The Water Commissioners at the turning of the first sod of the works on the line of the new aqueduct from Loch Katrine 1st May 1886. The Hon. William McOnie, Lord Provost Possibly 1886

T. & R. Annan & Sons made this photograph of the Water Commissioners on May 1st, 1886. It commemorates the start of the aqueduct works from Loch Katrine, overseen by the Hon. William McOnie, Lord Provost. In this era, large-scale infrastructure projects like aqueducts were vital for public health and urban development. The photograph depicts a gathering of formally dressed men, likely local dignitaries and engineers. Their presence highlights the social and political importance of this project for the city and region, as well as the institutions that shape the urban environment. The photograph suggests the progressive values and civic pride associated with this monumental engineering achievement. To fully understand the image, one might research the history of urban development in Glasgow, the role of public works in shaping the city, and the social and political context in which such projects were conceived and executed. By examining such historical resources, we can better appreciate the complex interplay between art, society, and institutional power.