The Clyde is a river in southern Scotland (United Kingdom). It flows through the administrative areas of South Lanarkshire, North Lanarkshire, Glasgow, West Dunbartonshire, Renfrewshire, Inverclyde, Argyll and Bute. It is 170 km long (with an estuary of 208 km). The catchment area is 4100 km². It is the tenth longest river in the United Kingdom. It rises on the northern slopes of the South Highlands. In its upper reaches it flows northwards through low mountains and then hilly countryside, forming rapids above Lanark. At Greenock it flows into the Firth of Clyde of the Atlantic Ocean. It is successively joined by Potrail Water, Elvan Water, Camps Water, Duneaton Water, South Medwin, North Medwin and Kelvin. The average annual flow of water in the estuary is 70 m³/s. It reaches its highest water levels in autumn and winter.
Water transport by sea-going vessels is possible to the city of Glasgow. River traffic is possible up to the rapids. A hydroelectric power station has been built on the rapids. The river is connected by canals to the North Sea. In the past it was one of the most important links in the UK’s overseas trade with the rest of the world.
In the 13th century, the first bridge across the River Clyde was built in Glasgow, then a small city. This was an important step towards its eventual growth into a city. The establishment of Glasgow University and the Archdiocese of Glasgow in the 15th century greatly increased the city’s importance in Scotland. From the early modern period onwards.
