The Edinburgh and Glasgow Union Canal, or just the Union Canal as it's known today, was nicknamed "The Mathematical" when it opened due it's ingenious design. This self-led walk along the stretch from Fountainbridge near the city centre, to the Slateford Aqueduct will take you through the history of the city as well as that of Scotland itself. You’ll find out about how the Union Canal was shaped by East/West rivalry, global trade and even its connections to Bonny Prince Charlie and Napoleon. Along the way, you can explore the engineering of the canal and it’s structures, learning why they were built, how they work and the impact they’ve had on the surrounding communities for the last 200 years.
Available all year round. Download the trail via the link below.
For the UK Wildlife Trusts annual 30 Days Wild challenge, which encourages people to spend more time outside and engage with nature, we've come up with 30 fun ideas to get you active in nature and incorporate some maths along the way (updated for 2025).
