The only rotary elevator for ships in the world

The building is named after the vicinity of Falkirk, central Scotland. On 24 May 2002, Queen Elizabeth II celebrated the inauguration of the Falkirk Wheel as part of her wedding anniversary, but it was delayed by about a month due to flooding. The total cost of repairing the damage caused by the flood is £350,000.

This “man-made wonder” was designed and built to connect the Forth and Clyde Canals with the Union Canal. Because the water level difference between the two canals is up to 24m, almost equal to an 8-storey building, it is very difficult to travel, building a connecting branch canal is impossible. Vessels sailing from the lower-water Clyde Canal will enter a chute and be lifted high into an aqueduct so that it can enter the Union Canal above.

This "elevator" is the world's first and only swing bridge. The Falkirk Wheel has a large tooth ring, 35m in diameter, consisting of two symmetrical arms extending 15 meters beyond the central axis. The shape of the two ends of the bridge was inspired by the Celtic ax.

The giant wheel of this bridge can rotate 180° in 5.5 minutes but consumes very little electricity, only about 1.5kW/h (5.4 MJ) of energy to operate, just as much energy to run. Boil about 8 small kettles of water.

After being put into operation, Falkirk Wheel has really proved its effectiveness when creating a real connection between the two canals and at the same time becoming an extremely popular tourist attraction because of its strange design. mine.

Since 2007, the Falkirk Wheel train lift system has been featured on a £50 note issued by the Bank of Scotland. Now there is a tour to visit this unique "elevator" within 1 hour.

Link video: