Once the quickest and most reliable modes of transport across Scotland's Central Belt, the Forth and Clyde Canal is these days used mainly for leisure.

In its heyday though, it carried around a million tons of cargo, such as coal and tobacco, from the east coast to the west and shortened journey times between Edinburgh and Glasgow from a day and a half to around seven hours.

But the spread of railways, and later the introduction of motorways, signalled the end for these trade routes.

And the waterways stayed quiet until canal enthusiasts lobbied for their revival, eventually leading to the reopening of the route from Edinburgh – via the Union Canal – to Bowling near Clydebank, in 2001 and 2002.

Now Scotland's canal routes offer a stunning green corridor across the country and are loved by people of all ages.

And the Kirkintilloch Canal Festival, to be held all next week, is just one celebration of the canal system's revival.

Richard Millar, of British Waterways Scotland, said: "Canals offer something for everyone.

"As well as boating, they are used for canoeing, kayaking and zorbing (which involves giant air-filled balls which carry riders) and the wildlife that lives in and around the waterways is varied.

"The canals, built in stages between 1768 and 1822, were the motorways of their day.

"The canal journey from Edinburgh to Glasgow took seven hours but the usual journey time for this trip back in the 18th century was a day and a half, so canals were revolutionary.

"But at the end of the 19th century canals were in decline as the railways grew.

"It was difficult for them to compete with trains and after the Second World War sections of the Forth and Clyde canal were closed."

The Forth and Clyde's route through Maryhill sees the water flow across a bridge above Maryhill Road.

However, in the 1950s and 60s there were drowning accidents in the canals and the waterways were viewed by many as a nuisance and a danger. Many of the routes were filled in, including the Monk-land Canal which is buried underneath the M8.

But in the mid 1960s, there was a change in attitude and lobbying began to have the routes reopened.

In the 1990s, the Millennium Commission gave £32m to the project. British Waterways Scotland secured a similar amount from European funding and other sources.

Between 1999 and 2002, construction took place and the Forth and Clyde Canal route, incorporating the Falkirk Wheel, was opened.

Richard said: "The canals have gone from a vital transport link to a piece of heritage loved and enjoyed by many."

From Monday until next Sundaythe Kirkintilloch Canal Festival celebrates the reopening of the canal routes. For more visit www.kirkin tillochcanalfestival.org