The Millennium Link Opens 2000
The Union Canal had been cut just west of Bridge 21 by the building of the M8 motorway. As part of the millennium project to reopen the canal to through traffic the canal was tunnelled under the motorway. To achieve this , a new 200 metre section of canal ha d to be dug west from Bridge 21 to a point where the M8 had risen to a high enough point to be tunnelled under.
Aerial view of the M8 cutting the canal pre-tunnel
Campaigning to reopen trhe canal at the M8
The Linlithgow Union Canal Society issued the above invitation to Ronnie Rusack's resaurant barge "Pride of the Union", based at Ratho, to meet at the new tunnel.
A flotilla leaves Ratho.
Crossing the Almond Aqueduct.
Entering the new M8 tunnel.
Fire eaters great the flotilla.
Ronnie Rusack triumphantly greets the awaiting crowd.
The Drambuie pipe band greats the flotilla.
Melville Gray of the Linlithgow Canal Society on their boat "Victoria" greats Ronnie Rusack on "Pride of the Union"
A split "M Key" was reunited to mark the event. The key is in the Linlithgow Society museum.
The flotilla join up and proceed to Broxburn for an awaiting crowd.
The flotillas head east and pass through the Bridge 21 basin
Pride of the Union is piped across the Almond Aqueduct.
The flotilla returns to Ratho and awaiting crowds.
The Millenium Key
The key was made from a piece of wood from an original lock gate from the Forth and Clyde. The whole piece was a round and cut by the late Robert Mcleod a supervisor on the canal.
Ronnie Rusack's half of the Millennium Key.
Stewart Liddle of the LUCS and Ronnie Rusack reunite the two halves of the Millenium Key at Linlithgow
They were mounted in lovely presentation boxes.
Plaque on Ronnie Rusack's half of the "Key".
The Trial Run
Prior to the official opening of the Millenium Link, Ronnie Rusack did a trial run with restaurant barge "Pride of Belhaven".
A photo of earlier work at the new M8 tunnel.
The new section of canal is dredged.
Belhaven successfully navigates the new tunnel 12 April 2000 - first boat through!
Belhaven approaches the new Bridge 27 at Broxburn.
Melville Gray awaits at the bridge entrance.
Shopping Trolleys have to be taken out at Bridge 27
Belhaven gets through!
Belhaven arrives at the Linlithgow Union Canal Society base.
Belhaven crew and LUCS meet.
Ronnie Rusack and Melville Gray shake hands.
Belhaven got stuck on the dams holding the water back on the way to Linlithgow and was helped by the diggers!
The photos where taken by the late Ronnie Day of Ratho.