I've been singing the song since hearing Kevin Mitchell's version on his first LP. I used to pass the Mugdock Reservoir (aka The Mickey Dam) every week or so when travelling to and from University in the late 60s. At that time it would have still been Glasgow Corporation property and closed to the public, in contrast to today when it is a popular destination for walkers and joggers.

Mugdock and Craigmaddie Reservoirs were built as the southern terminus of the aqueduct conducting Glasgow's water supply from Loch Katrine, north of Aberfoyle where we lived for a time. The pipeline was driven through the mountainous country between Stronaclachar and Milngavie, sometimes buried underground, sometimes out-cropping at road-crossings (the resulting low bridges have all gone, the pipe-line now buried beneath the roads). The early construction was contemporaneous with the Crimean War, which may explain the name "Sebastopol" still on Ordnance Survey maps, marking the site above Loch Chon of one of the labourer's camps. I have been unable to find how many men died during construction, but I imagine the choice of name reflects the severity of conditions there.

This site has great photographs and good information.
https://www.caingram.info/Scotland/Pic_htm/milngavie_waterworks.htm

Ross