2. Scotland, UK

3. A Scottish Story Between the ports of Grangemouth and Falkirk the Forth & Clyde canal, was excavated in 1777 connecting the east coast of Scotland. Later, in 1822, the channel was completed connecting Falkirk and Edinburgh.

5. The relief of the region required the use of 11 locks to secure the traffic between Glasgow and Edinburgh. They had to overcome an uneveness of 24 meters in height.

6. In 1963, after 150 years of operation, construction started of a work of exceptional craftsmanship The rotation exchange was named "Falkirk Wheel" This fantastic device, completed in 2002, has become the symbol of modern Scotland, allowing savings of travel time and energy

7. The Site

9. This is the only mechanism in the world to transfer a vessel through rotation. A set of two containers filled with water, one above and one below, each with a capacity for one or more vessels, allows to simultaneously transfer from the upper level to the bottom level which is higher.

10. The lower channel access is through a lock

11. The upper channel … …… …

12. ... Access is through a viaduct

13. A vessel enters the upper level viaduct

14. The vessel in the upper level is ready

15. Upper Level Lower level 115 ft.

16. During rotation each vessel is kept horizontal by a set of gears

17. Both vessels remain horizontal

18. Ongoing rotation

20. rotation near its end

21. When rotation is completed the boats vessels can leave the trays. The photo below is the lower level access

22. Entry of a vessel to the lower troug h

23. The closure of the bulkheads, the balance of water levels and the rotation of the vessel require around 15 minutes

24. Ready to begin again with other boats.

25. The weight of the container, 25 feet long, filled with water and a loaded vessel reaches 300 tons

26. Since both receptacles must weigh the same, together with the water fill corresponding to the volume of the vessel, it is necessary to balance the weight by regulating water levels. To close the upstream and downstream bulkheads and complete a rotation of 180 degrees, energy consumption of the engines is 22.5 Kwh

27. This rotating work has completely transformed the river journey between Glasgow and Edinburgh making it very interesting from the tourism point of view

28. The End