Where is east end of forth and clyde canal

1. Where “east end” means in modern mapping: Grangemouth and the Carron cut

Contemporary guides and maps consistently identify the canal’s eastern end as being at or very near Grangemouth, connecting into the River Carron rather than directly into open Forth estuary waters; many sources describe a short link into the Carron just upstream of its confluence with the Forth at Grangemouth ^{[1] [2] [3]}. The mainstream navigable route used today makes that Carron connection the practical terminus for boats and tourist services ^{[2] [4]}.

2. Historical phrasing and why sources sometimes say “Forth”

Original 18th- and 19th‑century accounts and later summaries describe the canal as linking the Firth of Forth and the Firth of Clyde and often shorthand the eastern terminus as “the Forth” or “Grangemouth” because Grangemouth lies at the mouth of the River Carron where it meets the Firth of Forth ^{[5] [1]}. That phrasing reflects the canal’s strategic purpose — coast‑to‑coast passage between the two firths — rather than a precise modern geodetic point ^{[5] [6]}.

3. What changed during 20th-century works and the Millennium reopening

Parts of the original easternmost length through Grangemouth were altered or bypassed during 20th‑century road and industrial works; when the canals were restored around the Millennium, the final navigable section was provided as a short link into the River Carron just west of the M9 crossing, rather than reinstating the full original line into central Grangemouth ^[2]. Scottish Canals and regeneration projects focused on reconnecting the route across the Central Belt — including the Falkirk Wheel link to the Union Canal — which preserved Grangemouth/Carron as the effective eastern terminus ^{[7] [3]}.

4. Practical implications for visitors, boaters and historians

For boaters and visitors the relevant fact is this: travel eastbound along the Forth & Clyde leads you to a connection into the River Carron at Grangemouth; marina, tourist and interpretive materials refer to Grangemouth/Carron as the finish rather than the open Forth estuary ^{[4] [8]}. Historians and older texts may still refer to the canal reaching the Firth of Forth or “the east end” in broader terms; check whether a source is describing original 1790 alignments or the current navigable arrangement ^{[5] [1]}.

5. Differing word choices in the sources — semantics, not contradiction

Some authoritative summaries say the canal runs “from the River Clyde at Bowling to the River Carron, about one mile upstream from its confluence with the River Forth at Grangemouth” (explicit and precise), while other descriptions shorten that to “Grangemouth” or speak of the “Forth” in the sense of the larger estuary connection ^{[2] [1] [3]}. Both renderings are present in published material; the discrepancy is semantic and stems from whether the writer emphasizes historic reach or modern navigable links ^{[5] [2]}.

6. How to verify on maps and where to go next

Use official canal maps or Scottish Canals material to see the present-day termini: Scottish Canals and modern navigational guides show the route ending at the Carron/Grangemouth connection while noting the canal’s original sea‑to‑sea purpose ^{[7] [4]}. If you need coordinates, quay or lock names, or directions for navigation or walking routes, consult the canal operator’s site and the local harbour/boat guides cited above for exact location details and services ^{[7] [9]}.

Limitations and note on sources: the answers above rely on contemporary guide websites, canal societies and heritage summaries in the provided set; available sources do not mention an exact single grid reference for “east end” in this packet, nor do they include modern official Scottish Canals engineering drawings in full (not found in current reporting).