View source for Forth and Clyde Canal Pathway

{{Short description|Canal walkway}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=April 2017}}

{{Infobox hiking trail
 |name=Forth and Clyde Canal Pathway
 |photo=Forth and Clyde canal pathway.jpg
 |caption=Along the canal pathway
 |location=[[Scotland]]
 |designation=[[Scotland's Great Trails]]
 |length_km=106
 |trailheads=[[Bowling, West Dunbartonshire|Bowling]], west of [[Glasgow]]{{coord|55.930|-4.480|display=inline}}<br>
[[Lochrin]], [[Edinburgh]]{{coord|55.943|-3.208|display=inline}}
 |use=[[Hiking]], [[cycling]]
 |elev_gain_and_loss = {{convert|158|m|ft|abbr=on}} gain<ref name=sgt/>
 |highest=
 |lowest=
 |difficulty=
 |season=
 |sights=
 |hazards=
 |website=https://www.scottishcanals.co.uk/activities/walking-running/forth-clyde-and-union-canals/
}}

The '''Forth and Clyde canal pathway''' runs between the [[Firth of Forth]] and the [[Firth of Clyde]] and is a {{convert|106|km|mi|adj=mid|-long}} footpath and cycleway that runs across [[Scotland]], between Bowling, west of [[Glasgow]], and [[Lochrin]] Basin (Edinburgh Quay) in [[Edinburgh]]. The path runs on the [[towpath]]s of the [[Forth and Clyde Canal|Forth & Clyde]] and [[Union Canal (Scotland)|Union Canal]]s and is entirely off-road.<ref name=sustrans/> The path is well maintained and its surface is generally good, although there are some stretches particularly between Falkirk and the outskirts of Edinburgh where wet weather leads to muddy conditions unsuitable for road intended bicycles.{{citation needed|date=August 2018}} It is well used by walkers and cyclists, and designated as one of [[Scotland's Great Trails]] by [[NatureScot]].<ref name=sgt>{{cite web|url=http://www.scotlandsgreattrails.com/trails/|title=Trails|publisher=Scotland's Great Trails|access-date=2018-08-30}}</ref> It also forms part of the [[National Cycle Network]], being designated as '''Route 754'''.<ref name=sustrans/> [[Sustrans]] advises that the path is best followed from the [[Firth of Clyde|Clyde]] to the [[Firth of Forth|Forth]] because the prevailing wind is from the south west.<ref name=sustrans>{{cite web|url=https://www.sustrans.org.uk/ncn/map/route/clydebank-to-edinburgh/|title=Clydebank to Edinburgh (Route 754)|publisher=Sustrans|access-date=2018-08-30}}</ref> Much of the path is also suitable for experienced [[horseriding|horseriders]], although in some places low bridges, narrow [[Navigable aqueduct|aqueduct]]s and gates may restrict access for horses.<ref name=multi-use>{{cite web|url=https://www.scottishcanals.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Forth-Clyde-and-Union-Canals-Notes-for-Horse-Riders.pdf|title=Forth, Clyde and Union Canals: Notes on multi-use access – commissioned by Scottish Natural Heritage)|publisher=[[Scottish Canals]]|date=June 2016|access-date=2018-08-30}}</ref>

== Route of the path ==
[[File:Edinburgh Quay from the Leamington Lift Bridge (composite).jpg|thumb|left|View of Edinburgh Quay. A school party can be seen using the towpath on the left.]]
Following the path west to east, it begins at Bowling Basin where the Forth & Clyde Canal enters the Firth of Clyde. The canal runs east through [[Clydebank]], Boghouse Locks, Clobberhill Locks, Temple Locks and [[Maryhill]] Locks. It passes close to the former [[Singer Corporation|Singer]] Sewing Machine Works which once employed 19,000 people and exported sewing machines all over the world, including many to pre-Revolutionary [[Russia]]. At [[Stockingfield Junction]] near [[Maryhill]] is the 'Glasgow Branch' a spur which originally connected to the [[Monkland Canal]] (which connected with [[Port Dundas]], close to the city centre of Glasgow).<ref name=bowling>{{cite web|url=https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/glasgow/bowling-stockingfield.shtml|title=Forth and Clyde Canal: Bowling to Stockingfield Jcn|publisher=WalkHighlands|access-date=2018-08-31}}</ref> A new footbridge was installed there in 2022.<ref>[https://www.scottishcanals.co.uk/stockingfield-bridge/ Scottish Canals - Stockingfield Bridge], Scottish Canals. Retrieved 29 October 2022</ref><ref>[https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/19940483.newest-north-glasgow-bridge-stockingfield-bridge-will-connect-communities/ Newest North Glasgow bridge Stockingfield Bridge will connect communities], Eszter Tárnai, Glasgow Times, 21 February 2022</ref><ref>[https://www.scape.co.uk/news/2022/stockingfield-bridge-wins-ice-peoples-choice-award-2022 Stockingfield Bridge wins ICE People’s Choice Award 2022], Scape Scotland Civil Engineering, 25 October 2022 </ref>

