Forth and Clyde Canal Exploring Edinburgh - Glasgow Canals

 Union Canal

Ratho
Glasgow - A Portrait Forth & Clyde Canal

Photographs of the Union Canal

 and surroundings at Ratho

 near Edinburgh


Bridge Inn on Union Canal at Ratho

Bridge Inn on Union Canal

at Ratho


Boats on Union Canal at Ratho

Boats on Union Canal

at Ratho 



Union Canal at Ratho

Union Canal

at Ratho




Union Canal at Ratho

Cruise boats on Union Canal

at Ratho

The Mackay Seagull was built by the apprentices
 of Cammell Laird in Liverpool

 and named after the Seagull Trust founder
 Rev Hugh Mackay





Boats on the Union Canal at Linlithgow

Edinburgh International Climbing Arena

adjacent to the Union Canal at Ratho





Aqueduct on the Union Canal over the B7030

Aqueduct on the Union Canal

over the B7030



Clifton Hall

Clifton Hall School

 
a category A-listed building

 
constructed in 1850



Narrowboat on the Union Canal

Narrowboat

 on the Union Canal




Lin's Mill Aqueduct on Union Canal over the Almond River

Lin's Mill Aqueduct on Union Canal

 over the Almond River

A scheduled monument.



Almond River from aqueduct on Union Canal

Almond River

from aqueduct on Union Canal



Countryside at Clifton

Countryside at Clifton



Victoria Cottage at Clifton Mains

Victoria Cottage

 at Clifton Mains



Avon Aqueduct for Union Canal from Heritage Trail in Muiravonside Country Park

Aqueduct on the Union Canal

 over the B7030



Trail over Platt Hill above Ratho

Trail over Platt Hill

above Ratho



M8 from Platt Hill above Ratho

M8 from Platt Hill

 above Ratho



Parish Church at Ratho

Parish Church at Ratho



War Memorial at Ratho

War Memorial

at Ratho




Boats in Ratho Marina

Boats in Ratho Marina






Map of Union Canal at Ratho

Map of Union Canal at Ratho




Route Map of Union Canal at Ratho

Route Map of Union Canal at Ratho




UNION CANAL AT RATHO - ROUTE DESCRIPTION:


Location: Midlothian
Map: OS Landranger 65 or Explorer 350
Distance: 5.5 miles (9km)
Time: 2-3 hours
Grade: Easy low-level walk

This walk provides the most extreme of contrasts between lines of communication old and new.
You start along the Union Canal, which provides easy walking in a surprisingly rural and peaceful atmosphere. Later on you walk beside the roaring maelstrom of the M8. It is worth noting as you set off that the towpath is well used by cyclists.
After about 400m the canal enters a wooded section. Steep steps on the right give access to the Edinburgh International Climbing Arena.
As the woods end, things start to change dramatically. First there is a steady rumbling which soon becomes a roar as the M8 appears alongside.
Before long, the canal swings left. As it does so, the motorway recedes. The canal passes a small island which holds a mock “castle”, often advertising boat cruises. You walk under three original canal bridges, their capstones numbered 16 to 18, then find yourself high up as the canal swings right to cross the River Almond by a magnificent aqueduct. Built in 1321, this is the highest structure of its type in Scotland.
Walk across the aqueduct and back again, then go down a long flight of steps to pass underneath ‘the great brick arches, which look as sound now as when they were built nearly 200 years ago.
Just before the Gothic turrets of Clifton Hall School, Victoria Cottage has an 1874 datestone. For much of the rest of the route the motorway is close by, but you can still enjoy the views. As you climb Platt Hill, you see through the fence on the right the innovative climbing arena.
As you start to descend and curve round the side of the hill, you are rewarded with a wonderful panorama of Edinburgh straight ahead.
Arthur‘s Seat and the castle are easy to pick out. On the right are the extensive grounds of Ratho Hall.
It is worth looking at Ratho Church which dates from the 16th century. Among the graves in the kirkyard is a coffin-shaped memorial to one William Mitchell, preacher, who sufiered “an instantaneous death from a stroke by a threshing machine, December 1800". it would seem he was an early victim of the Industrial Revolution, which before long would bring the canal through Ratho, drastically cutting the journey time between Edinburgh and Glasgow and making the traffic in vital goods such as coal much more efficient.
Today, it provides us with splendid opportunities for walking and cycling and for that we should be grateful.

Route:
Start at the Bridge lnn, Ratho (GH: NT138710).
Cross the canal and tum left down to the towpath.
Turn right and follow the canal for 3.5km to the Almond Aqueduct.
Turn right down steps walk under the aqueduct and follow the lane up.
Join a road and continue.
At Cliflon Mains turn left and then right at Clifton Hall School.
At the road junction, cross and go up the track opposite.
Keep left on the field path (signed Ratho via Platt Hill).
Follow the track right round the hill and down to Ratho village.
Turn right to return to the start.




 
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Glasgow Visitor Guide - Colin Baxter Itchy Insider's Guide to Glasgow Glasgow Footprint Pocket Guide Glasgow Insight Pocket Guide Glasgow Guide Pub Companion Glasgow Scotland's Highlands & Islands - Rough Guide Scotland - Rough Guide

Glasgow Insight Pocket GuideCollins Street Map of GlasgowGlasgow: Then & NowThey belonged to Glasgow Phillips Street Atlas of Glasgow & West Central Scotland Glasgow: The Photographic Atlas100 Hillwalks around Glasgow 50 Walks in Glasgow & SW Scotland

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Classic Climbs - Central & Southern Highlands The Isle of Arran Lonely Planet, Walking in ScotlandPathfinder Guide: Skye and NW Highlands WalksPathfinder Guide: Fort William and Glen Coe Walks Rambler's Guide: Ben Nevis and Glen Coe50 Best Routes on Skye and Raasay - Chris Townsend











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