Canal Museum (Linlithgow)
Volunteer-run canal museum in a former stable at Linlithgow Canal Basin, with a tearoom and boat trips on the Union Canal.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Canal Museum is part of the Linlithgow Canal Centre at Manse Road Basin and is run by the volunteers of the Linlithgow Union Canal Society, which was formed in 1975 when the basin’s buildings were derelict and the canal was blocked. The museum opened in 1977 in a former canal stable and describes itself as the only canal museum in Scotland.
It shows old photographs and documents about the origin, decline and renaissance of the Edinburgh and Glasgow Union Canal, together with boat models, original tools and equipment and objects from the canal’s working life. Information on the natural history of the towpath changes with the seasons. The canal centre grew step by step, adding a tearoom in 1991 and the Mel Gray Education Centre in 2008, and the society runs passenger boat trips from the basin. A digital archive of historic canal photographs is available online.
Highlights
- Only canal museum in Scotland, in a former canal stable
- Photographs and documents on the Union Canal’s history
- Boat models, tools and objects from canal working life
- Tearoom and boat trips at the canal basin
- Online digital archive of historic canal photographs
Permanent exhibition
- Canal Museum – Photographs, documents, boat models, tools and equipment about the history of the Edinburgh and Glasgow Union Canal, plus seasonal natural history information.
- Founded
- 1977
- Operated by
- Linlithgow Union Canal Society
Admission & discounts
| Town boat trip (about 25 minutes), adult | £6Concession £5, child (5–16) £4, family ticket £18 (2 adults and up to 3 children); 2026 prices |
|---|---|
| Aqueduct cruise (about 2.5 hours), adult | £15Concession £12, child £8; advance booking recommended; 2026 prices |
The official website does not state an admission price for the museum. Boat trips are charged separately; under-fives and registered carers travel free on boat trips.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The museum, tearoom and classroom are wheelchair accessible, and the toilets are wheelchair accessible. Wheelchairs cannot be taken on the boats and the steep steps can be difficult for some visitors; crew help where they safely can but access is not guaranteed. The society recommends the Seagull Trust boats for passengers who use wheelchairs. Reserved spaces are available for Blue Badge holders.
Kids & families
A family ticket is available for the town boat trip. The Aqueduct cruise boats have a toilet and basic refreshments.
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
Parking at the Canal Centre is very limited, with two disabled bays. At weekends and during school holidays there is often space on nearby Royal Terrace, Canal Terrace and Manse Road.
- Accessible parking
The centre is at the canal basin on Manse Road.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
A tearoom serves fresh baking with tea or coffee. Toilets are available at the centre.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Good to know | The museum also has a digital archive online. Dogs are not allowed on the boats; registered guide dogs and other assistance animals may be allowed if arranged in advance. |
|---|
