NS8064 : Roughrigg Reservoir
taken 12 years ago, near to Gartness, North Lanarkshire, Scotland
Known locally as “the loch”, or the WaterWorks this reservoir was constructed between 1846 and 1849 as a joint venture between the Forth and Clyde Canal owners and the Airdrie and Coatbridge Water Company. The canal owners had previously purchased the Monkland Canal in 1846.
An agreement between them allowed the Forth and Clyde Canal owners to draw an agreed amount of water to supply the Monkland Canal and for the Airdrie and Coatbridge Water Company to also draw a set amount to supply the water needs of the population of Airdrie and Coatbridge. This agreement continued until 1874 when the Airdrie and Coatbridge Water Company bought out the Forth and Clyde Canal owners. The Airdrie and Coatbridge Water Company eventually became West of Scotland Water who subsequently became Scottish Water who no longer operate it as a functioning water works and it is currently leased by them to the Roughrigg Angling Club.