Bowling to Maryhill (9 miles)
The Forth & Clyde Canal opened for business in 1790 and was the world's first sea-to-sea man-made waterway. Closure came in 1963 but the entire 35-mile route was reopened in 2001 as part of the Millennium Link Project, which also included the construction of the Falkirk Wheel and the onward Union Canal to Edinburgh. Simply follow the towpath for a trek across the middle of Scotland.
The canal connects with the Clyde at Bowling Basin. Trains from Glasgow Queen Street serve Bowling and it is a short walk from station to towpath. A pleasant stroll takes us towards the Erskine Bridge, opened in 1971. If you glance down to your left, you will see the remains of the railway which paralleled the canal and served the Erskine Ferry terminal. It doesn seem strange that two lines would emanate from Glasgow, practically duplicating each other along the Clyde, but such was the competitive nature of railway construction back in Victorian times.
After four miles, we reach Clydebank where we encounter a drop lock, the only working example in Europe. This allows barges to sink below a road which was built over the waterway during its derelict phase. Not enough clearance was left as there was no anticipation of the canal ever operating again. We pass by a modern shopping centre which is a perfect place to stop for a bite to eat. There is also a sail-through chippy!
We approach the outskirts of Glasgow as the trail becomes increasingly urbanised. Eventually we reach the amazing Kelvin Aqueduct which carries the canal high above Glasgow's second river. At this point we leave the towpath to follow the Kelvin downstream by way of the signed Kelvin Walkway. The route skirts the Glasgow Botanic Gardens and we finally emerge at the busy thoroughfare Great Western Road. From here we can take the subway from Kelvinbridge back to the city centre. The Kelvin Walkway section adds about a mile and a half to the walk. Alternatively head half a mile from the aqueduct up to Maryhill station for a connection to the city centre.
PUB STOPS - The Kelvin Walkway passes by Oran Mor - a trendy craft-beer and artisan whisky bar which also serves cask. For a more traditional Glasgow alehouse, walk down Byres Road to Tennent's Bar which has up to a dozen ales on tap. Further on is the Three Judges which has a wide choice of cask ale and is a must-visit for beer lovers.
