Open for businessIn 1790 the canal was finally opened after initial work had began in 1768.
Major transport routesThe canal was used for delivering freight in the early years. This image was taken in Clydebank with the famous Singer sewing factory in the background.
No room onboardPassenger transport became increasingly popular too. The image shows the Gypsy Princess travelling through Kirkintilloch. If you look closely, the boat is crammed full of people!
End of the roadThe development of modern transport infrastructure such as railways and roads leads to the declined use of the canal. This culminates in the decision to close it to navigation in 1962.
Unused and unlovedPeople turn their back on the canal throughout the 70s and 80s leading to scenes like this at Maryhill. The nickname 'killer canal' is coined to reflect how undesirable it has become.
A dumping groundWith no-one using the canal, it becomes a dumping ground for everyone's waste. Common items include tyres, sofas, beds, shopping trolleys and, as you can see, even cars!
New Millennium, new canalA group of passionate enthusiasts refuse to accept that the canals are dead and start to lobby support. This leads to securing funding for the restoration of the full Forth & Clyde Canal through the £83.5 million Millennium Link project and it is fully re-opened in 2002.
Worth every pennyToday, the Forth & Clyde forms part of a thriving network of canals in Scotland, welcoming 25 million visitors to their towpaths every year. Vessels can once again travel from Glasgow to Edinburgh via the waterways and investors have helped create canalside housing, offices, pubs and restaurants across central Scotland.