The River Clyde is Scotland`s third longest river and it flows about 160km (100 miles) from the Lanarkshire hills to the town of Greenock, falling some 600m (2000 feet) on its journey downstream; thereafter, the river turns southwards and becomes the Firth of Clyde. The river sits in a broad valley and altogether it drains an area of about 4000 square kilometres (1600 square miles) with its main tributaries in Glasgow being the River Kelvin and the White Cart Water.

Glaswegians would certainly claim it to be the country`s most important river as it flows through the most densely populated area of Scotland and because it has been closely connected with many of the country`s industries. Glasgow is situated at an important crossing point where a busy ford and bridge were established long ago, but the original significance of the medieval city depended on Glasgow Cathedral, not the river, and the well-known phrase Glasgow made the Clyde and the Clyde made Glasgow reflects the role of the river in more recent centuries.

This article is based on the guidebook "The Glasgow Guide".