Forth & Clyde Canal history
![https://d1hxd0sho1wxko.cloudfront.net/production/imager-transforms-cache/general/236626/Forth_Clyde_Canal-882x562_a37fc3781d14752ebf9d81956716e1cf.jpg](https://d1hxd0sho1wxko.cloudfront.net/production/imager-transforms-cache/general/236626/Forth_Clyde_Canal-882x562_a37fc3781d14752ebf9d81956716e1cf.jpg)
Follow the history of the canal that was designed to provide an important commercial route from the Forth estuary in the East to the Clyde in the West.
![1763](https://d1hxd0sho1wxko.cloudfront.net/production/imager-transforms-cache/general/141073/1763_26a1f09add335143bc2c480199428164.jpg)
1763
Civil Engineer, John Smeaton surveys a route for the Forth & Clyde Canal.
![1768](https://d1hxd0sho1wxko.cloudfront.net/production/imager-transforms-cache/general/141077/1768_26a1f09add335143bc2c480199428164.jpg)
1768
Construction of the privately-owned Forth & Clyde Canal is approved by an Act of Parliament.
![1768](https://d1hxd0sho1wxko.cloudfront.net/production/imager-transforms-cache/general/141079/1768.1_26a1f09add335143bc2c480199428164.jpg)
1768
Work begins in June when the governor of the Canal Company digs the first spade-full at the Eastern sea lock. Over the years this area has grown into what is now known as Grangemouth.
![1775](https://d1hxd0sho1wxko.cloudfront.net/production/imager-transforms-cache/general/141081/1775_26a1f09add335143bc2c480199428164.jpg)
1775
Work stops just North of Glasgow due to a lack of funds.
![1777](https://d1hxd0sho1wxko.cloudfront.net/production/imager-transforms-cache/general/141083/1777_26a1f09add335143bc2c480199428164.jpg)
1777
City merchants raise money to build a branch of the canal into the city.
![1785](https://d1hxd0sho1wxko.cloudfront.net/production/imager-transforms-cache/general/141085/1785_26a1f09add335143bc2c480199428164.jpg)
1785
Government money forfeited from the Jacobite Estates is available and the canal continues its journey to the River Clyde at Bowling.
![1790](https://d1hxd0sho1wxko.cloudfront.net/production/imager-transforms-cache/general/141087/1867_2023-06-26-132102_ogrf_26a1f09add335143bc2c480199428164.jpg)
1790
The Forth & Clyde Canal is opened.
![1867](https://d1hxd0sho1wxko.cloudfront.net/production/imager-transforms-cache/general/141089/1867_26a1f09add335143bc2c480199428164.jpg)
1867
The canal is bought by the Caledonian Railway Company.
![1923](https://d1hxd0sho1wxko.cloudfront.net/production/imager-transforms-cache/general/141091/1948_2023-06-26-131745_qhbj_26a1f09add335143bc2c480199428164.jpg)
1923
Caledonian Railway Company is absorbed into London Midland and Scottish Railway.
![1948](https://d1hxd0sho1wxko.cloudfront.net/production/imager-transforms-cache/general/141093/1948_26a1f09add335143bc2c480199428164.jpg)
1948
The canal is nationalised and administered by the British Transport Commission.
![1962](https://d1hxd0sho1wxko.cloudfront.net/production/imager-transforms-cache/general/141095/1962_26a1f09add335143bc2c480199428164.jpg)
1962
Rights of navigation are extinguished by Parliament and the canal closes in 1963.
![2001](https://d1hxd0sho1wxko.cloudfront.net/production/imager-transforms-cache/general/141097/2001_26a1f09add335143bc2c480199428164.jpg)
2001
The canal is reopened as part of the £83.5m Millennium Link – the largest canal restorations anywhere in Britain.
![2002](https://d1hxd0sho1wxko.cloudfront.net/production/imager-transforms-cache/general/141099/2002_26a1f09add335143bc2c480199428164.jpg)
2002
The Falkirk Wheel reconnects the Forth & Clyde and Union Canals for the first time in over 70 years.