2011 Operating Dates
Sunday 7th August
Canal boat trips with Bluebell at Port Buchan, Broxburn, from 1 to 4pm.
Sunday 4th September
Canal boat trips with Bluebell at Port Buchan, Broxburn, from 1 to 4pm.
Sunday 2nd October
Canal boat trips with Bluebell at Port Buchan, Broxburn, from 1 to 4pm.
Sunday boat trips
Trips are available from April to October between 1pm and 4pm on the first sunday of each month. See the column to the right for a list of dates.
We run alternating north/south trips from Port Buchan, Broxburn. Refer to our map page to find us more easily.
Each trip lasts approximately 25 minutes. Light refreshments and toilet facilities are available aboard Bluebell.
Cost: £3 per adult, £2 per child. All proceeds go toward running Bluebell and maintaining the canal for your continued pleasure.
The Northbound Trip
Starting from Port Buchan, we travel along the canal parallel with "Pyothall Ct" heading North East away from Edinburgh. We'll often see swans along this stretch, which passes the Greendykes industrial units on your left (where candles were once produced) and the back of Broxburn primary school on your right.
The first canal structure we encounter is the Greendykes road bridge. Constructed by Babtie Group in April 2000, this is a modern concrete bridge approached at an angle. The canal here is only just wider than Bluebell and your driver will need to turn Bluebell on the final approach to ensure smooth passage.
As we exit the canal widens again and bears slightly to the left. On your left you'll see the remains of the old Shale Oil mining bings, and on the right is the back of Broxburn Sports centre, then Broxburn Athletic Football club ground.
We pass a canal launching point on the right. This is where small boats can be transferred into and out of the canal, but it can be used as a turning point if the need arises. However our journey will continue around the bend to the left.
We pass beneath another bridge now. An older, masonary bridge, marking the approach to the turning point we'll use on this trip.
The Winding hole just beyond the bridge on the left is no longer usable because it has not been dredged for some time. We'll go beyond this to the point where the canal widens. We'll judge the method of turning from the direction of the wind, slowing gradually, then putting the bow of Bluebell into either the East or West bank of the canal as it widens.
The Southbound Trip
Starting from Port Buchan, we will pull out into the canal to go beneath the bridge under Broxburn West Main Street (A899) heading South. This takes us out onto a very straight stretch where we can see 2-3 bridges ahead of us as we pass the backs of houses on the Badger estate on the right, and the main canal path runs on the left.
Our first bridge (No 25) takes us beneath a footpath connecting Badger Brook on the West (right) to Parklands on the East (left). This is one of the original bridges, dating from 1822. As we emerge from this bridge, watch out for a passing glimpse the Planet Jupiter as represented by the Kirkhill Pillar Project which has erected all the representations of all the planets of our solar system, centred on the roof of Broxburn High School. You'll see this on your right just after Bridge 25.
After we have passed beneath Bridge 25, we will be approaching Bridge 24a, which carries the A89 road over the canal. This was constructed in the 1930's and alot of people think it is wide because it was designed to carry a dual carriageway, however the real reason is that is was designed to carry a light railway across the canal beside the road. The railway was never constructed.
As we approach the bend to the left, the canal becomes more exposed to cross winds and your driver may have to compensate as these try to push Bluebell off course.
Our next structure is bridge 23 passing over the canal, carrying a farm track. Emerging from this bridge you may become aware of the noise from the M8 motorway, which can now be seen in the distance to your right.
The canal turns again to the left as we continue to head East instead of South. Your driver will now begin to Slow Bluebells pace as we approach the Winding Hole where we will turn back toward Port Buchan.
As we progress past fields, watch out for wildlife both on the banks and in the air.
