Falkirk Wheel

 

On our way back up from Edinburgh yesterday, we detoured to visit the Falkirk Wheel, and the Kelpies. We’d heard much about both but never visited. Short of time, we contented ourselves with a drive-by of the Kelpies, delicately sculpted horses rising from the earth, before parking and going to the Wheel, an impressive feat of engineering which lifts canal boats from one level to another, having replaced nine locks which previously had been necessary.

There we lingered, opting for the longer tour which included a canal boat negotiating the wheel and then moving a short distance along the higher level before turning and riding down again. We were told that the two boats in use for such tours are called Archimedes, because of the ancient principle on which the design is based, and Antonine, for the Rough Fort built by the Romans nearly two thousand years ago on which the Wheel rests. Coming off the boat, we walked to the remains of the Antonine wall which stretched across Scotland to hold the barbarians back. It didn’t work, and after a few decades of struggles, the Romans abandoned Scotland, deeming it unconquerable.

Engineering feats both ancient and modern, both successful and unsuccessful. Both aimed to conquer the beautiful, wild terrain. The earth declares the beauty of the Lord. Privileged and grateful to have time to enjoy the countryside from a different vantage point.