History

The Canal

The idea of a making a canal across central Scotland had been put forward as early as the reign of Charles II but nothing serious was done until the middle of the 18th century. The Forth and Clyde Canal - The Great Canal, as it was called in its early days was the result of a compromise between Edinburgh promoters, who wanted a canal "big enough to take seagoing coastal vessels", and Glasgow merchants, who wanted a smaller, cheaper canal. In fact the Glasgow merchants feared they would lose trade if the canal by passed Glasgow and so when a branch to Glasgow was added agreement was reached and the "large" canal was started on 10th June 1768. The canal was built from east to west, and the whole construction took 22 years, including a 7 year break in which no work was carried out due to lack of funds.

The canal goes from the Forth at Grangemouth to Bowling on the Clyde, with a short branch to Port Dundas in Glasgow. It prospered for about 100 years until railways and then roads forced its decline, and closure in 1963.

cadder

Fairy queen

The worlds first practical steamboat, the Charlotte Dundas, sailed on it as did Scotland's first iron vessel the Vulcan. The canal gave birth to the puffers of Vital Spark fame and played host to a delightful fleet of pleasure steamers, Fairy, May and Gipsy Queens.

When it closed the canal was seen as a dirty, decaying relic of an industrial past. It sank into dereliction as parts of it were filled in; but it survived and now it has a new face. It is a green corridor linking town and country. Bright flowers and trees adorn the verges and wildlife abounds. It is one of central Scotland's prime environmental and leisure resources.

lillys

The Society

The Forth and Clyde Canal Society was formed in 1980 to campaign for the canal's restoration. We raised public awareness with boat trips, meetings and talks while lobbying and badgering those in authority. Gradually the canal began to change. Lock gates were replaced, environmental improvements carried out and towpaths resurfaced. Old canalside buildings became houses, pubs or restaurants. More boats appeared on the water and more walkers, cyclists and fishing folk used the towpath. This encouraged British Waterways to bid for money from the National Lottery's Millennium Commission to complete the restoration. The bid's success means that the society's founding aim has been achieved.

Now we have another aim; to promote the canal, to ensure its success. We also use it. We still run boats, go for walks, hold meetings and give talks. And we still keep an eye on what the authorities are doing. We care about the canal and want you to care too - please join us.