Out of Doors

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Out of Doors: Outdoor Lads and the 200th Anniversary of the Union Canal

Outdoor Lads and the 200th Anniversary of the Union Canal

BBC Radio Scotland - Out of Doors, Outdoor Lads and the 200th Anniversary of the Union Canal

Mark Stephen and Rachel Stewart with stories from the great outdoors.

Rachel is back in Greenock with the Outdoor Lads, to find out how this charity is boosting the livelihoods of a group of gay, bisexual and trans men, by bringing folk together for a host of outdoor adventures. 
					
This week, Mark and Rachel are celebrating the 200th Anniversary of the Union Canal, with a trip down the towpath from the Lochrin Basin in Edinburgh, along the Union and Forth and Clyde Canals, to Glasgow. 

Mark is briefed on the benefits of the electric bicycle, by Johan Spinski of the Tartan Bicycle Company, before he peddles off on his e-pilgrimage down the canal. 

Along the way, Mark dips into the depths of the canal with Magnet Fisher, John Robertson. Armed with a strong rope, and an even stronger magnet, John’s fished out grenades, a World War 2 rifle, and other metallic marvels.  

Rachel makes herself at home with Jonathan Mosse, who lives on the Union Canal on a narrowboat near to Linlithgow. He explains the enviable freedoms afforded by community life on the water.

Scotland’s only Canal Museum is run by volunteers from the Linlithgow Union Canal Society. Mark meets volunteer Mike Smith, for a wander round the exhibits, and an insight into the past 200 years of the Union Canal. 

Hoping to learn a little more about the canal as a habitat, Mark caught up with Gus Brindle, Chairman of the Scottish Federation for Coarse Angling. They chat about how canal fishing stands apart from river fishing. 

Rachel heads to the Falkirk Wheel, where she is treated to a canalside composition from the talented young composer Viktor Seifert and his 14-year-old sister Clara.

Whilst there, Rachel discovers the secrets of the engineering marvel, the Falkirk Wheel. Ross McMillan is Head of Destinations for Scottish Canals, he explains the Falkirk Wheel’s links with the Archimedes Screw.

Tommy Lawton is one of the founding members of the Forth & Clyde Canal Society, he briefs Mark on the canal's industrial history.

Rachel hears about the Stockingfield Bridge Project which is underway to reconnect three communities in North Glasgow, linking them to the Forth & Clyde canal towpath. Richard Millar, Scottish Canals Chief Operating Officer, explains which stage the project is at.

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