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History of the River Kelvin
The non-tidal River Kelvin has never been navigable, but nonetheless provides a vantage point on Glasgow's history. Shipyards once cluttered the confluence of the Kelvin and Clyde, and the paddle steamer Waverley was launched from its banks.
The Glasgow Central Railway ran alongside the river through Maryhill and Kelvingrove, past the Botanic Gardens. The narrow valley sides forced the railway to continually swap sides and delve into tunnels - some of the stations were even built underground. Though the line is closed today, you can still wonder at the viaducts and embankments as you walk along the Kelvin Walkway.
Another imposing structure is the Kelvin Aqueduct in Maryhill. This four-arched crossing carries the Forth & Clyde Canal across the river, and is best admired from below. The canal's Maryhill Locks are nearby and are interesting architectural features in themselves.
Water has been used for centuries in Scotland to generate power. One of Glasgow's hidden treasures, the North Woodside Flint Mill, was powered by the force of the Kelvin. Flint was ground here to produce glazing material for pottery. The ruins are still accessible today, opposite the Botanic Gardens.
The Kelvin's propensity to flood has caused man to alter its course over time, but though it is no longer the natural river it once was, it still rewards exploration.
