Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
48
Forth & Clyde Canal
Distance
55km from the River Clyde to the River Carron
Highlights
Erskine Bridge and Titan Hammerhead Crane
Kelvin Aqueduct
Antonine Wall and forts
The Helix and the Kelpies
Navigation Authority
Scottish Canals
Canal Society
Forth & Clyde Canal Society
OS 1:50,000 Sheets
64 Glasgow
65 Falkirk & Linlithgow
Plans for a canal (originally known as the Great Canal by Smeaton, hoping to upstage the
Languedoc Canal) to link the Forth and Clyde estuaries were considered as early as the reign
of Charles II. It was eventually to be built from Grangemouth to Kirkintilloch in 1768-1773
and extended to Bowling and Port Dundas in 1786-1790. It was the world's first sea-to-sea
route, allowing ships to avoid the north coast. The first major transport project in Scotland, it
was finished with money confiscated from Jacobite estates after the failed 1745 rebellion. The
line followed a possible former drainage path from the Holy Loch to the River Forth. It was
designed for high-mast ships, no fixed bridges being used. The navvies were local men to ease
unemployment. Many Roman artefacts were dug up.
The canal carried the
Vulcan
, Scotland's first iron boat, which was used for passenger trans-
port from 1818. It was the birthplace of the Clyde Puffers and also had the first vehicle fer-
ries, carrying loaded carts and railway wagons. A connection to Stirling was proposed in 1835
