Monkland Canal - More Prosperous Times

More Prosperous Times

Despite its financial difficulties, the canal was succeeding in its role of conveying coal to Glasgow. Talking of East Monkland in 1792, a writer says that "Twenty years ago coal sold so low as 6d. the cart load; but since the Monkland Canal was opened, it sells at 18d. the cart weighing 12 cwt." In other words, coal extracted at Monkland now found a lucrative market in Glasgow.

Meanwhile the principal users of the canal, the owners or tacksmen, necessarily working deposits close to the canal, reduced in number. In 1793 the Statistical Account comments that the canal is unfinished, but adds:

The canal trade is at present as follows:

Stirling also brought 3,000 carts of dung and lime in to his agricultural estates.

In subsequent years, Stirling further expanded his activity and by 1802 he was paying 75% of the tonnage dues on the canal. Meanwhile a redistribution of shares resulted in all the shares in the canal Company being in the hands of the firm of William Stirling & Sons (52) and Andrew Stirling personally (49). Andrew, John and James Stirling had made themselves the sole members of the Committee of Management and John and James -- a majority of two votes out of three -- increased the canal tolls to the maximum legally allowed. This led to litigation within the family, and also later from William Dixon, who had coal and iron works near the east end of the canal.