The Forth and Clyde Canal and Union Canal in Scotland were connected by 11 locks due to a 79ft elevation difference. In 1963 construction began on an extraordinary solution - a huge water carousel that was completed in 2002. This rotational boat transporter, the only one of its kind in the world, moves boats between the upper and lower canals using two rotating arms that act as tubs filled with water. The whole process takes just 15 minutes.

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. There are boats in both “tubs”
35 m
upper and lower

12. Rotation is starting

13. Boats in both rotating arms

14. Rotation

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 tons.

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