Union Canal Looking Towards Hailesland Park

Category

Library Item

Item no

21369

Title

Union Canal looking towards Hailesland Park, Wester Hailes

Description

A young couple push a pram along the towpath of the Union Canal at Wester Hailes. The towerblocks of Hailesland Park are in the background.Grass grows on the canal bank and there are bushes growing there and in the forefront of the picture.The path is lit by street lights at regular intervals. A stone bridge connects both sides of the canal. Along the background are medium rise flats and beyond that the towerblocks of Hailesland Park.

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 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 for there were no locks its entire length.
There were originally six high flats in the development designed by Sir Frank Mears and Partners in 1971/2. Three have since been demolished and the remaining three reclad and individually named,Midcairn, Kilncroft and Drovers Bank. Each have a mix of two and three apartment homes.

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Related subjects

Homes > Residential buildings > Flats

Homes > Residential buildings > Tower blocks

People > Adults > Women

People > Children > Babies

Places > Edinburgh areas > Wester Hailes

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

Transport > Infrastructure > Canals

Transport > Infrastructure > Stone bridges

Transport > Infrastructure > Street lights

Transport > Land > Prams

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