Edinburgh Canal Raft Race Returns - packed with canal boat trips & family fun
Saturday 23 August 2025 | 12:00 -5:00PM | Union Canal, Fountainbridge Green and near Leamington Lift Bridge
Edinburgh’s much-loved Canal Raft Race is back with a splash this summer and it’s bringing even more family-friendly fun, live entertainment, and £5 canal boat cruises for all to enjoy!
The 2025 Raft Race takes place on Saturday 23 August, transforming the Union Canal into a hub of creativity, community, and adventure on the water. Organised by Fountainbridge Canalside Community Trust (FCCT), who also run the community doors open Edinburgh Canal Festival in June every year, the Raft Race is this year a standalone event.
New this year are 45-minute wide-beam canal boat cruises aboard the Lochrin Belle and the Sorted Project’s canal boat Panacea, offering an affordable and relaxing way to enjoy the canal from the water - just £5 per person. Pre-booking is recommended to secure a spot. Big thanks to CEC’s Edinburgh 900 funding for subsidising these trips.
HOW TO BOOK THE BOAT TRIPS!
Visit fcct.scot/welcome
Activities and races will run from 12pm to 5pm:
- 12-3pm “get on the water” hires with Driftwood Adventure in the Lochrin Basin (££ - no booking required)
- 3-5pm Raft Race - Spectators are encouraged to line the scenic towpath between Leamington Lift Bridge and Lochrin Basin to cheer on the homemade rafts as they race along the canal
- 12-5pm canal boat trips from Fountainbridge Green
- 12-5pm FCCT’s Greenspace group activities and Outta Space Pizza at Fountainbridge Green.
🎶 The event will feature a lively soundtrack throughout the afternoon, with live DJ sets 12-3pm and a special musical performance by Andy Chung from 3-5pm, bringing his signature mix of songs and banter to the water’s edge.
🌿 On land, the FCCT’s Canalside Greenspace Group will host free nature-based activities at Fountainbridge Green, right next to the barge departure point - perfect for families with children.
🍕 Food lovers can enjoy local café offerings, plus wood-fired pizzas from Outta Space Pizza, who will be serving up fresh slices at Fountainbridge Green all afternoon.
Join Us at the Canal!
We hope to see you there for a fantastic day by (and on!) the water.
For more information, full event schedule, or to book a boat trip, visit:🔗 www.fcct.scot/welcome
