Work at Dumbreck Local Nature Reserve has seen the re-naturalisation of 600m of the Garrell Burn with two new fish passes created, improvements to the wetland habitat, new paths created, two bridges replaced and a new one installed, and two boardwalks upgraded.

Monitoring by Clyde River Foundation has identified salmon fry upstream from the fish passes at Burngreen Park. The substantial work has also helped improve the river habitat from ‘poor’ to ‘good’ under Scotland’s River Basin Management Plan.

The project has also improved the nature reserve to conserve the wetland habitat and species such as invertebrates, water voles and wetland birds, and the two new fish passes are designed to allow migration of salmon as well as sea trout and eels.

Minister for Environment and Land Reform, Mairi McAllan joined elected members and representatives from the council, SEPA, contractors WSP and George Leslie and community groups at Dumbreck to see the results of the work carried out.

Environment Minister Mairi McAllan said: “This is a landmark day for the local community as, with support from the Scottish Government’s Water Environment Fund and SEPA’s River Basin Management Planning, North Lanarkshire Council has been able to restore an important ecological site and bring back wild salmon to the Garrell Burn for the first time in a century.

“Removing barriers to fish migration, providing salmon with free access to cold, clean water, is a key action in our Wild Salmon Strategy, which sets out a vision for flourishing populations of wild Atlantic salmon in Scotland.

“Not only has this innovative project transformed river and wetland habitats in over 70 hectares of the nature reserve – it has also brought opportunities for communities, especially the nearby school, to become connected and inspired by the thriving nature on their doorstep.”

“Our greenspace is so important to local communities, and this work at Dumbreck has developed the nature reserve for residents and visitors to enjoy, as well as improving the environment and biodiversity in Kilsyth and the surrounding area,” said Councillor Alan Masterton, Convener of the Environment and Place Committee.

The full story can be read here.