Description

The monument comprises that length of waterway forming part of the Forth and Clyde Canal falling within the boundary of the civil parish of Kirkintilloch and the boundary of Strathkelvin District.

The length of the monument is approximately 5 miles (8 km) and runs from Westermains, Kirkintilloch (on the west) to a point just west of Auchinstarry Farm (on the east). The monument includes the entire length of canal in water together with the banks on either side and the towing path running along one side. In addition, the monument includes the following canal structures:

[1] The Lenzie Feeder;

[2] The Luggie Water Aqueduct;

[3] The Auchendavie Pend Aqueduct;

[4] The Tintoch Aqueduct;

[5] The Shirva Stables;

[6] The Shirva Canal Feeder;

[7] The Shirva Aqueduct;

The monument does not include the modern boat shed (Seagull Trust), the Townhead pipes or the Hillhead Bridge, all in Kirkintilloch, nor the Twechar Road Bridge nor any (modern) fences and walls, but does include an area to either side of the area in water in which traces of activities associated with its construction and use may survive, as marked in red on the accompanying map.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance because, as an integral part of the Forth and Clyde Canal, it is a superlative example of Georgian civil engineering. It was the first of Scotland's great inland waterways to be constructed (between 1768 and 1790) and even at the time of its opening in the 1770s it was christened 'The Great Canal', a recognition of its undoubted national importance even then. The particular stretch of canal covered by this scheduling was part of the original scheme. The engineer was John Smeaton.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

References:

Hume, J. (1976) The Industrial Archaeology of Scotland: The Lowlands and Borders.

Lindsay, J. (1968) The Canals of Scotland.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland