The Lothian Esks which start their headwaters in the Pentland and Moorfoot Hills flowing through Midlothian and after flowing through a number of towns and villages joins together before discharging into the Firth of Forth at Musselburgh.  On the way it tumbles through ravines and communities providing life for wildlife and people who live and work in the area.  A river loved by people but needs a holistic catchment scale initiative to ensure it is resilient in the future and supports both wildlife and communities.

There are areas within the Lothian Esk catchment which are at risk of flooding which could damage houses, businesses and infrastructure.  The catchment is also impacted by the presence of weirs and manmade dams which impact on the natural movement of species particularly fish - salmon , trout, eels and lamprey and also damaging impounded waters and loss of sediment transfer.  This is further exacerbated by the presence of sewage, and mine water pollution and invasive non native species.

Working across all communities the river needs a plan and action which can be taken to boost and support the work to prevent flooding as well as protection of drinking water assets and sewage treatment plants.  Improvements are required to both longitudinal and lateral connectivity which will lead to the recovery of nature supporting both local and visitors alike.  The river and its people can, by working across the whole river catchment and on sustainable nature like solutions, potentially reduce to the costs of flood mitigation measures, reduce sewage spills, provide sustainable solutions to net zero energy production and bring iconic species back to the river supporting tourism.

Measures could include the re-introduction of the beaver to aid river engineering, reconnection of floodplain, planting or riverwoods along the catchment, removal of impediments to fish passage up and down stream as well as ensure the sediment transfer function to provide nutrients and energy to the river system.  This would include bring the communities together to prepare a plan as well as looking innovative types of funding for delivery.  We believe this would also support the measures being put forward for the delivery of flood mitigation measures within the catchment.

https://ballochparkregen.co.uk/

Immerse Balloch Castle Country Park's one million annual local & international visitors in nature recovery by putting Riverwoods action & education at the heart of this unique Park's critical restoration. Harness the local community's love of the Park to help achieve healthy, vibrant riparian woodland networks in the world famous Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park.

This 217 acre country park almost has it all:

- river, burns, loch lomond, beaches, slipway;

- extensive native woodland, outstanding veteran trees, designed parkland, walled garden;

- red squirrels, an array of wild fish species;

- A-Listed castle, gatehouses, playparks; &

- easy access by train, bus, bike and car from Glasgow.

Yet while annual visitor numbers have soared from 400,000 in 2003 to an estimated million now, this vast Park is suffering a rapid 'managed' decline - abandoned &  sunken watercraft, riven with problem non-native, self-seeding conifers & bamboo, erosion undermining woodland, mature trees and paths. Anti-social behaviour & littering, no café, accessible toilets or shop, deteriorating fenced off castle, minimal organised education, events or volunteering opportunities, & substantial negative impacts associated with a huge increase in footfall.

The Park and its bonnie banks are visitor magnets but these outstanding natural & capital assets currently generate no income for reinvestment in the Park. As well as international visitors, it serves some of the most deprived areas of Scotland. Owned by Glasgow City Council and leased to West Dunbartonshire Council, Balloch Castle Country Park is sinking and desperately needs vision and resources now.

https://www.facebook.com/Ballochcastlecountrypark

Our Balloch Park: https://vimeo.com/764966107/3a04ec5a56