Scottish Canals give interest to its towpaths

SCOTTISH CANALS, that care for the waterways in Scotland, have really increased interest in walking and cycling its towpaths.

Launching Falkirk Five Loops last Friday as part of its its wellbeing opportunities along its canal network, Janet Friend reports.

Benches along the way

The Falkirk Five Loops is a 5K towpath trail from the Falkirk Wheel via the Union Canal, Lock 16 and the Forth & Clyde Canal, with benches erected along the way.

The benches are tiled that represent people's unique stories from the local area and their connection to the canal.

The tiles were made by Make it Glasgow, a community interest company that specialises in clay work and using art to build community and promote heritage of industrial ceramic production in Scotland.

After the various groups completed their designs, Make It Glasgow produced the tiles at their art bothy in Glasgow and transported them to Falkirk by boat via the Forth & Clyde Canal, reminiscent of how our predecessors used the canals for industrial transport many years ago, with John Paterson, Scottish Canals CEO explaining:

Connect communities

“It’s great to see that Scotland’s 141 miles of canals still connect communities today, as they did 200 years ago. The Falkirk Five route adds further community benefit as a local amenity to be enjoyed by all. I’d encourage the community to try it out and to consider making a run, stroll or cycle along the canal part of a healthy lifestyle which benefits physical and mental wellbeing.”

Artist Louise Nolan from Make it Glasgow added:

“We are delighted to be working in partnership with Falkirk Council, Scottish Canals and the local Camelon and Tamfourhill community to bring these creative seats to life. We hope these benches, made by many hands with an abundance of stories and memories, wildlife and rich history brings more people out to enjoy the canal network.”

The towpath, we are told, saw an excess of visitors over the weekend and so proved most popular.  It is the only towpath of its kind in the whole country.