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Roads and Canals.

All the great roads leading to the city of Glasgow, except by the two bridges on the S. side, pass through this parish. They are all kept in good order; but on the N. side of the city they have been originally formed upon a most improper plan, being carried over the top of every hill, instead of being led about the side, which would have been as short, and nearly level. The Great Canal between Forth and Clyde passes through part of this parish, as does also that from Monkland. The Forth and Clyde navigation was begun to be cut on the 10^th of July 1768, and was opened as far as Stockingfield in this parish, 10^th July 1775; a side-cut was brought forward to Hamilton-hill, November 1777, where a large bason was formed for the reception of vessels, and large granaries and other buildings erected. They are now carrying forward this side-cut, in order to form a junction with the Monkland Canal, which runs eastward through this parish to the collieries in Monkland parish, and extends to 12 miles in length. On this side-cut, a new bason is to be formed at Hundred Acre Hill in this parish, within half a mile of Glasgow; here granaries, and other buildings are to be erected, and a new village built, to be called Port-Dundas. The Canal was opened from sea to sea on the 29^th day of July 1790, and is carried over four aqueduct bridges in this parish. The great bridge over Kelvin was begun in June 1787, and finished in April 1791. It is carried over a valley 400 feet long, and 65 deep. It consists of 4 very large arches of excellent mason work; is in height about 83 feet from the bed of the river to the top of the bridge, and is one of the most stupendous works of the kind perhaps in the world. The Canal is about 56 feet wide at the surface, and 27 feet at the bottom, is 8 feet deep, and admits vessels of 19 feet beam, and 68 feet keel. On the Canal there are 5 locks in this parish, within the space of 200 yards, each lock is 74 feet between the gates, and 20 between the walls. There is also a very good dry dock for the vessels employed upon the Canal.

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