Moorings on the River Clyde
Key facts
- Type
- River
- Managed by
- Scottish Canals / CMAL
- Total length
- 170 km(106 miles)
- Region
- Scotland
The River Clyde flows 170 kilometres from the Lowther Hills in southern Scotland north and west through Lanark, Hamilton and Glasgow before broadening into the Firth of Clyde at Dumbarton. The navigable section is the tidal lower river from Glasgow downstream — historic home of the world's greatest shipbuilding industry, where Cunarders, the Royal Yacht Britannia, the QE2 and warships beyond counting were launched. Today, the Clyde's working shipbuilding has shrunk, but the river has been transformed by spectacular redevelopment: the Clyde Walkway, the Riverside Museum (Glasgow's transport museum), the SEC Armadillo and Hydro venues, the Tall Ship Glenlee and a string of new marinas and visitor moorings. For boat owners, the Clyde at Glasgow offers a unique inland cruising-meets-city-living experience. Long-stay moorings are available at Glasgow Yacht Haven (the city-centre marina at Yorkhill Quay), James Watt Dock Marina (Greenock), and multiple sites along the Firth lower down. The connection to the Forth & Clyde Canal at Bowling Basin gives access to the inland canal network and the cross-Scotland route to Edinburgh. Liveaboards enjoy genuine city amenity (Glasgow's restaurants, museums, music scene), excellent rail (Central Station to London Euston, Edinburgh, Inverness) and quick onward access to the Firth of Clyde's superb cruising waters. A characterful and changing waterway.