From Stockingfield Junction the canal path runs north east, through [[Bishopbriggs]], [[Kirkintilloch]] and [[Kilsyth]], to the [[Falkirk Wheel]] where the Forth & Clyde Canal joins with the [[Union Canal (Scotland)|Union Canal]]. A branch of the Forth & Clyde Canal runs from Falkirk to the River Carron, near [[Grangemouth]].<ref name=sjk>{{cite web|url=https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/glasgow/stockingfield-kilsyth.shtml|title=Forth and Clyde Canal: Stockingfield Jcn to Kilsyth|publisher=WalkHighlands|access-date=2018-08-31}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/glasgow/kilsyth-falkirk.shtml|title=Forth and Clyde Canal: Kilsyth to Falkirk|publisher=WalkHighlands|access-date=2018-08-31}}</ref> 

The path continues along the towpath of the Union Canal, through [[Linlithgow]], past the red shale [[spoil tip|bings]] which are all that remains of Scotland's oilshale industry, and through the outskirts of Edinburgh.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/lothian/linlithgow-ratho.shtml|title=Union canal: Linlithgow to Ratho|publisher=WalkHighlands|access-date=2018-08-31}}</ref> Unlike the Forth and Clyde Canal with its many lock systems, the Union Canal is a contour canal and there is only one lock, located near the Falkirk Wheel. 

The path ends at the canal port at [[Lochrin|Lochrin Basin]], Edinburgh Quay, near [[Tollcross, Edinburgh|Tollcross]], in the centre of Edinburgh.<ref name=ratho-lochrin>{{cite web|url=https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/lothian/ratho-lochrin.shtml|title=Union Canal: Ratho to Lochrin Basin|publisher=WalkHighlands|access-date=2018-08-31}}</ref> If desired the pathway can be extended a further 3&nbsp;km through the centre of Edinburgh and down to [[Leith]] and Leith Docks.

Railway lines run close to the path for most of its length. Bowling Station, on the line from Glasgow, is close to the start of the path.<ref name=bowling/> Both Glasgow main line railway stations are in the centre of the city, only a few hundred metres apart. The line which has run close to the path from Bowling to Glasgow passes through [[Glasgow Central railway station|Glasgow Central Station]] low-level. The railway line which runs close to the rest of the path runs from [[Glasgow Queen Street railway station|Glasgow Queen Street Station]] to [[Haymarket railway station|Edinburgh Haymarket Station]]. In [[Croy, North Lanarkshire|Croy]], [[Falkirk]] and [[Linlithgow]] the canal passes only a few hundred metres from the railway stations. Edinburgh's Waverley Station and Haymarket Station are only a short distance from Lochrin Basin.<ref name=ratho-lochrin/>

The path can be completed in three, roughly equal, sections:

#Bowling Basin ([[Bowling railway station|Bowling Station]]) to Auchinstarry Basin, [[Kilsyth]] ([[Croy railway station|Croy Station]])
#Auchinstarry Basin to Linlithgow Canal Centre ([[Linlithgow railway station|Linlithgow Station]])
#Linlithgow Canal Centre to Lochrin Basin (Haymarket and Waverley Stations)

== Places of interest along the path ==
[[File:M8 Motorway and Union Canal.JPG|thumb|The canal, seen beyond the M8 motorway, deviates northwards just south of [[Broxburn, West Lothian]].]]
*The [[Slateford Aqueduct]] on the outskirts of Edinburgh takes the canal over the [[Water of Leith]].<ref>{{Historic Environment Scotland|cat=PLA|num=52727|num2=NT27SW 97|desc=Edinburgh, Union Canal, Slateford Aqueduct}}</ref>
*The [[Avon Aqueduct]] is west of Linlithgow and is {{convert|810|ft|m|order=flip|abbr=on}} long and {{convert|86|ft|m|order=flip|abbr=on}} high. It is the second largest aqueduct in Britain.<ref>{{Historic Environment Scotland|cat=PLA|num=47842|num2=NS97NE 60|desc=Union Canal, Avon Aqueduct}}</ref>
*At [[Broxburn, West Lothian|Broxburn]] on the Union Canal the path runs between a number of red shale [[spoil tip|bings]]. The world's oil industry was started near here by [[James Young (Scottish chemist)|James 'Paraffin' Young]] who build an industry to extract oil from shale. The [[spoil tip|bings]] are the remains of an industry which once employed 10,000 people in the area. Some of the bings have been removed to provide foundation material for motorways, but many remain.
*The [[Almond Aqueduct]] is west of Ratho and takes the canal {{convert|75|ft|m|order=flip|abbr=on}} above the River Almond.
*The [[Falkirk Wheel]] allows water craft to move between the Forth & Clyde and Union canals. It replaces the eleven locks that used to allow boats to traverse the {{convert|110|ft|m|abbr=on}} height difference between the two canals.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.scottishcanals.co.uk/falkirk-wheel/about-the-wheel/|title=About the Falkirk Wheel|publisher=Scottish Canals|access-date=2018-08-31}}</ref>
*The Falkirk Tunnel is the oldest and longest canal tunnel in Scotland. It is 631 metres long, 5.5 metres wide and 6 metres high.
*The burgh of [[Kilsyth]], with [[Colzium]] estate and park
*The [[Antonine Wall]], which is an ancient [[Ancient Rome|Roman]] fortification and [[wall]], seen for example at [[Bar Hill Fort|Bar Hill]] near [[Twechar]]
*The [[Kelvin Aqueduct]] in Glasgow is {{convert|400|ft|m|order=flip|abbr=on}} long and {{convert|70|ft|m|order=flip|abbr=on}} high.<ref>{{Historic Environment Scotland|cat=PLA|num=44154|num2=NS56NE 85|desc=Glasgow, Maryhill, Forth And Clyde Canal, Kelvin Aqueduct}}</ref>

