A popular tourist destination has been slammed by reviewers, with a visitor calling it “one of the worst experiences of (their) life”.
Falkirk Wheel, connecting the Forth & Clyde Canal with the Union Canal, claims to be the world’s one and only rotating boat lift.
Located between Edinburgh and Glasgow, the attraction lifts boats across the 115ft drop between canals and welcomes 500,000 visitors a year.
But not all of those visitors have been impressed by the wheel’s feat of engineering. Just under 200 people gave the attraction a one or two-star rating on Tripadvisor.
Most of the disappointment centres around the 60-minute boat trip that takes you on a circuit with an ascent and descent on the wheel. Tickets for adults are £12.50 and £8 for children.
Rating the site one-star, one person said: “I looked forward to it because of the ‘world’s only’ statement. It was the biggest disappointment. There was nothing to it.
“The boat went up and down in a little tunnel. The seats were crammed and we couldn’t see anything. And that was it, for £15 – a waste of money.”
Another visitor who gave the attraction just one star said: “I can honestly say it was one of the worst experiences of my life. It was terrible.
“I paid £15 to sit in an overcrowded boat that goes 3 miles per hour with no views other than railings and interior bridge walls.”
Falkirk Wheel was also described as “very boring” with one review saying “if you enjoy disappointment it’s the place to go”.
But despite these bad reviews many visitors enjoy their trips to the site, with over 3,000 excellent reviews on tripadvisor calling it “a fantastic piece of engineering” with incredible views and lots to do.
Lots of reviewers said it was a great day out for all ages with friendly and knowledgeable staff.
In addition to the boat ride, visitors to the site can also hire canoes, bikes, e-boats, paddleboards and more with other free activities like hiking routes and a kids activity zone.
Falkirk Wheel is open from 11am to 3.30pm from November to March, 10am to 5.30pm from September to October and March to June, and until 6pm from June to September.