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the falkirk wheel

Inaugural Edinburgh Canal Festival proves a roaring success

20 July 2009

The Rt Hon Alistair Darling MP officially opened the inaugural Edinburgh Canal Festival held at Edinburgh Quay on Saturday 27 June.

Co-ordinated by social enterprise Re-Union Canal Boats and supported by British Waterways Scotland and the City of Edinburgh Council, the capital’s first canal festival had a vibrant programme of shore-side and waterborne activity and was well received by the local community and visitors.

Evolving from the Edinburgh Raft Race, which ran in 2007 and 2008, the new Edinburgh Canal Festival was a lively community-focused event, bringing together canal enthusiasts, boat builders, canal societies, community councils, local musicians and crafts people, traders and community groups to enjoy the capital’s vibrant new canal quarter at Fountainbridge.

Mr. Darling said: "It is great to see so many local people here enjoying the first Edinburgh Canal Festival at Edinburgh Quay, a thriving new waterside development which has transformed a site which less than ten years ago was run down and unattractive. I hope to see the Edinburgh Canal Festival go from strength to strength."

Speaking on behalf of the City of Edinburgh Council, councillor Tim McKay said: "Aside from providing a stunning backdrop for today's launch, Edinburgh Quay is representative of the council's efforts to work with its partners and the local community to regenerate areas outwith the city centre, and to create vibrant local environments. Through events like the Canal Festival, we hope to encourage Edinburgh residents to rediscover the beauty of the Union Canal - whether that be through sailing, walking, cycling or enjoying the natural beauty along the canal side."

Entertainment during the day long festival included free boat trips from Viewforth Bridge, street performance, a craft market, community stalls, a ‘wee boat flotilla’, ‘My Canal’ - a 14 panel mural by local school children and community groups sponsored by Tollcross Traders Association, an art exhibition by local artists sponsored by Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce and inspired by the Union Canal, a salsa exhibition, and storytelling.

Visitors also got the chance to enjoy canal dipping at the Re-Union Canal Boat, a ‘Feet First’ walk starting at Leamington Bridge held by The Waterways Trust Scotland, and wine tasting sessions by Case Studies Wine School on the Millennium Link canal boat. Samba, jazz, ceilidh, drums and pipe music added to the festival atmosphere.

Edinburgh Canal Festival was also supported by Fountain Court Apartments, Lambert Smith Hampton and Cushman & Wakefield LLP, and was organised by a committee made up from members of the local community.

Ends