A superb extremely rare plan of the intended Forth and Clyde Canal linking east and west Scotland. Glasgow is displayed in the lower left and Falkirk to the east. “The idea of a canal across central Scotland had been put forward as early as the mid 17th Century, but nothing was seriously done about it until the early 1760’s when initial surveys were made by John Smeaton. The most promising idea was a canal from the River Forth in the East, to the River Clyde in the West which would be suitable for seagoing coastal vessels. But this plan had its detractors and different routes and schemes were put forward for discussion, and much rivalry was created between Edinburgh, the Capital City of Scotland, and Glasgow, the centre of industry and commerce. Eventually in December 1767 a Bill to permit the building of a canal was put before the British Parliament and on the 8th March 1768 the Bill was passed “to make and maintain a canal from the River Carron near Falkirk (on the River Forth) to Dalmuirburnfoot near Glasgow (on the River Clyde)”. The Company of the Forth & Clyde Navigation was established under the Act and in April 1768 John Smeaton was appointed Canal Engineer.

The Canal was built from East to West being started on the 10th June 1768 at the Eastern Sealock. From there, via 16 locks, the Canal rises through Falkirk to the village of Camelon on its outskirts from where it runs level through Bonnybridge to 4 locks at Underwood and Wyndford. These locks take the Canal up to its highest level of 156 feet (48m) above sea level and from there it runs level through Kilsyth, Twechar and Kirkintilloch to Stockingfield on the then northern outskirts of Glasgow. From Stockingfield the Canal commences its 19 lock drop through Maryhill towards Bowling on the River Clyde. From Stockingfield a branch canal was dug which terminated in the centre of Glasgow at Port Dundas. The Forth & Clyde Canal took 22 years to build, including 7 years during which no work was done due to a lack of funds. Water was first let into the Canal in 1773, when it was filled as far as Kirkintilloch which became the terminus until 1775 when the water was taken as far as Stockingfield. In 1777 funds ran out and it was not until 1784 that work resumed towards Bowling, which now was to become the terminus on the River Clyde as opposed to Dalmuirburnfoot, and which was finally reached in 1790, with the Canal being opened to through navigation in the summer of that year. The first vessel to transit the Canal from Grangemouth to Bowling did so on 31st. August 1790, a total distance of 35 miles (56 km) through 39 locks. The Canal served three main purposes, firstly it allowed seagoing coastal ships to transit between the East and West coasts of Scotland without having to undertake the hazardous voyage around the North of Scotland. Secondly it provided a good inland waterway to transport imported and locally manufactured products from one coast to the other, and the towns in between, and thirdly it allowed passengers to travel across the Country, as many coach services linked up with canal services.”

This map appears to have been issued after approval of the Canal in April 1768 and before construction began hence the attributed date of c.1768. The only name identified with this map is the engraver Alexander Baillie who was active in Edinburgh at the time. A magnificent item of the first major canal constructed in Scotland, of critical economic importance in Scottish history. With a delightful ornate title cartouche.