New 50th nature reserve in Scotland welcomed by Minister
Issued by Scottish Natural Heritage
Environment Minister Michael Russell today welcomed the creation of the 50th Local Nature Reserve (LNR) in Scotland’s fastest growing city.
Inverness has been chosen for the accolade and the new LNR covers almost 55 hectares in the Merkinch area of the city on the shores of the Inner Moray Firth.
SNH has stressed the new nature reserve could provide a boost to the area by providing locals and visitors with improved health and quality of life opportunities.
The landmark designation for Inverness comes as Renfrewshire and Falkirk have similar projects in the pipeline.
LNRs are important areas as they help protect nature close to housing, may improve peoples’ quality of life, and provide an outdoor learning experience for schoolchildren and adults.
Under the LNR process, SNH provides advice and support for communities keen to improve an area by having it declared an LNR. This can involve improving site access, conserving important habitats and species or giving opportunities for environmental action.
SNH area staff have worked closely with Merkinch Greenspace (formerly South Kessock Environmental Company) by providing this advice and support. Merkinch Greenspace has in turn worked with Merkinch Partnership, The Highland Council, British Waterways and Greeninverness. Like all LNRs, the 50th will be managed by the local council and the local community with support from the other public agencies through an agreed management plan.
SNH chairman Andrew Thin and Drew Hendry, Highland Council’s chairman of planning, environment and development will visit the new LNR at 10.30am on Monday 10 December. It will receive its official community opening in spring 2008.
Speaking at the LNR, Andrew Thin said: “This is the 50th LNR that SNH has provided advice for and helped local communities in Scotland to create and we are delighted to reach this milestone. Acting as advisor, SNH has helped the local community realise their ambitions of having a nature reserve of this type on their doorstep and that is something worthwhile.
“It is the only LNR in Inverness and the Highlands and it contributes to a network of such sites across Scotland which provide health and environmental benefits to thousands of people. The LNR network plays a crucial role in allowing locals and visitors to get out there and see their countryside for themselves.
“These nature reserves can also play an economic role by allowing visitors and locals to stay longer and explore a place they may not know existed – therefore LNRs can play a part in benefiting local businesses.
“By encouraging people to stay longer in local areas the network of 50 Local Nature Reserves help strengthen local communities and we would like to see more of them stretched across Scotland.”
Michael Russell, Minister for the Environment, said: “I am delighted that Merkinch in Inverness has been chosen as the site of the 50th LNR in Scotland – it is a suitable reward for Scotland’s fastest growing city. The reserve will also assist the economic profile of Inverness by acting as a lure for visitors to stay a little longer and visit this varied site.
“These LNRs give the people of Scotland a real chance to get out into their local countryside and enjoy the natural heritage on offer as well as becoming fitter and healthier into the bargain and that is to be encouraged.”
Councillor Drew Hendry, chairman of The Highland Council's planning, environment and development committee said: "As the Highlands’ only LNR, this will provide special focus for Merkinch and Inverness and will place it on the Scottish map of environmentally significant sites. We look forward to welcoming visitors here and to the unique benefits that the locals will experience on their doorsteps in this special place in the Highlands."
And Peter Corbett, Highland councillor for Merkinch, added: “It is quite unique to have something of this type in the Highlands and in the South Kessock area, which usually gets identified for other things. This new reserve is recognition of the value that the local community have placed on this special area for many years.”
The vision for Merkinch LNR is ‘to create the best Local Nature Reserve in
Scotland: a place where people and biodiversity co-exist to each other’s mutual benefit’.
Merkinch Greenspace has been awarded funding by the Community Regeneration Fund, SNH and HIE Inverness and East Highland. The grant will be used to employ a consultant to prepare a detailed management plan and install gateway markers with maps and interpretation. Funding is also earmarked for a community-based launch event next spring.
Merkinch (island/meadow of the horses in Gaelic) was originally an estuarine island.