Description

The monument comprises that stretch of inland waterway, 13 miles (20km) long, forming part of the Union Canal falling within the bounds of the former county of West Lothian. The monument runs from the west end of the Lin's Mill Aqueduct over the River Almond (on the east) to the east end of the aqueduct over the River Avon (on the west).

The monument includes the entire length of canal in water together with the banks on either side, the towing path running along one side, all overflows, distance markers and kicking stones. In addition, the monument includes the following canal structures:

[1] Bridges 19 - 22;

[2] Bridge 23, including stable on its NE side;

[3] Aqueduct over the Caw Burn;

[4] Bridge 24;

[5] Aqueduct over the Beugh Burn;

[6] Bridge 25;

[7] Aqueduct over the Brox Burn;

[8] Wharf at Port Buchan, Broxburn;

[9] Bridges 28 - 30;

[10] Aqueduct over the Niddry Burn;

[11] Bridges 31 - 32;

[12] Aqueduct S of Bridge 33;

[13] Bridge 33;

[14] Aqueduct over the Swine Burn;

[15] Bridges 34 - 39;

[16] Aqueduct over the Pardovan Burn;

[17] Aqueduct at Philpstoun;

[18] Bridge 40 - 42;

[19] Aqueduct over B9080;

[20] Aqueduct at Staney Road, Linlithgow;

[21] Bridge 43 and adjacent stables;

[22] Bridge 44;

[23] Bridge 46;

[24] Aqueduct over the Mains Burn;

[25] Aqueduct at Kettlestoun Quarry;

[26] Bridge 47;

[27] Aqueduct over the Cauld Burn;

[28] Bridge 48.

The monument excludes all modern fences, walls and landing stages, as well as the following structures:

[1] Railway Bridge S of the M8;

[2] Culvert under the M8;

[3] British waterways office and yard beside Bridge 23;

[4] Road Bridge (A89);

[5] Road Bridge (A899);

[6] New road bridge (Bridge 27A) at Greendykes Road (B8020);

[7] Footbridge, E of Winchburgh Cottage;

[8] Footbridge, S of Bridge 32;

[9] Road Bridge (Bridge 45) at Preston Road, Linlithgow;

[10] Pipes W of Mains Burn Aqueduct;

[11] Stables near Woodcockdale Farm.

The area to be scheduled varies in width from 25m to 50m, as marked in red on the accompanying map extract.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance because, as an integral part of the Union Canal, it represents a superlative achievement of Georgian civil engineering. Designed by the noted Scots engineer, Hugh Baird, and built 1818-23, its continuous watercourse, over 31 miles long, was without need of a single lock, and was graced by three major aqueducts inspired by another great Scots civil engineer, Thomas Telford.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

RCAHMS records this monument as NS87NE 62.

References:

Lindsay J (1968) THE CANALS OF SCOTLAND, Newton Abbot.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland