Hike Forth & Clyde Canal, West of Scotland

Introduction
 
This afternoon, I am reporting on a five mile hike along the Forth & Clyde Canal.This route followed the Canal from Clydebank to Maryhill, Glasgow. 
 
Busker at Clydebank 
 

Background information on the canal
  • The Forth & Clyde Canal was completed in 1790, linking the east and west coasts of Scotland between Grangemouth and Bowling covering a distance of 35 miles.This was during the early industrial period when roads were poor and railways had yet to dominate the transport scene.
  • For part of it’s route, the canal follows the line of the 2nd century AD Antonine Wall built by the Romans.
  • Along the canal are 39 locks and the 123m long, Kelvin Aqueduct.
  • The canal originally served the iron, chemical, timber, boat building and coal industries.
  • The canal was closed to navigation in 1963 but re-opened in 2001. It is now principally a leisure resource.

Kelvin Aqueduct 


 

Sights and Sites

Along the way I was fortunate to encounter: The Maryhill Lock Basin, River Kelvin, watery reflections, a houseboat, tufted ducks,a couple friendly locals, an angler, numerous locks, a couple of friendly bulldogs, a swan, floating restaurant and a busker. Overall, an excellent trip.

 Floating restaurant at Clydebank
 

 Kilpatrick Hills in distance were formed 340m years ago from basaltic lava flows 
 

 Canal

 Swan

Friendly bulldogs
 

 Locks (not lochs)
 

 Canal
 
 
Angler
 

 Friendly locals
 

 Tufted Ducks
 

Occupied Houseboat
 

 Watery reflections
 

 River Kelvin
 


Maryhill Lock Basin, 156 feet above sea level
 

More information

For more information on Glasgow and Scotland in general please refer Visitors’ Guide to Scotland, ISBN 978-1-9161332-0-4. This book is also available via Kindle.


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