Union Canal, Edinburgh

Name: Union Canal
Address: Edinburgh Basin, Edinburgh, United Kingdom

#99 among attractions in Edinburgh

Canal

Gallery (10)

Map

Gallery

Photo details 1. Wikipedia / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Kim Traynor / URL • 2. Wikimedia Commons / Public domain / File Upload Bot (Magnus Manske) / URL • 3. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Kim Traynor / URL • 4. Wikimedia Commons / Public domain / Peter I. Vardy / URL • 5. Wikimedia Commons / Public domain / File Upload Bot (Magnus Manske) / URL • 6. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0 / Ultra7 / URL • 7. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0 / davefalconer / URL

Facts and practical information

The Union Canal, full name the Edinburgh and Glasgow Union Canal, is a canal in Scotland, running from Falkirk to Edinburgh, constructed to bring minerals, especially coal, to the capital. It was opened in 1822 and was initially successful, but the construction of railways, particularly the Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway, which opened in 1842, diminished its value as a transport medium. It fell into slow commercial decline and was closed to commercial traffic in 1933. It was officially closed in 1965. The canal is listed as three individual scheduled monuments by Historic Scotland according to the three former counties, Midlothian, West Lothian and Stirlingshire, through which it flows. ()

Alternative names: Coordinates: 55°56'28"N, 3°12'44"W

Address

Edinburgh BasinFountainbridgeEdinburgh United Kingdom

Contact

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Edinburgh

Day trips

Union Canal – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: National War Museum, Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Museum, St Cuthbert's Church, Bruntsfield Links.

0.7 miNE
Military exhibitions at Edinburgh Castle
National War Museum, Edinburgh
17 min walk • Nestled within the historic confines of Edinburgh Castle, the National War Museum stands as a poignant testament to Scotland's military history. This venerable institution, located in the heart of Scotland's capital, is dedicated to sharing the stories and preserving...
0.6 miNE
Museum, Military museum
Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Museum, Edinburgh
17 min walk • Nestled within the historic walls of Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Museum stands as a testament to over 300 years of military heritage. This distinguished museum is dedicated to Scotland's only cavalry regiment, the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, which...
0.6 miNE
Church, Sacred and religious sites
St Cuthbert's Church, Edinburgh
17 min walk • St Cuthbert's Church, nestled at the foot of Edinburgh's iconic Castle Rock, stands as a testament to the city's rich religious heritage. This historic church, with its origins dating back to the 7th century, is a spiritual landmark that has served the people of...
~1670 ftE
Sport venue, Sport
Bruntsfield Links, Edinburgh
9 min walk • Bruntsfield Links is 35 acres of open parkland in Bruntsfield, Edinburgh, immediately to the south-west of the adjoining Meadows.
0.7 miN
Church, Sacred and religious sites
Church of St John the Evangelist, Edinburgh
17 min walk • The Church of St John the Evangelist is a Scottish Episcopal church in the centre of Edinburgh, Scotland. It is sited at the west end of Princes Street at its junction with Lothian Road, and is protected as a category A listed building.
0.5 miN
Church, Gothic Revival architecture
St Mary's Cathedral, Edinburgh
14 min walk • St Mary's Cathedral or the Cathedral Church of Saint Mary the Virgin is a cathedral of the Scottish Episcopal Church in the West End of Edinburgh, Scotland. It was built in the late 19th century in the West End of Edinburgh's New Town.
~1780 ftE
Nightlife, Cinema, Cafe
Cameo Cinema, Edinburgh
9 min walk • The Cameo is an Edinburgh cinema which started life as the King's Cinema on 8 January 1914 and is one of the oldest cinemas in Scotland still in use. Since becoming the Cameo in 1949, it has had a tradition of showing art house films. From 1949 onward it has been an important venue for the Edinburgh International Film Festival.
0.4 miNE
Nightlife, Cinema, Bars and clubs
Filmhouse, Edinburgh
11 min walk • The Edinburgh Filmhouse is a cinema located in Edinburgh, Scotland, which opened in 1979. It is home to the world's oldest continually running film festival, Edinburgh International Film Festival.
0.5 miNE
Nightlife, Music and shows, Concerts and shows
Usher Hall, Edinburgh
13 min walk • The Usher Hall is a concert hall in Edinburgh, Scotland. It has hosted concerts and events since its construction in 1914 and can hold approximately 2,200 people in its recently restored auditorium, which is well loved by performers due to its acoustics.
~1930 ftE
Theater, Concerts and shows
King's Theatre, Edinburgh
10 min walk • The King's Theatre is a theatre in Edinburgh, Scotland.
0.6 miSE
Church
Gillis Centre, Edinburgh
16 min walk • Gillis Centre, formerly Gillis College and founded as St Margaret's Convent and School, is a complex of buildings situated close to the city centre of Edinburgh, Scotland. The history of the site can be traced back to the 15th century.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which popular attractions are close to Union Canal?

Nearby attractions include Leamington Lift Bridge, Edinburgh (2 min walk), Viewforth Church, Edinburgh (3 min walk), Fountainbridge, Edinburgh (3 min walk), Barclay Viewforth Church, Edinburgh (9 min walk).

How to get to Union Canal by public transport?

The nearest stations to Union Canal:

Bus

Viewforth • Lines: 1, 10, 27 (3 min walk)
Leamington Terrace • Lines: 10, 27 (3 min walk)

Train

Haymarket (10 min walk)
Edinburgh Waverley (29 min walk)

Tram

Haymarket • Lines: Edinburgh Trams Eastbound, Edinburgh Trams Westbound (12 min walk)
West End • Lines: Edinburgh Trams Eastbound, Edinburgh Trams Westbound (14 min walk)