Description

The monument comprises a length of inland waterway forming that part of the Forth and Clyde Canal known as the Glasgow Branch.

It is 3 miles (5 km) long and runs from Stockingfield (at the north end) to Speir's Wharf (at the south end). The monument includes the entire length in water together with the banks on either side and the towing path running along the west side. In addition, the monument includes the following canal structures:

[1] The Ruchill Railway Tunnel Aqueduct carrying a (now disused) railway line under the canal;

[2] An overflow for water at Ruchill, with 3 arches and a centrally-placed sluice gate and a paved culvert leading to the main sewer at the north west;

[3] The Bilsland Drive Aqueduct;

[4] The two basins at Firhill, one in water on the west

side and one now infilled on the east side;

[5] The basin (in water) on the east side just south of Firhill and formerly leading to a clay pit;

[6] The basin at Applecross Street, formerly the original terminus known as Hamiltonhill Basin;

[7] The bascule (lifting) bridge at Applecross Street;

[8] The Possil Road Aqueducts;

The monument does not include the two existing (modern) over-bridges at Ruchill Street and Firhill Street, or 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. The canal was the first of Scotland's great inland waterways to be constructed (between 1768 and 1791) and at the time was known as the 'The Great Canal' ' a recognition of its national importance even then. The Glasgow Branch is an important element in the canal's overall design and is associated with two very notable civil engineers ' John Smeaton, who was responsible for the original section from Stockingfield Junction to Hamiltonhill Basin, and Robert Whitworth, who completed the branch to Port Dundas.

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