The Edinburgh and Glasgow Union Canal is a 31 mile contour canal (i.e no locks) that runs from Edinburgh to the outskirts of Falkirk where it joins the Forth and Clyde Canal (lots of locks) at the amazing Falkirk Wheel. There is a visitor's centre at the Wheel from where you can go on the wheel or you can hire a boat at Linlithgow Canal basin. On nice days, the dappled beauty of the sun shining through the overhanging trees that border the canal, combined with the Avon Aqueduct makes for a thoroughly enjoyable time. Boats can also be hired from the Bridge Inn at Ratho outside Edinburgh.
The term simply implies that the establishment has a bar, usually open to non-residents as well. In remote locations especially there are plenty of Inns and Public Houses that have rooms available. Indeed they may be the only options for food and drink for miles around and can have very nice accommodation available. The only down-side to staying in an Inn or Pub is that you may not have complete quiet until after midnight and the bar has closed. Learn more about accommodation types