Created by damming the North Calder Water in the E of North Lanarkshire, Hillend Reservoir (occasionally referred to as Hillend Loch) occupies Hillend Moss, a quarter-mile (0.5 km) east of Caldercruix and 2 miles (3 km) north of the M8 motorway. It extends to 132 ha / 326 acres. Built between 1796 and 1798 to supply water to the Monkland Canal and the Forth and Clyde Canal, Hillend was said to represent the largest artificial body of water in the world at the time of its construction. The reservoir was expanded in the mid-19th century and was the property of the London, Midland & Scottish Railway. The Airdrie-Bathgate Railway now runs along the southern shore of the reservoir.
It now represents a popular recreational fishery, said to be one of the best Brown Trout waters in Scotland. It is managed by Airdrie & District Angling Club since 1949, who regularly stock it with Rainbow, Brown and Blue trout.
