Linear park and active travel link opened at western gateway
THE Bowline, inspired by New York’s Highline and the jewel in the crown of a £10 million regeneration programme at Bowling Harbour, funded by Transport Scotland, opened to the public in September.
The restored viaduct offers fabulous views across the Forth & Clyde Canal and the River Clyde and provides almost uninterrupted fully accessible, off-road access from Glasgow to Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.
Patrick Harvie MSP, Active Travel Minister, opened the Bowline, alongside an array of active travellers, including a unicyclist, and a mobility scooter user making the inaugural trip across the bridge.
Railway arches at Bowling are now home to shops, including a cycle shop and a cafe, and the Customs House has been restored as holiday accommodation.
Bowling Harbour was constructed in the late 1810s by the Forth & Clyde Canal Company and the lock built to give direct access from the River Clyde and the harbour to the canal. It was the location of a shipyard and winter mooring for Clyde steamers.