A massive rotating boat lift carries boats 24 metres (79 feet) into the air and sends them across a large aqueduct that connects two important canals together. Watching the Falkirk Wheel lift giant boats on its rotating arms reminds one of an amusement park ride, but the size of this enormous lift outdoes any ordinary roller coaster on the planet.
Connecting the Union Canal with the Forth and Clyde Canal, the Falkirk Wheel is the only route that boats in the area have to get from one Canal to the other. There once existed a different type of connection between the canals called a lock. planners decided to construct a new modern structure that would stand out rather than updating the Lock Flight that was previously used. The Falkirk Wheel is the only boat lift of its kind in the world. The opposing arms are designed after the Celtic Double-headed Axe. The Wheel has become popular to watch from the water’s edge. A visitors center has been opened to discuss the ingenuity and architecture of the design.