The Forth-Clyde canal is without doubt one of the worlds most famous and spectacular canals, it does highlight the Scots who made this technology commonplace worldwide.

However, for London to announce 78 million pounds to restore it to look nice and to only give 50 million the same day for public transport improvements in Scotland is pathetic.

Anyway, we know Blair is planning to privatise the British waterways board anyway and charge high fees for those who can afford it to use canals .

This of course would not work in Scotland as the canals are rights of way as the public have walked them unhindered for more than 100 years.