Celebrating the opening of the bowline

The Bowline, Scotland’s answer to the New York Highline, and a key part of our regeneration works at Bowling Harbour, opened to the public on 24th September 2021. The Bowline connects the Forth & Clyde Canal towpath to the wider National Cycle Network (NCN), providing virtually uninterrupted off-road access from Glasgow to Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park.

Having been involved in the regeneration of Bowling Harbour since the refurbishment of the viaduct arches into the creation of commercial units, Mackenzie Construction is proud to see the public opening of the Bowline linear park which, together with the earlier refurbishment works, provides an important hub for the community and tourism industry in the area. Once a bustling hub of industry, following the closure of the Forth and Clyde Canal in 1963 and the Lanarkshire and Dunbartonshire Railway in 1964, activity at the harbour reduced considerably and the railway swing bridge fell into disrepair. However, the location of the harbour has continued to prove popular for leisure activities and with the area’s iconic past, it was identified as a key regeneration spot that would improve opportunities for recreational and commercial activity and improve access into the area. We were delighted to receive positive feedback from Neil Malone, Network Delivery Coordinator at key project funder, Sustrans. Neil said:

“Just a quick note to pass on my thanks to Jonny, Greg and the site team for Bowling. They’ve made a complicated job a pleasure to be involved with and have done a really good job at going the extra mile to make sure everything has been done well and to a high-quality finish. The finished job looks great, so thanks again to everyone at Mackenzie Construction.”