The Borrowstounness Canal Company
Compiled by: Ken Wright

The Borrowstounness Canal Company was formed presumably sometime in the 1780's. Work had started on the Forth Clyde Canal in 1768 which would obviously prove a threat to Bo'ness Harbour since up to 50 carts of goods would regularly leave Glasgow in the morning bound for Bo'ness.

It was obvious that when the canal was opened to Sealock (Grangemouth) that this and the packhorse trade from Glasgow would cease. The Borrowstounness Canal Company was going to build a canal link between Bo'ness Harbour and the "Great Canal" (as the Forth & Clyde canal was called).

It was initially estimated that the work would cost about £10,000, but when not half completed the cost was already £7,000 the work was abandoned. Meetings were held to raise more money, but there were objections that the money had not been well spent it was said that "some associated with the project rendered themselves richer in pocket and poorer in character by their conduct at that time." Nevertheless the idea wasn't abandoned and it was agreed to employ Robert Whitworth of Glasgow to give a report on the whole proposal and an estimate of the cost to complete the work.

Mr Whitworth was the engineer responsible for the completion of the "Great Canal". His report is dated 28th December 1789, but is outwith the scope of this Timeline. The canal was to be 54ft wide at the top, 27ft wide at the bottom and 8½ft deep to let vessels drawing 8ft to navigate it. The total cost estimated was £17,763 10s 0d. Thus the idea was abandoned.

It is interesting to note that by 1st December 1810 Grangemouth had its own Custom House with jurisdiction for Alloa, Stirling and Kincardine. In the same year the duties drawn from Bo'ness were £30,485 17s 0½d, but 5 years later they had dropped to £3,835 6s 4½d.

On the proposed route for the canal approximately 6 furlongs west of Bo'ness Harbour a castle named Castle Lyon is mentioned, this is probably the same castle as Karig Lion Castle with Grid ref. NS 994817 OS: 65. No trace of either can be seen.