Every narrowboat holiday begins with a journey to the water—and our adventure across Scotland’s canals began with a road trip of its own.
Chris, our friends Dan and Jeff, and I set off from our former home at the Royal Arsenal in London, bound for Glasgow. The following day, we would continue to Falkirk and board our narrowboat for a journey along the Forth & Clyde and Union canals to Edinburgh.
Before reaching Scotland, however, we had planned a suitably historic diversion: Hadrian’s Wall.
Leaving London behind
We loaded the luggage into the car early that morning, anticipating the long journey north.
Chris assumed responsibility for the driving, while the rest of us settled into our considerably less demanding roles as navigator, refreshment coordinator and provider of unsolicited driving advice.
Jeff took charge of the music. His playlist moved confidently between classic rock and contemporary pop, transforming the car into a mobile concert venue as we left London behind.
The familiar urban landscape gradually gave way to open countryside. Although many hours on the A1(M) separated us from Glasgow, the shared excitement about the holiday ahead made the journey feel like part of the adventure.
Heading north
Long-distance driving can easily become something to endure rather than enjoy, but travelling together made the miles pass surprisingly quickly.
The conversation moved between memories, music and increasingly enthusiastic speculation about the coming week. We imagined the canals, the Falkirk Wheel and the experience of travelling by narrowboat between two of Scotland’s great cities.
Chris remained dependable behind the wheel while the rest of us offered support by eating snacks and occasionally announcing information already displayed by the satnav.
As the landscape became increasingly dramatic, we left the main route and headed towards Hadrian’s Wall.
A cold welcome at Hadrian’s Wall
Built from AD 122 on the orders of Emperor Hadrian, the wall once extended for 73 miles across northern England. Nearly two millennia later, its surviving remains still follow the contours of the landscape in an extraordinary demonstration of Roman ambition and engineering.
Our arrival was accompanied by cold air, persistent rain and strong winds.
It was not ideal sightseeing weather, but the conditions gave the landscape a suitably rugged atmosphere. Wrapped in coats and layers, we stepped out to explore the remains and take in the views.
The wall crossed the countryside ahead of us, its weathered stonework surrounded by open fields and rolling hills. Even beneath grey skies, it was easy to appreciate the scale of the undertaking and the history embedded in the landscape.
Coffee with Neil and Naomi
Hadrian’s Wall also provided the meeting point for a brief reunion with our friends Neil and Naomi.
A warm coffee was particularly welcome after our encounter with the Cumbrian weather. We caught up, exchanged news and enjoyed the slightly improbable pleasure of meeting friends beside one of Britain’s most significant Roman landmarks during a journey to Scotland.
It was only a short stop, but it added another memorable moment to the day.
Eventually, we said goodbye, returned to the warmth of the car and resumed our journey north.
Crossing into Scotland
With Hadrian’s Wall behind us, the focus returned to reaching Glasgow.
The weather remained changeable as Chris guided us along the final stretch. Conversation became quieter, the playlist continued and the accumulated miles gradually began to make themselves felt.
Even so, crossing into Scotland brought a renewed sense of excitement. Our canal holiday was no longer an idea discussed in London; it was waiting for us just beyond Glasgow.
By the time the city appeared, we were ready for a proper meal, comfortable beds and a rest from the road.
An evening in Glasgow
Our overnight base was the DoubleTree by Hilton in Glasgow.
After the early start, many hours in the car and our wet visit to Hadrian’s Wall, the hotel offered exactly what we needed. We checked in, unloaded the luggage and finally allowed ourselves to relax.
Tomorrow would bring a very different form of transport.
We would travel to Falkirk, collect our narrowboat and begin exploring the remarkable waterways linking Glasgow and Edinburgh. The road journey would give way to locks, aqueducts and canal cruising—with the Falkirk Wheel waiting near the beginning of our route.
The adventure before the adventure
Our drive from London to Glasgow could have been treated simply as the practical journey required to reach the boat.
Instead, good company, Jeff’s music, dramatic scenery and a rain-soaked encounter with Hadrian’s Wall made it a memorable part of the holiday.
The day carried us from our former home at the Royal Arsenal to the edge of Scotland’s canal network, passing one of Britain’s most extraordinary ancient landmarks along the way.
By bedtime, we were tired but excited. The bags were packed, the journey north was complete and our Scottish waterways adventure was about to begin.
Next stop: Falkirk.