Ealasaid Mharia berthed at Bowling harbour
FORTH AND CLYDE CANAL
After lying derelict for many years, the Forth & Clyde Canal once again strides
the country from east to west.
Running from Bowling and the Clyde, through Glasgow to Grangemouth and
the Forth, it was triumphantly reopened in 2001 as part of the £78m Millennium Link
project - the largest canal restoration ever in Britain. Its 35 miles and 39 locks cross
the Scottish Lowlands, passing the 115ft (35m) high Falkirk Wheel en route.
Whilst the concept has been suggested in a number of cases, the only example
in the world of a drop lock that has actually been constructed is at Dalmuir
on the Forth and Clyde Canal in Scotland. This lock, of the single chamber type,
was incorporated during the restoration of the canal, to allow the replacement
of a swing bridge (on a busy A road) by a fixed bridge, and so answer criticisms
that the restoration of the canal would cause frequent interruptions of the heavy
road traffic. It can be emptied by pumping - but as this uses a lot of electricity the
method used when water supples are adequate is to drain the lock to a nearby burn.
similar arrangement is due to be built as part of the Droitwich Canal restoration.
NEW RESIDENT OF THE CANAL
Bowling harbour basin on the forth and clyde canal