EVENT - Canal Boat Trips
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Lambhill Stables, 11 Canal Bank North, G22 6RD
An opportunity to see what the countryside looks like from the canal. Our guide will tell you about the wildlife on its banks and recount its history from the Roman stonework used in building it to the present day.
The Great Canal, as the Forth and Clyde was first known, was begun in 1768 at Grangemouth and reached Stockingfield, with a cut to Hamiltonhill, in Glasgow in 1775. Funds dried up until 1784; work resumed, reaching Bowling in 1790. It more or less followed the line of the Antonine wall, both the Roman and the Georgian engineers seeing the logistical advantages of the terrain, and took almost the same time (c22 years) to build. It gave seagoing boats a short cut from the North Sea to the Clyde estuary and Initially it also had passenger traffic; from 1809 "swift boats" offered a faster and more comfortable journey than stagecoaches. However they couldn't compete when the railways appeared. Thereafter barges carried all manner of goods but especially the coal and ironstone produced by the many mines in the area. In the 20th century, the seagoing vessels became too big to pass through and better road and rail transport overcame the canal It closed in 1963 with some sections filled in and turned to other purposes. It was brought to life again by the Millenium project in 2000, which saw a number of projects, notably the Falkirk Wheel, which allowed it to function as a waterway again. Now it is a source of recreation. The towpath invites walkers and cyclists to explore, fishermen pit their wits against roach, carp, tench and pike, and leisure craft, small boats and kayaks take to the water. All the canal users can enjoy a green lung in the city with wild nature including water lilies, pondweed, reeds and ferns which support swans, herons, ducks, mink and otters. |
Sat 21st, 10am-3:30pm; 45 mins
Booking not required. Accessibility: Not Accessible as participants have to step from jetty into the boat.
Facilities: Seating Parking: Yes, Free on-street parking available nearby if car park full Nearest train/subway: Possilpark & Parkhouse Train Station. |