Sponsored 20K Walk

On Sunday 24th April, 470 (Falkirk) Squadron took part in a sponsored walk, following a 20 km circular route taking in two of the most iconic locations of the town.

Starting from the squadron HQ in Bellsmeadow, staff and cadets headed towards The Helix and the world-famous Kelpies. The Kelpies are 30-meter-high horse-head sculptures depicting the mythical Kelpie. The Kelpies represent the lineage of the heavy horse in Scottish industry and economy, pulling the wagons, ploughs, barges and coal ships that helped shape Falkirk into the town we see today. After a quick rest/comfort stop and we were off again, along the Forth and Clyde canal to The Falkirk Wheel for lunch. The Falkirk Wheel is the world’s only rotating boat lift and one of Scotland’s most exciting examples of 21st-century engineering. We are so proud of The Falkirk Wheel that it takes pride of place on the squadron crest! After lunch, we climbed to the top of The Falkirk Wheel onto the Union canal. We made our way through the new tunnel and followed the quiet canal to the start of The Falkirk Tunnel. The Falkirk Tunnel was created nearly 200 years ago and was originally used for transporting coal, it is 630 meters long, 18ft-wide, and 19ft-high. Just before the tunnel, we left the canals behind for the day and made our way back through Callendar Park, a publicly owned recreation park, covering over 170 acres and housing the magnificent Callendar House. From here it was just a quick walk back to Bellsmeadow and the Squadron HQ. A very good but tiring day with the spring heat taking a lot out of the cadets and staff.

A public thank you to Fg Off Michael Wilson of 867 Denny Squadron – RAF Air Cadets and FS Russell McLean of 1777 Dumbarton Squadron ATC for their assistance on the day.