THE story of how the city's canals helped shape Glasgow is to form part of Doors Open Day this weekend.

Visitors will have the chance to visit the oldest canal-linked building in the city.

They can also take a trip on a water taxi along part of the Forth and Clyde Canal and learn some of the stories behind its creation.

The trips, walks and talks are being laid on by Scottish Canals, which says it is offering the public a "rare glimpse into some of the many secrets" of the canal network.

Dr Sabina Strachan, Heritage Team Leader at Scottish Canals, said: "The history of Glasgow is tied intrinsically to that of the canals and the waterways have some incredible stories to tell."

The water taxi ride will be available on Saturday. It will sail between Applecross Street and Lambhill Stables and will be crewed by volunteers from the Forth and Clyde Canal Society.

On the same day, the public will also be able to visit an exhibition at the Whitehouse Inn, at Maryhill Locks, which opened as a public house in 1790.

The exhibition will focus on the history of the canal, including the impressive Kelvin Aqueduct.

On Sunday, Scottish Canals is offering a one-off chance to see the oldest canal-related building in Scotland, the Applecross Street workshops, built in the 1780s.

There will also be a guided tour looking at the history, route and remains of the Monkland Canal in Glasgow. The canal, which ran from the Lanarkshire coalfields through to the city, was engulfed by development in the 1950s and today is largely buried by the M8.

Sunday's tour will reveal the past industrial landscape of this part of Glasgow, and visit what remains to be seen of this once vital commercial artery into the city.

Jenny Tonkins, Heritage Advisor at Scottish Canals, said: "While there are only a few sections of the waterway still visible, the Monkland Canal played a massive role in the development of Glasgow and the towns of Airdrie and Coatbridge.

"I'm sure anyone who comes along on the day will be amazed at the stories the canal has to tell."

Meanwhile, the pubs of the East End will be on the agenda at two weekend talks.

Photographer turned pub historian John Gorevan will be sharing his knowledge of the scores of drinking establishments that once thrived in the area.

He said: "In the early part of last century there were more pubs in Gallowgate than any other street in the whole of Britain.

"There were 86 pubs in a stretch of less than three miles."

Mr Gorevan will be giving his talks at 1pm on Saturday and Sunday in one of the street's oldest surviving pubs, the Heilan' Jessie, at 384 Gallowgate.

iain.lundy@ eveningtimes.co.uk