The Monkland Canal

It may not be as large and impressive as the Forth and Clyde, or as technically innovative as the Union, but the Monkland Canal was actually the only really successful Scottish canal. Unfortunately, most of it is now gone, filled in beneath the M8 motorway. But two of the original sections still remain, one at Drumpelier Country Park, the other to the south of Airdrie.

Recently, some restoration work has been carried out. A culvert on the Drumpelier section has been removed and a replica of the original bridge put back instead, allowing this short section to be used. A section of canal in the centre of Coatbridge, once filled in under a footpath, has been recreated, and with fountains, it forms an attractive feature. Another section has been excavated at the Summerlee Heritage Centre, and there are even plans to reopen a longer section of it for boating. Although it is very unlikely the canal will ever link up with the Forth and Clyde again, the future for Scotland's little-known canal looks bright.

Re-instated section of Monkland Canal in Coatbridge

Re-instated section of the Monkland Canal at Summerlee Heritage Centre

Click here to view more photos of the Monkland Canal

For a brief history of the canal, click here