and happiness.
Ruth
I have lived in Vancouver Canada since the mid-seventies, however, I was born in Falkirk and grew up in the housing development on the other side of the canal directly across from the Falkirk Wheel. There was a glimpse of the houses when you were looking at the rental boats. In your video, I immediately recognized the west entrance to the tunnel on the Union Canal since I went through that tunnel on many occasions. Originally, on the site of the Falkirk Wheel was a large tar works, and next door to it was a fish works that processed fish into garden fertilizer, as you can well imagine, when the wind was blowing from the south the smell from the mound of rotten fish was awful. When the fishing boat fleets were transiting the Forth & Clyde Canal I used to let the fisherman who operated the locks use my bike and in return, I got to ride on the boats.
You may well be aware of this, but just in case, the Roman Antonine Wall (AD 142) runs through the property where the Wheel is located, and assuming you traveled along Lime Road on your way to the Wheel the wall runs parallel to the road. The Antoinine Wall was the most northerly point in the entire Roman Empire.
A ten-minute walk west of the Falkirk Wheel there is either a Roman Villa or a Fort and every Summer I would visit the site to watch the archeologists working on the site, mostly on the floor area.
I am a subscriber to your channel and wish you all the best in your endeavors.
John
Seeing the Kelpies from the M9 in the fog is pretty cool. They should be lit by blue light from the inside at night.
Beautifully presented and captured once again Ruth. So refreshing to see the variety and content of all your vlogs. The History you always give accompanying your subject always enhance the experience you are showcasing. Well Done Ruth and thank you for sharing
Thank you so much for your kind comments and for watching, Clive!
Whow Ruth, that brings back memories. As a small boy my parents, 4 sisters and I went on holiday with a canalboat in the UK. I must have been about 8 years of age. And it is one of my favorite childhood memories. I love the Kelpies by the way. Thank you again for a lovely video which I now continu to watch. But not before I treat you on a nice glass of whiskey.
What a lovely holiday to have with your family, that’s a very nice memory! Ok I’ll buy a glass of whisky. Thank you very much! ❤️
Hello Ruth, my wife and I love watching your channel your independence is inspiring.
We, well myself, love watching folks remodel the older canal boats then use them as a residence.
My dad liked single malts and so do I. Stay safe, have fun!
Thank you both! I'm glad you’re enjoying the videos.
Hi Ruth, i appreciate your cheerfulness and the information you share about Scotland - your channel is a favorite of mine. I found this video to be one of your most interesting!
Oh thank you!
Very cool. Have wanted to go for some time now. Thanks for showing!
Another fantastic vlog Ruth! I visited the Falkirk wheel on my last trip to the UK in 2019. Very interesting place to visit & to watch the wheel in motion.
Happy New Year 🎉 to you also & I hope 2025 is a good one. Will look forward to your next upload. 😊
Thanks Erin! Nice to hear that you have visited too!
@@ruthaisling Thank you Ruth. Most of my time in Scotland was in Edinburgh, but I did have a couple of days venturing further afield. I remember visiting Stirling Castle at about the same time. Absolutely brilliant.
Always interesting, Ruth! You do just the right amount of research to inform. Thanks as always!
Thanks Stewart!
Beautifully filmed Ruth & drone footage was amazing. You are such an inspirational guide & channel creator👌🙌❤️
Thanks so much for watching, Kim!
I so enjoy your videos Ruth, they are a breath of fresh air and a lovely escape with a cup of tea! Have you travelled much in Ireland?
Thank you for watching, I'm glad you're enjoying the videos! I have done some travelling in Ireland but I plan to do more! Have you?
Having been there i concur on visiting ,both places.
That was so cool Ruth!! wow!