At the beginning there were two canals:The Forth & Clyde canal was built in 1777, between the harbors of Grangemouth and Falkirk. This canal connected Glasgow with the west coast of Scotland. Union canal 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.

In 1963, after 150 yrs of existence the construction of a huge water carousel began. It replaced the eleven locks..This extraordinary idea was finished in 2002 and became a symbol of Scotland. This invention saves not only time but also energy.

This amazing contraption is the only rotational boat elevator in the world. It has two arms and each section holds a giant tub filled with water. Boats enter the tub, the tub then closesretaining the water, the huge arms then starts rotating.

lower canallower canal

Entrance to lower canalEntrance to lower canal

A Boat approaching the A Boat approaching the “tub”“tub”

There are boats in both There are boats in both “tubs”, upper and lower“tubs”, upper and lower

35 m35 m

Rotation is Rotation is startingstarting

Boats in both rotating Boats in both rotating armsarms

RotationRotation

Just before Just before “landing”“landing”

After closing the gate, regulation of the water level and full tub rotation takes only 15 min..

One “tub” 78ft. long with water One “tub” 78ft. long with water and and

a boat weights about 300 tons. a boat weights about 300 tons.

Boats of different sizes can be lifted or lowered at the same time.The tubs are filled with water according to ‘Archimedes Law’. The tubs are equalin weight and therefore balanced..To open the upper and lower locks and turn the whole system it requires a small motor of only 22.5 kW..

(A Toyota Prius electric motor produces 33KW)

NICE ENGINEERING