ONE of the country's most popular tourist attractions is to close for most of next month for maintenance.
The Falkirk Wheel will be closed to visitors from November 3 to 28 to allow engineering staff to carry out an extensive programme of maintenance and improvements on the unique boat lift.
Steven Berry, principal mechanical and electrical engineer at Scottish Canals, said: "The Falkirk Wheel is an incredible and unique feat of engineering as well as one of Scotland's top tourism attractions and we're working hard to ensure it's in tip-top condition to welcome another 500,000 visitors next year.
"As the world's only rotating boat lift, many of the parts that make up the Falkirk Wheel are custom-built and maintaining it isn't always straightforward - there's certainly a lot more to it than an oil change. "
The works will see the Wheel drained of water so the teams can inspect, lubricate, repair and, if needed, replace each of its thousands of mechanical parts.
The Visitor Centre, café and gift shop remain open Wednesday to Sunday between 11am and 4pm throughout the works.
The Falkirk Wheel, which links the Forth & Clyde Canal to the Union Canal, has attracted more than 5.5 million visitors since opening in 2002.
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