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You are here: Home / Blog / The Kirk on the Canal
The Kirk on the Canal

The Kirk on the Canal

Polwarth Parish Church in Edinburgh is located beside The Union Canal but a new imaginative initiative in partnership with Scottish Canals and the Armed Forces will make it the Kirk on the Canal.

By September it is intended that work will be completed to create a garden space that begins in the grounds of the church, will go through the existing boundary wall with the erection of a new gate and will create on the canal side a new garden and decking area complete with mooring, so transforming the present overgrown area into a place dedicated to peace and well-being.

When Polwarth Church asked to adopt the portion of the Canal adjacent to its grounds they wanted to do more than keep the area clean of rubbish. The minister, the Rev Jack Holt said, “From the outset our intention was to create an access onto the canal and so provide a point of contact with the growing number of diverse communities that use the water, the towpath and the amenities of Harrison Park.”

With architect plans and surveys in place the Scottish Canals and Historic Scotland gave permission for the project to go ahead.

The unexpected part of the venture was where the funding eventually came from: the Armed Forces Community Covenant, a grant scheme to help integrate the Armed Forces into the local community. In investigating this funding stream the Church was approached by an army veterans charity Back Out There¸ that was looking for an area in Edinburgh where gardening as a therapy could be undertaken. This award-winning charity will create floral versions of the local church’s logo and that of the Ministry of Defence within the grounds.

Ray Howie, a retired veteran and landscape gardener employed by the charity said, “I will come from Fife to sit in the floral garden as there will be nowhere else like it in the East of Scotland.”

Polwarth Church agreed that its existing grounds could be used for this purpose and this partnership allowed the Church to eventually gain a grant from the Community Covenant to create the new garden by the canal.

A final outcome to this combination of partnerships is that Scottish Canals seeing the success of the project now wish to expand the moorings alongside that of the church to further develop the area for greater waterway usage as part of their and Edinburgh Council’s strategy for what is called the ‘Harrison Park Hub.’

The minister said, “A small, hard-working team from the congregation are to be congratulated on bringing this project to completion. We look forward to opening our grounds and gardens to veterans and their families, the local schools, resident of care homes, special needs groups and visitors to and users of the canal as a place of peace.”

Work of breaking through the wall and creating the garden began in the second half of July and the Grand Opening with representation from the Council, Scottish Canals and the Armed Forces has been pencilled in for 12 September.

For more information contact:

Maureen Bowman (project co-ordinator), 443 7507 [email protected]

Dawn Whittaker (project manager) 443 0096 [email protected]

3rd September 20153rd September 20151
Tags community, community garden, conservation, Edinburgh, scottish canals, the Union Canal
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15sep - 20sep 1510:00 amsep 20Glasgow Doors Open Days: The White House InnExhibition in Maryhill's oldest building

Event Details

The history of Maryhill’s oldest building is deeply linked to the Forth & Clyde canal, with its origins as a public house selling groceries and alcohol to locals and to [...]

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Event Details

The history of Maryhill’s oldest building is deeply linked to the Forth & Clyde canal, with its origins as a public house selling groceries and alcohol to locals and to passing boatmen. There will be an exhibition for visitors, detailing the history of the building and the canal.

The White House is an important early historical landmark in the Maryhill area. It was built in the late 18th century, around the time of the construction of the west side of the Forth and Clyde Canal, the oldest and the longest canal in Scotland, which was completed in 1790.

The White House Inn was built as a public house for those using the canal network – it even served as Maryhill’s first post office. It is situated at the head of Maryhill Locks, near where the main canal joins the spur to Speirs Wharf.

Throughout the week, the building will host an exhibition by Scottish Waterways Trust, detailing the history of the canal in the area.
The White House is now occupied by cycling charity Free Wheel North, who will be organising rickshaw rides along the canal towpath during the Doors Open Day weekend.

Discover Glasgow’s Industrial Heritage: The White House, Maryhill, has played an important role in the history of Scotland’s canal network. In 2015, newly repurposed as a cycling hub which takes advantage of the extensive network of canal towpaths and river walkways, the White House is still relevant to how people of the area think about transportation.

Opening Times - Tue, Wed, Sat & Sun 10am – 4pm

Access - Full Disabled Access

Facilities - Disabled Toilet, Toilets, Refreshments Available

Nearest Train or Subway Station(s): Maryhill, Kelvindale & Summerston
Parking: Car Park Available On-Site – Free of Charge
For more information: http://glasgowdoorsopenday.com/event/white-house-inn/

Time

15 (Tuesday) 10:00 am - 20 (Sunday) 4:00 pm

Organizer

Gemma Wild

[email protected] / 07795 315434

Lambhill Stables, 11 Canal Bank North G22 6RD
20sep11:00 am- 5:00 pmGlasgow Canal Water Taxis from Lambhill StablesTake a guided boat trip along the canal as part of Doors Open Days

Event Details

Take a trip along the Forth & Clyde Canal and explore its rich industrial heritage. You will travel through the wildlife corridor that is the canal in North Glasgow.

