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Glen Shirva Road, GLASGOW, G65 9QL

Overlooking the Forth and Clyde Canal.

A sightseeing boat based further down the canal at the Falkirk Wheel.

Forth and Clyde Canal at Twechar.

Looking west down the canal, which runs parallel with the B8023 at this point.

In the background is the lifting bridge carrying Main Street over the Forth and Clyde Canal. The bridge was built in 1960 and replaced the original bascule Bridge a few metres to the south. The original supports for the bascule bridge are still evident.

Road bridge crossing the Forth and Clyde canal at Twechar.

Antonine is a sightseeing boat based further down the canal at the Falkirk Wheel. The bridge at Twechar was built in 1960 and replaced the original bascule Bridge (since removed) a few metres to the south (from where this photograph was taken). It only has a clearance of 1.25m when closed, so boats wishing to pass through must request the opening of the bridge.

Safety concerns over this (and another) bridge on the Forth and Clyde Canal have led to them being closed for some time https://www.scottishcanals.co.uk/news/bridge-restrictions-operational-changes/ The Inland Waterways Association "has told Scottish Canals that the current indefinite closure of the Forth & Clyde Canal is unacceptable. This follows the claim by Scottish Canals that it does not have the funds necessary to repair two lift bridges … The two lift bridges, at Twechar and Bonnybridge, are situated around the middle of the Scottish lowlands canal, and their closure would affect all local traffic, the hire boat trade and any seagoing craft wishing to traverse the canal from one coast to the other." https://www.waterways.org.uk/news/view?id=346 This must explain why, on a 17 mile walk along the canal over a period of three days I didn't see any craft moving along the canal. The towpath, on the other hand, was well used by cyclists.

Damaged cast iron plaque beside the canal towpath FORTH & CLYDE CANAL KILSYTH | KIRKINTILLOCH 3½KM | 5½KM TWECHAR STRATHCLYDE EUROPEAN PARTNERSHIP

Quoting from the guide to the Millennium Link "Here, a single-leaf bascule bridge has been refurbished and was recommissioned in January 2001. The work involved replacing the mechanical and electrical operating equipment, replacing the bridge structure and reinstating the control system. The control building has been rebuilt and the area around the bridge site landscaped."