Canal Festival’s Feet First Walk
This weekend (27 & 28 June) the Union Canal will come alive with festivities for the first Edinburgh Canal Festival, with lots of fun activities taking place along the towpath including two special Feet First walks.
The walks, organised by The Waterways Trust Scotland are for the local community and festival visitors to learn more about the history and the surroundings of the Union Canal. The first walk leaves Leamington Lift Bridge, Edinburgh Quay at 11.30am and finishes at Slateford Aqueduct, the second walk begins at 1.30pm from outside the Water of Leith Conservation Trust in Slateford returning to Edinburgh Quay. The Waterways Trust Scotland is inviting everyone to come along and join in the fun. “This festival will really show case all the Union Canal has to offer, right in the heart of the city” said Karen Moore, Development Director, The Waterways Trust Scotland. Karen knows people will find the walks enjoyable as well as interesting, she added; “The Union Canal is steeped in history and we aim to entertain people on the walks with the interesting stories about the Union Canal. My personal favourite is Burke & Hare’s connection with the canal, which people will find very interesting! There are also a wealth of animals and plants which are unique to the canal side to be seen and the walks offer people a chance to take the time to really spot the beauty of the canal in the city.” The first Edinburgh Canal Festival combines the established Raft Race with many more fun activities and entertainment for the family and community. The Feet First walks add that something special to the day for those interested in learning more about the history and the environment. There will also be free boat trips, an art exhibition, a community mural display, craft market and community stalls, a ‘wee boat’ floatilla, canal dipping, wine tasting and lots of opportunities for people to explore all the canal has to offer. And all musical tastes should be covered throughout the day with a salsa exhibition as well as a pipe, a jazz, a celidh, a samba and a drumming band all coming along!
These two special walks are part of the now well established Feet First walking programme which has been successfully running on both the Union and the Forth & Clyde Canals over the past three years. The healthy living initiative spearheaded by The Waterways Trust Scotland is something all the family can enjoy together.
Anyone who would like to come along and join in the Edinburgh Canal Festival Feet First Walks on the 27 June should meet at 11.30am at Leamington Lift Bridge or at 1.30pm outside Water of Leith Conservation Trust at Slateford.
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