Glasgow City Corporation Waterworks, 1855 Aqueduct, Green Burn Water Chamber

NS49SE 7.01 49610 93831

For general summary of Loch Katrine (reservoir), see NN41SW 29.

The growth of Glasgow and the subsequent need for unpolluted water for both human and industrial consumption, resulted in the decision to build an aqueduct to provide water to the city. Loch Katrine was chosen to be the source of the supply. The system (34 miles long) was inaugurated by Queen Victoria on the 14 October 1859. By 1883 an additional supply from Loch Katrine was needed due to the increased consumption of water by the city. An additional aqueduct was constructed from 1885. The new system, measuring 23.5 miles in length, was officially opened on 21st June 1901.

Glasgow Corporation Water-Works 1909

Loch Katrine aqueduct, Green Burn chamber (Muylle Id no = 196): This feature relates to the 1885 aqueduct. It is a subterranean access chamber and provides direct low-level access to the aqueduct channel by way of a masonry staircase surrounded by railings. A cylindrical shaft with a hemispherical iron grille sits above the chamber, providing ventilation and open-air access. Such chambers are only to be found on the 1885 aqueduct. The whole is enclosed by an iron fence.

Information from Jelle Muylle, engineer carrying out a survey of aqueducts and related structures of the Glasgow

Corporation Loch Katrine Waterworks Scheme, 2006.