WATERSPORT fans are being urged to get the best view down at the mouth of the River Leven this Saturday.

For 80 fixed seat coxed rowing crews will be battling it out to see who will be the Kings and Queens of the Clyde in the Castle to Crane race 2017.

The race has attracted crews from as far north as Shetland, as far south as Cornwall, as far West as Ireland and as far East as Holland.

A spokesman for the organisers said: "The race will follow the Clyde from Dumbarton Castle up past many fascinating heritage sites to end at the Finnieston Crane, in the heart of Glasgow.

"Boats with launch at Sandpoint Marina, at the mouth of the River Leven.

"This is the site of Denny's shipyard where the clipper Cutty Sark and the Turbine Steamer Queen Mary were Clydebuilt.

"The start will be at historic Dumbarton Castle, with the beginning of the race signalled by cannon fire.

"Boats will race down the channel of the River Leven before turning to port into the main channel of the River Clyde. Conditions can be lively on this stretch of the course.

"In the next part of the race the crews will pass the entrance to the Forth and Clyde Canal at Bowling where our friends at the Bowling Harbour Project and Scottish Canals' will be running activities for spectators and cheering the crews on.

"Boat will pass under the high level Erskine Bridge before the Titan Crane comes into view."

As crews approach the finish they will pass the impressive modern architecture around the Glasgow Science Centre and the BBC and STV buildings, and will pass the Clydebuilt Tall Ship Glenlee, and the Turbine Steamer Queen Mary.

And, depending on her sailings, the last seagoing paddle steamer in the world Clydebuilt "Waverley" may also be seen.

The finish is at the Finnieston Crane, which used to load massive exports, including railway locomotives, onto ships in the docks.

Crews will pass under the Millennium Bridge, the Bells Bridge and the Clyde Arc.

After the finish, the boats will turn back down stream to lift out at Kelvin Harbour, beside the Tall Ship Glenlee and the Zaha Hadid designed Riverside Museum.

Once off the water the rowers will be able to enjoy the hospitality of the Clydebuilt Festival, including crafts, stalls and well earned beer.

The action is expected to get underway at 10am.