== Alternative coast to coast routes ==

[[Sustrans]] have devised an alternative coast to coast route across the [[Central Belt]], [[National Cycle Route 75|Route 75]]. This starts at [[Gourock]] on the Firth of Clyde and then goes to [[Bell's Bridge]] in Glasgow, via [[Paisley, Renfrewshire|Paisley]]. It then goes to Edinburgh via [[Airdrie, North Lanarkshire|Airdrie]], the [[Bathgate Railway Path]], the [[Water of Leith Walkway]] and the Union Canal towpath.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sustrans.org.uk/ncn/map/route/route-75|title=Route 75|publisher=Sustrans|access-date=2018-08-30}}</ref> This route is longer at {{convert|171|mi|km|abbr=on}} and only {{convert|98|mi|km|abbr=on}} of the path are off-road. Another alternative route across central Scotland is the [[John Muir Way]], which runs from [[Dunbar]] to [[Helensburgh]], a distance of {{convert|215|km|m|abbr=on}}. This path includes a section along the Forth and Clyde Canal, and is also designated as one of [[Scotland's Great Trails]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scotlandsgreattrails.com/trail/john-muir-way/|title=John Muir Way|publisher=Scotland's Great Trails|access-date=2018-08-30}}</ref>

== Gallery ==
{{Cleanup-gallery|date=June 2017}}
<gallery>
Image:Ftof01.jpg|Auchinstarry Basin
Image:Ftof03.jpg|Falkirk Wheel
Image:Avon_Aqueduct_-_Ftof00.jpg|Avon Aqueduct
Image:Ftof02.jpg|Union Canal
File:Forth and Clyde Bowling Basin.jpg|Bowling Basin
File:Forth and Clyde Bowling Basin 2.jpg|Bowling Basin
File:Forth and Clyde signpost.jpg|Forth & Clyde signpost
File:Union Canal boat.jpg|Union Canal

File:Forth and Clyde Lock 27.jpg|Forth & Clyde Lock 27
Image:Forth and Clyde canal pathway 2.jpg|Forth & Clyde
File:Forth and Clyde canal path.jpg|Under the Erskine Bridge
</gallery>

==References==
{{reflist}}

== Maps and guides ==
*[http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/forth-clyde-union-canal.shtml Forth and Clyde and Union Canal] - guide & maps to the route on Walkhighlands
*[http://local.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&cp=55.955252~-3.853605&style=r&lvl=10&cid=4B1903CD6836267B!170 Annotated map of the route]
*Forth & Clyde and Union Canals map by GEOprojects [UK]. {{ISBN|0-86351-139-2}}.
*Exploring the Edinburgh to Glasgow Canals by Hamish Brown. Mercat Press. Jul 2006. {{ISBN|1-84183-096-8}}.

{{Long-distance footpaths in the United Kingdom}}
{{NCN |state=collapsed}}
{{Transport in Glasgow}}

[[Category:Scotland's Great Trails]]
[[Category:Canals in Scotland]]
[[Category:Cycleways in Scotland]]
[[Category:National Cycle Routes]]
[[Category:Footpaths in North Lanarkshire]]
[[Category:Footpaths in East Dunbartonshire]]
[[Category:Clydebank]]
[[Category:Maryhill]]
[[Category:Bearsden]]
[[Category:Bishopbriggs]]
[[Category:Kirkintilloch]]
[[Category:Falkirk]]
[[Category:Linlithgow]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Edinburgh]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Glasgow]]