Documents

Where documents include maps, the use of this data is subject to terms and conditions (https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/termsandconditions).

The legal document available for download below constitutes the formal designation of the monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979. The additional details provided on this page are provided for information purposes only and do not form part of the designation. Historic Environment Scotland accepts no liability for any loss or damages arising from reliance on any inaccuracies within this additional information.

• Type

  Legal Documents

  Title

  SM6771_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600012573)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises a length of inland waterway forming that part of the Forth and Clyde Canal known as the Glasgow Branch.

It is 3 miles (5 km) long and runs from Stockingfield (at the north end) to Speir's Wharf (at the south end). The monument includes the entire length in water together with the banks on either side and the towing path running along the west side. In addition, the monument includes the following canal structures:

[1] The Ruchill Railway Tunnel Aqueduct carrying a (now disused) railway line under the canal;

[2] An overflow for water at Ruchill, with 3 arches and a centrally-placed sluice gate and a paved culvert leading to the main sewer at the north west;

[3] The Bilsland Drive Aqueduct;

[4] The two basins at Firhill, one in water on the west

side and one now infilled on the east side;

[5] The basin (in water) on the east side just south of Firhill and formerly leading to a clay pit;

[6] The basin at Applecross Street, formerly the original terminus known as Hamiltonhill Basin;

[7] The bascule (lifting) bridge at Applecross Street;

[8] The Possil Road Aqueducts;

The monument does not include the two existing (modern) over-bridges at Ruchill Street and Firhill Street, or any modern fences and walls but does include an area to either side of the area in water in which traces of activities associated with its construction and use may survive, as marked in red on the accompanying map.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance because, as an integral part of the Forth and Clyde Canal, it is a superlative example of Georgian civil engineering. The canal was the first of Scotland's great inland waterways to be constructed (between 1768 and 1791) and at the time was known as the 'The Great Canal' ' a recognition of its national importance even then. The Glasgow Branch is an important element in the canal's overall design and is associated with two very notable civil engineers ' John Smeaton, who was responsible for the original section from Stockingfield Junction to Hamiltonhill Basin, and Robert Whitworth, who completed the branch to Port Dundas.

References

Bibliography

About Scheduled Monuments

Historic Environment Scotland is responsible for designating sites and places at the national level. These designations are Scheduled monuments, Listed buildings, Inventory of gardens and designed landscapes and Inventory of historic battlefields.

We make recommendations to the Scottish Government about historic marine protected areas, and the Scottish Ministers decide whether to designate.

Scheduling is the process that identifies, designates and provides statutory protection for monuments and archaeological sites of national importance as set out in the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979.

We schedule sites and monuments that are found to be of national importance using the selection guidance published in Designation Policy and Selection Guidance (2019)

Scheduled monument records provide an indication of the national importance of the scheduled monument which has been identified by the description and map. The description and map (see ‘legal documents’ above) showing the scheduled area is the designation of the monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979. The statement of national importance and additional information provided are supplementary and provided for general information purposes only. Historic Environment Scotland accepts no liability for any loss or damages arising from reliance on any inaccuracies within the statement of national importance or additional information. These records are not definitive historical or archaeological accounts or a complete description of the monument(s).

The format of scheduled monument records has changed over time. Earlier records will usually be brief. Some information will not have been recorded and the map will not be to current standards. Even if what is described and what is mapped has changed, the monument is still scheduled.

Scheduled monument consent is required to carry out certain work, including repairs, to scheduled monuments. Applications for scheduled monument consent are made to us. We are happy to discuss your proposals with you before you apply and we do not charge for advice or consent. More information about consent and how to apply for it can be found on our website at www.historicenvironment.scot.

Find out more about scheduling and our other designations at www.historicenvironment.scot/advice-and-support. You can contact us on 0131 668 8914 or at designations@hes.scot.