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Event Details

Take a trip along the Forth & Clyde Canal and explore its rich industrial heritage. You will travel through the wildlife corridor that is the canal in North Glasgow.

A route to link the Firths of Forth and Clyde by canal had been raised on several occasions. After much debate and deliberation over different schemes, construction of the privately-owned Forth & Clyde Canal was approved by an Act of Parliament in March 1768. The canal was designed by John Smeaton and completed in 1790.

The 35-mile long canal served as a trade route between east and west, carrying coal and other commercial goods between Scotland’s towns and cities. It was to be large enough for seagoing vessels to develop links with trade in Europe and America.

At a time when the road network was limited and generally in a poor condition the canals offered an alternative means of transport that was efficient, relatively fast and tailored to the needs of the growing industrial sector.

The tour will take you through the industrial landscape of North Glasgow. Departing from Scottish Canals Head office on Applecross street you will see one of the remaining historic Bascule Bridges and one of the oldest Canal buildings dating from the late 1700’s. From there you will sail through Firhill Basin and onto Maryhill Locks were the boat will turn before heading to Lambhill Stables. The stables date from the 1820’s and serviced the horses that pulled the ‘Swift Boats’ that brought passengers into the heart of the city.

These and many other historic sights will be highlighted by the on board guides.

Tour Times

Sun 11am & 3pm; 2 hours

Advanced Booking Essential. Booking opens at 10am on Wednesday 26th August 2015. Details of how to book will be updated on this webpage shortly. Please be aware that Doors Open Day events are very popular and will book out quickly.

Please book on the Doors Open Days website: http://glasgowdoorsopenday.com/event/glasgow-canal-water-taxi-from-lambhill-stables/

Access

Limited Disabled Access
There is access for the ambulant disabled into the boat. Access is by steps down onto the foredeck. There may also be a step up to the boat.

 

Getting Here

Nearest Train or Subway Station(s): Possil & Parkhouse

Parking: On Street Parking Available – Free of Charge

 

Organisation

Scottish Canals

Time

(Sunday) 11:00 am - 5:00 pm

Location

Canal Towpath by Balmore Road Bridge

Lambhill Stables, 11 Canal Bank North G22 6RD

Organizer

Gemma Wild

[email protected] / 07795 315434

24 Lanark Road Edinburgh EH14 1TQ
20sep1:00 pm- 3:30 pmBee Scene in EdinburghVolunteer Bumblebee Surveys on the Union Canal

Event Details

Get a buzz out of bumblebees? Join our volunteer bumblebee surveys along the Union Canal in Edinburgh to learn more about these fascinating furry creatures and the vital role they play [...]

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Event Details

Get a buzz out of bumblebees?

Join our volunteer bumblebee surveys along the Union Canal in Edinburgh to learn more about these fascinating furry creatures and the vital role they play in the environment.

Using resources provided by the Bumblebee Conservation Trust (BBCT), we will be assessing a stretch of the canal once a month between March and October. Bumblebee sightings will contribute to the BBCT’s National ‘BeeWalk’ database and to the Scottish Canals environmental heritage team who will be pleased to have up-to-date information on these crucial contributors to the general health of the canal environment.

Are you a seasoned bee buff or just want to get with the buzz on the Canal? Come along!

Time

(Sunday) 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm

Location

Water of Leith Conservation Trust

24 Lanark Road Edinburgh EH14 1TQ

Organizer

Alan Forrester

07768 951740

Edinburgh Quay
26sep2:00 pm- 4:00 pmUnlock the Story of the Union CanalPart of Doors Open Days Edinburgh

Event Details

Unlock the story of the Union Canal on our free guided walk in Edinburgh as part of Doors Open Days. Explore the heritage and rich social and industrial history of Edinburgh's [...]

Event Details

Unlock the story of the Union Canal on our free guided walk in Edinburgh as part of Doors Open Days.

Explore the heritage and rich social and industrial history of Edinburgh’s canal on this free, two-hour guided walk with Canal Officer Gemma.

Booking by Monday 21st September essential at www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-cockburnassociation-8395054886

Meet at Edinburgh Quay.

Time

(Saturday) 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Location

Edinburgh Quay

Edinburgh Quay

Organizer

Gemma Wild

[email protected] / 07795 315434

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