Between 1767 and 1774 Hutton had close involvement with the construction of the Forth and Clyde canal, making full use of his geological knowledge, both as a shareholder and as a member of the committee of management, and attended meetings including extended site inspections of all the works.
Entre 1767 e 1774 Hutton tivo unha considerábel e estreita participación na construción da canle Forth e Clyde, facendo uso dos seus coñecementos de xeoloxía, como accionista e como membro do comité de xestión, asistindo a reunións, e inspeccionando in situ todas as obras.