The document summarizes the history and operation of the Falkirk Wheel, a rotating boat lift that connects two Scottish canals. It describes how the canals were originally connected by 11 locks to overcome elevation changes, but in 2002 this was replaced by the Falkirk Wheel, which saves time and energy. The Wheel has two arms that rotate like a ferris wheel to transport boats between the upper and lower canals, and is the only boat lift of its kind in the world. It takes just 15 minutes to rotate the arms and transfer boats between the canals.

1. At the beginning there were two canals:
Canal Forth and Clyde was built in 1777 between harbors
Grangemouth and Falkirk connecting Glasgow with west cost of
Scotland.
Canal Union between Falkirk and Edinburgh was finished in 1822.
Because of geographical difficulties, which created a difference
of 79ft.in elevation, the two canals were connected by 11 locks.

3. In 1963, after 150 yrs of existence of this water way with 11
locks the construction of a huge water carousel started. This
extraordinary idea was finished in 2002 and became a symbol
of Scotland. This invention saves not only time but also
energy.

6. This is the only rotational boat transporter in the
world. It has two arms and each arm forms a kind
of huge tub filled with water. Boats enter the tub,
then the tub locks up and the huge arm starts
rotating .

7. lower canal

8. Entrance to lower canal

9. A Boat is approaching the “tub”

11. 35 m
There are boats in both “tubs”

12. Rotation is starting

13. Boats in both rotating arms

14. rotation

15. Otáčení...

16. Just before “landing”

19. Closing the gate , regulation of level of water and “tubs” rotation
Takes 15 min. only.

21. One “tub” 78ft. Long with water and boat weights about 300

22. The “tubs” are filled according the Archimedes’ Law.
So the weight of “tubs” are balanced.
To open the upper and lower lock and turn the whole
system
by 180◦ they need an engine of 22.5 kW which only use
1.5 kWh