The historic canal system between Edinburgh and Glasgow has recently been upgraded to a major area for tourism and recreation. The Millenium Link project has joined the Union Canal with the Forth and Clyde Canal through the spectacular Falkirk Wheel. The Wheel, the world's first and only rotating boat lift, is now one of the leading visitor attractions in Britain. The canals themselves were the cutting-edge technology of their day in the great age of the Industrial Revolution. In this guide, Hamish Brown describes their extraordinary history, illustrating it with rare archive pictures from his own collection. Nowadays, the canals provide endless opportunities for recreation, whether on the water, enjoying the wildlife, strolling along the towpaths for an hour or two or taking on the challenge of walking city to city over several days. Illustrated in colour throughout, and with detailed maps of every section of the canals, this guide shows you how to make the most of a swathe of rural tranquility in the heart of lowland Scotland.