<h1>All Aboard</h1>
Christmas lights illustration
It's the Big Give Christmas Challenge and we're fundraising for All Aboard from 28 November to 5 December, with all donations doubled at no extra cost! Follow our journey along the Union Canal, as we unwrap our favourite memories on All Aboard from 2023.
Donate now

All Aboard

What is All Aboard?

All Aboard is a canal boat originally run by People Know How in collaboration with Polwarth Parish Church. The boat hosted unique trips on Edinburgh's Union Canal for community groups and organisations to improve wellbeing, socialise and discover new experiences while surrounded by nature in the heart of the city. Through All Aboard we also offered unique volunteering opportunities to join our crew or become a helmsperson on the boat.

Our partnership began in 2019 with a consultation and pilot that identified the Union Canal as the community’s collective cultural heritage. In 2021, we purchased and launched our own custom-built canal boat and opened it as a space available to communities in and around Edinburgh.

Our work was been commended by the parliamentarians as "inspiring", in an article featured by the Church of Scotland. We have also been featured by Allchurches Trust and made appearances on BBC Radio Scotland, STV News and BBC Songs of Praise.

The boat continues to be moored at Polwarth Pontoon. Please visit Polwarth Parish Church's website for up to date informtion.

The All Aboard canal boat at its mooring on the Union Canal
Read our All Aboard leaflet

“It’s so relaxing, you’d never think we’re a few minutes from the centre of town.”

“All Aboard has been amazing in providing us with a new and interesting way for us to work with people with long-term health conditions. The pace of life whilst aboard the boat offers a wonderful perspective on the world which is both calming and restorative. There have been many highlights working with All Aboard; from our Polish group dancing to traditional Scottish music to our men’s health group enjoying a hot brew and a blether.” – Health All Round

“I love learning something new every time I come on the boat, whether it’s about the boat, about the canal or about the passengers.” – All Aboard Volunteer

All Aboard trips

All Aboard trips began at the Polwarth Pontoon behind Polwarth Parish Church at 36-38 Polwarth Terrace. The boat then turned at the Slateford Aqueduct and the Lochrin Quay. Trips typically took 2 hours.

Read our stories

Aug 2024

Digital support on the canal

Featured image for “Digital support on the canal”
Jul 2024

All hands on deck

Featured image for “All hands on deck”
Jan 2024

1,000 hours on the canal

Featured image for “1,000 hours on the canal”
Oct 2023

Canal clean up

Featured image for “Canal clean up”
A group of people queuing on the pontoon to get onto the All Aboard canal boat
Two people smiling to camera in front of All Aboard, with Ukrainian flags painted on their faces
A young person wearing the Lord Provost's chain on the All Aboard canal boat
An All Aboard volunteer holding a rope on the pontoon
Three musicians playing instruments on the All Aboard canal boat
The All Aboard canal boat being craned into the Union Canal
Four singers sitting beside one another on the All Aboard canal boat
A person trimming hedges along the canal from the All Aboard canal boat
    Image

    Our partners and funders

    Polwarth Parish Church
    Go For It
    The City of Edinburgh Council
    Image
    Foundation Scotland