Thousands take to the Union Canal towpath for tenth anniversary celebrations

Oct 7 2010 by Alistair Watson, West Lothian Courier

THOUSANDS took to the Union Canal towpath last weekend in celebration of the tenth anniversary of the reopening of the pretty waterway.

Up to 15,000 people watched a spectacular procession of over 60 modern and historic craft as they journeyed the 32 mile length of the Union Canal.

The events were held to celebrate the special anniversary of the reopening of the West Lothian waterway which was made possible by the £86.5 million Millennium Link Project in 2000.

Vessels in this unique flotilla – Union 10 – set sail from the award-winning Edinburgh Quay with great fanfare on Saturday, September 25 arriving for an overnight stay in Linlithgow before setting off for journey’s end at the iconic Falkirk Wheel on Sunday.

The event was brought together by a raft of canal societies, charities and social enterprises which now benefit from the canal with the support of British Waterways Scotland.

The flotilla included traditional narrow boats and former fishing boats through to old Edwardian steam launches evoking a time gone by on the two hundred year old canal.

The Ratho Princess – built in 1923 – was the oldest in the flotilla fleet. Heralding the way was the Victoria, the replica steam packet boat which was the first to enter the Union Canal when it reopened in 2000.

Marking the flotilla send off at Linlithgow during the weekend, Stewart Stevenson, Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change, said: “The Scottish Government is committed to the regeneration of Scotland’s canals.

“Since reopening ten years ago, the Union Canal, along with the Forth and Clyde and Highland Canals, has become a thriving community asset benefiting the local economy as well as encouraging tourism.

“Living close to the Union Canal myself, I have seen the vital role that canal societies, local enthusiasts and social enterprises have played in bringing the canal back to life and recognise the continued importance to both communities and the local economy in ensuring that people engage with our revitalised waterways.”

Steve Dunlop, Director, British Waterways Scotland, added: “Union 10 is a tremendous validation of the public value brought by the reopening of the Union Canal a decade ago. A real community led celebration, it confirms how this Scheduled Monument born of the Industrial Revolution is once again a vibrant artery for waterside communities, particularly importantly within the more deprived areas through which the canal passes.

“Today, the Union Canal is a high quality, green space rich with heritage and wildlife.

“Altogether this weekend is a testament to the commitment and vision of all the canal societies, charities and waterway enthusiasts who campaigned so hard for the reopening of the lowland canals, the confidence and investment of the Scottish Government and Millennium Commission in making this a reality and the plethora of public and private sector partners who continue to invest in sustaining the canals today.”

Ronnie Rusack MBE, Chairman of the Seagull Trust, concluded: “This is the biggest flotilla celebration ever seen on the Union Canal in its two hundred year history. It was a 35 year long battle to get the waterway reopened and if it wasn’t for the support of Scottish Government and the former Millennium Commission, we wouldn’t be standing here today.

“Yet whilst it’s wonderful to see such colour and party atmosphere around the 60 strong flotilla today, we shouldn’t forget that the Union Canal lay derelict until just ten years ago. We all need to continue to support and use all the Scottish canals so that we can sustain and enjoy them for many, many more years to come.”

The Union Canal has become a true community asset used by the canal societies which were instrumental in its reopening and since – Edinburgh Canal Society, Bridge 19-40 Canal Society, Linlithgow Union Canal Society – as well as new social enterprises such as Re-Union Canal Boats and in addition, The Waterways Trust Scotland and the Seagull Trust.