Carron Sealock, Forth & Clyde Canal
Grange Ln, Grangemouth FK3 8EG
July 2, 2021
2 July '21. Did you know there was a canal linking the Firth of Forth in the east to the Clyde in the west?
Negotiating the Carron Sealock was one of the more tricky bits of navigation I did in Scotland, not least because Scottish Canals had not used the lock for nearly 2 years and there was a bit of doubt whether Good Dog's keel would go aground at the entrance (which it did - see photo 6!).
With a lot of help from Scottish Canals staff (thank you Mark Smith, Richard Miller, Donald Boa, Ian Wilson, Andy Carnduff, Alistair, Gary, Russell and Fraser) we finally met the Harbour Master for the lock, Tommy Thomson (photo 5). Tommy has worked for SC for 34 years and is a great enthusiast.
Opened in 1790 - far earlier than the Caledonian (1826), The Forth and Clyde Canal runs for 35 miles, has 39 locks and over 40 aqueducts. Built during the war with France it provided a safe route for cargo coasters from the Irish Sea to the German Ocean (now called the North Sea). After the defeat of the French, and as ships became too large to transit, traffic turned to fishing boats, barges and a few leisure boats.
Tommy explained that the canal had fallen into disrepair after Beeching closed it in 1963. However as part of the Millennium Project the canal was restored and the amazing Falkirk wheel (photo 7) replaced a flight of 11 locks linking up with The Union Canal. In 2013 the incredible 30m high Kelpies sculptures were built as a monument to horse powered heritage across Scotland, designed by sculptor Andy Scott. The final part of the restoration, allowing (demasted) sea going boats access under the M9, an extension to the canal was built and opened by the Queen in 2017. This included the new Carron Sealock.
When you next drive through central Scotland I implore you to stop and visit this wonder!
Negotiating the Carron Sealock was one of the more tricky bits of navigation I did in Scotland, not least because Scottish Canals had not used the lock for nearly 2 years and there was a bit of doubt whether Good Dog's keel would go aground at the entrance (which it did - see photo 6!).
With a lot of help from Scottish Canals staff (thank you Mark Smith, Richard Miller, Donald Boa, Ian Wilson, Andy Carnduff, Alistair, Gary, Russell and Fraser) we finally met the Harbour Master for the lock, Tommy Thomson (photo 5). Tommy has worked for SC for 34 years and is a great enthusiast.
Opened in 1790 - far earlier than the Caledonian (1826), The Forth and Clyde Canal runs for 35 miles, has 39 locks and over 40 aqueducts. Built during the war with France it provided a safe route for cargo coasters from the Irish Sea to the German Ocean (now called the North Sea). After the defeat of the French, and as ships became too large to transit, traffic turned to fishing boats, barges and a few leisure boats.
Tommy explained that the canal had fallen into disrepair after Beeching closed it in 1963. However as part of the Millennium Project the canal was restored and the amazing Falkirk wheel (photo 7) replaced a flight of 11 locks linking up with The Union Canal. In 2013 the incredible 30m high Kelpies sculptures were built as a monument to horse powered heritage across Scotland, designed by sculptor Andy Scott. The final part of the restoration, allowing (demasted) sea going boats access under the M9, an extension to the canal was built and opened by the Queen in 2017. This included the new Carron Sealock.
When you next drive through central Scotland I implore you to stop and visit this wonder!