Fountainbridge Area

Edinburgh Attractions

Edinburgh Quay

Fountainbridge Edinburgh

Fountainbridge area of Edinburgh has been going through a redevelopment over the last few years and is now a modern business area with a leisure area that has a multiplex cinema, bowling alley, casino, children’s soft play centre, restaurants, pubs and the canal basin with barges which can be hired, or go for a slow cruise and have dinner. When Sean Connery returned to unveil a plaque dedicated to where he was born he was amazed at the changes that had been made to the area. The Edinburgh International Conference Centre is also nearby and has events all year around. There are hotels, self-catering and serviced apartments nearby and it is all a short walk to the city centre and Haymarket Rail Station.

Edinburgh Quay

Attractions Edinburgh

Edinburgh Quay is where the Union canal basin (end) is located. You can follow the canal to where it joins the Forth and Clyde canal at the world famous Falkirk Wheel opened in 2002 it re-joins the 2 canals for the first time since the 1930s. Take a barge trip or sit by the shore and have lunch and drinks at the shore side bars and restaurants.

UNION CANAL BASIN FOUNTAINBRIDGE EDINBURGH

Union Canal Walkway Barge tours Edinburg

Union Canal Barge Centre

Edinburgh Attractions

Edinburgh Union Canal Barge Centre is close to the Leamington Lift Bridge where you start the trip on a Barge.

Take a barge trip on a slow moving barge have lunch High tea or drinks and see the sites as you cruise along.

Leamington Lift Bridge over Union Canal.

THE FALKIRK WHEEL

The Falkirk Wheel is the first barge lift in the world which replaces the loch system. Opened in 2002 it is an engineering break through to connect the Forth and Clyde Canal and the Union Canal. The Falkirk Wheel can carry eight or more boats at a time. You can enjoy a return trip which take around 1 hour.

THE KELPIES

The Kelpies are the largest equine sculptures in the world. The heads are called Duke and Baron, Duke on the left is 26.3m and Baron on the right is 30m. There are tours of both which you can go on.

Take the barge that goes on the wheel and you can go inside the horse’s heads. Both sites mark where the canal system connects the east and the west of Scotland. The Kelpies are mythical beasts that lured Victims to their deaths by drowning.

SIR THOMAS SEAN CONNERY

Born 25 August 1930 and live at 176 Fountainbridge in Edinburgh. Sean Connery is probably the most famous and well known Scottish actor. He is best known for his role as

James Bond between 1962 and 1983.

His first job however was delivering milk in Edinburgh local people from the local base at Grove Street. The plaque has been place at the location where he was born which is now a new build and street called Melvin Walk.