Transport Correspondent Alastair Dalton takes a look inside The Falkirk Wheel

he Falkirk Wheel is undergoing the biggest upgrade since it was opened in 2002.

The £2.7 million project involves shutting the world's only rotating boat lift for 17 weeks compared to its normal six-week winter maintenance closure.

All the internal operating systems are being modernised such as hydraulics, control panels, sensors, cables, hoses and seals.

This will enable equipment to be switched off when the Wheel is not turning - producing significant power savings.

The Wheel is due to re-open in late March 2024 with public tours inside the structure planned for later in the year.

More than 3,500 boats a year use the Wheel to travel between the Union and Forth & Clyde canals.

It lifts boats the 35m (115m) height difference between the canals and replaced 11 locks that took all day to pass through.

Trip boats also offer hour-long trips on the Wheel.

The Wheel attracts around 500,000 visitors a year with more than 6.5 million visitors in total since it was opened by Queen Elizabeth.

The visitor centre beside the Wheel basin remains open during the refurbishment.