Paddleboarding-Glasgow Forth and Clyde Canal

Glasgow, Forth and Clyde Canal (various)

Threading coast to coast across central Scotland, the Forth & Clyde Canal offers paddlers a sheltered corridor of flat water where shipyards, street art and kingfishers share the same reach. These two public-transport-friendly urban paddles show its range: Bowling to Westerton, with sea-loch views and Clyde heritage, and Applecross Wharf to Lambhill, where a mythical serpent, Glasgow’s answer to The Kelpies, and tranquil Cadder woods lead to the welcoming hub at Lambhill Stables.

Bowling to Westerton (11km one way; rail return)
Launch at Bowling Basin, beneath the Kilpatrick Hills, among colourful moorings, the eighteenth-century Custom’s House and views down the Clyde. Paddle east past Ferrydyke Bridge and under the Erskine Bridge to Dalmuir Drop Lock – Europe’s only one. Portage via the traffic-light crossing, watching for the Beardmore sculpture marking the former naval yard that built Dreadnoughts. Continue through regenerated Clydebank, beneath shopping-centre footbridges and past the floating chippy. Follow the long straight pound to Boghouse Locks (4 portages), then under Great Western Road to Cloberhill Locks (5). Exit canal left just before Westerton footbridge for the train return.

Applecross Wharf to Lambhill Stables (10km return)
Launch at Applecross Wharf pontoon (Scottish Canals HQ). Paddle west past Firhill Stadium to lively Stockingfield Junction with its 30-metre Spire and mosaic serpent, Bella the Beithir. Turn right (east) into a quieter, greener reach through Cadder woods. Slip under the A879 to Lambhill Stables (5km) – a historic staging post, now café, toilets and bike hub. Return the same way or, by bus, walk south on the A879 to Knapdale Street for bus 7/7A.

Access restrictions: No licence required but paddlers asked to complete a free online trip registration with Scottish Canals.

Launch/Egress: Bowling Harbour to Westerton Station: Launch at Bowling Harbour E of sea loch, Grid ref. NS 452 735; Lat/long 55.929, -4.478. Egress at Westerton Rail Station pontoon, Grid ref. NS 539 704; Lat/long 55.904, -4.337. Applecross Wharf to Lambhill: Launch at Applecross Wharf pontoon, Grid ref. NS 586 671; Lat/long 55.877, -4.261. Egress at Lambhill Stables, Grid ref. NS 584 694; Lat/long 55.896, -4.265.

Public transport: Scotrail from Glasgow Central to both Bowling and Westerton rail stations. For Applecross to Lambshill use Firstbus 7/7A from Glasgow city centre to Bairds Brae Road (150m walk north to Applecross Wharf). Return from Lambhill: walk south on Balmore Road to Knapdale Street for the 7/7A back.

Parking Bowling Basin (free), Dumbarton Rd, Bowling, Glasgow G60 5AF, Grid ref. NS 453 735; Lat/long 55.929, -4.477; Applecross Wharf, Applecross Street, Glasgow, G4 9SP; Grid ref. NS 587 671; Lat, long: 55.877, -4.259.

Pitstops Bowling Harbour popular canal side café under the railway arches, Patons Place https://www.instagram.com/patons.place/ ; great fish and chip takeaway from boat-based restaurant alongside the Clyde Shopping Centre, McMonagles https://www.mcmonaglesglasgow.co.uk ; paddle-friendly and community-run café serving great paddling nosh, Lambhill Stable Café www.lambhillstables.org/cafe-and-kitchen/; great coffee, soups and treats in the community-run, Gathering Ground, Applecross Wharf https://gatheringground.org

Special points The Bowling to Westerton route has a number of easy lock portages where a sling may be useful to help lift your craft out of the water on lower water-levels.

Map: OS Explorer 342 – Glasgow, Paisley, Rutherglen and Kirkintilloch.

Paddleboarding Forth & Clyde Canal-Bowling Wharf to Westerton

Paddleboarding Forth & Clyde Canal-Apoplecross Wharf to Lambhill Stables

Paddleboarding South West