Union Canal near Canal Crescent, Wester Hailes

Category

Library Item

Item no

21322

Title

Union Canal near Canal Crescent, Wester Hailes

Description

This grassy area and path are at the side of the Union Canal. There is a large red sign in the centre of the picture warning "Danger Thin Ice".There are also smaller notices giving advice to cylists. At the base of the noticeboard is a seat. In the background is a large container painted blue and green and decorated with representations of tower blocks, trees, pond and swan. A line of buildings can be seen on the other side of the canal.

Artist / maker

MacLean, Kevin

Date

2009

Type

Digital image

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

The Union Canal at Wester Hailes reopened on Saturday 25 August 2001, allowing water passage to central Edinburgh. The original canal was closed over in the late 1960s as new housing was developed in the area. Millennium funding allowed a new canal to be dug out. New bridges and walk ways were built and sculptures commissioned. The canal is now enjoyed by rowers and passengers of barges while the path is a peaceful walk or cycle to and from Wester Hailes into Edinburgh.
The original canal was opened in 1822. It was 31.5 miles long and connected Glasgow to Edinburgh. It was described as Scotland's only contour canal because there were no locks along its entire length.

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Related subjects

Places > Edinburgh areas > Wester Hailes

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

Transport > Infrastructure > Canals

Transport > Infrastructure > Trails and paths

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