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‘Rowing Boat Launch’ event

To mark the start of the 2024 Rowing Boat Season, the Edinburgh Union Canal Society (EUCS) will be hosting a ‘launch event’ on Sunday 14th April. If you’re interested in booking a boat, then details are now on our website here.

Raffle update
Canal cruise on ‘All Aboard’ thanks to People Know How. Won by Green 47

Rowing Boat hire on a Sunday. Won by Orange 53

Hand-quilted playmat. Won by Orange 102

Birchwood Art Studio on Ashley Terrace. Won by Orange 99

Pollination florists on Ashley Terrace. Won by Orange 203 Green 11

Kem & Co coffee shop on Ashley Terrace. Won by Orange 136

Heavenly Scran at Cloisters Bar on Brougham Street. Won by Orange 28

Molton & Brown mini gift box. Won by Orange 203

Bottle of whisky. Won by Green 23
Ferrero Rocher chocolates. Won by Orange 29
both donated by Tesco Express on Colinton Road

Bottle of wine. Won by Orange 72

2nd bottle of wine. Won by Orange 123

* a recent version of the raffle draw was advertised in the wrong order. All winners should have been contacted and informed of their prize by one of our committee. Apologies if this has caused any confusion.

On the day, EUCS will also have “Information Tents/Stalls/Tea/Coffee/Cake & a Raffle (with great prizes!)“; all on the towpath, opposite the Ashley Terrace Boathouse; and additionally, we’ll also be hiring out our three rowing-boats – we have refurbished a third boat for this year! And our friends at the ‘Fountainbridge Canalside Community Trust’ will also be hiring out their electric boat – Kingfisher … so; FOUR BOATS to choose from 🙂

Some further details, including some requests for help, follow below:

  • We’ll be operational, opposite the Ashley Terrace Boathouse, between 12noon and 5pm … so please do come along on the day, if you can – as you’ll be able to find out more about our ongoing work and also sample some marvelous homemade cakes! Additionally, we’ll be holding a raffle with great prizes on offer, all helping to raise further funds for the Society!

Volunteers (and any home-baking) are also needed across the day – and any help between 10.30am through to 5.30pm on Sunday 14th April; even if for half-an-hour, would be great:

so; for Sunday 14th April 2024

  • 10.30am onwards; we’ll be on-site (opposite the Boathouse), setting up the tent/s – CAN YOU HELP, even if for half-an-hour? … we have new (easier to erect) gazebos, but any help would still be much appreciated!
  • 12noon; the stalls (within the tent/s) will be open – there will be information about EUCS; and a fundraising raffle will be taking place!
  • we’ll also be selling (very cheaply!) tea/coffee/cakes etc. – & COULD YOU HELP by providing any home-baking, even a small amount would assist (either bring it on the Sunday and/or pop it into 32 Cowan Road on the day before; Saturday 13th April)
  • and as mentioned, three newly refurbished rowing-boats (and an electric boat) will also be ‘for hire’ at 12noon, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm & 4pm; so we’ll need some helpers to Staff that process – all relevant instructions will be provided!
  • and at around 4.30pm on the Sunday we’ll be packing-up and taking down the tent/s etc.: again, any assistance with these tasks would be very welcome … it really is a great help just having one or two extra pairs of hands when getting the tents down 🙂

IMPORTANTLY – we’ll also be bagging-up all the homemade cakes from 6.30pm the night before, on Saturday 13th April 2024, at 32 Cowan Road … again, any help with this task would be much appreciated … please do just call round 🙂

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Canal Social

Tuesday 12th March 2024, 7.00-9.00 pm; at the Merchiston Tennis & Bowling Club

A chance to meet up with some of the organisations from along the canal and everyone else who does such a variety of great work along the canal in Edinburgh (and further).

Come along to find out about
– Volunteering opportunities, like helping out with our rowing boats
– The latest news from EUCS and other organisations

The bar will be open serving drinks 🍻 🍷 ☕. Show your interest on our facebook event

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Flotilla of Light, 2023

Canal view by Ashley Terrace Boathouse, Flotilla of Light – photo by Gina

Happily, the weather was kind to the crowds who lined the edge of Edinburgh’s Union Canal by Ashley Terrace to watch the 2023 Ronnie Rusack Flotilla of Light on the evening of Saturday, 4th November. 

Our stall opened at 4pm selling a variety of hot and cold non-alcoholic drinks, a selection of homemade cakes, and an autumn favourite, toffee apples, carefully prepared by committee member, Guy, using local fruit. 

As the skies darkened, we soon found ourselves super-busy, selling out of mulled wine, toffee apples and home baking shortly before the flotilla passed by our stall around 6.30pm.

The boats were beacons of colourful light, brightening up the November evening as they made their way down to Lochrin Basin, with many of those onboard gamely providing live music and hurling sweets from their vessels onto the shore for onlookers to catch. 

Our much-loved boathouse was lit up in white lights, providing a cheerful backdrop to the flotilla’s procession. 

Flotilla of Light and EUCS Boathouse – photo by Gina

We thoroughly enjoyed being part of the event and are delighted to report we raised £547 which will be added to EUCS funds, contributing to our plans to develop the boathouse. Huge thanks to everyone who supported us. We look forward to seeing you again soon!