Locals urged to have their say on future of Highland’s only Local Nature Reserve

Members of the public are being invited by The Highland Council to have their say on the future of the Merkinch Local Nature Reserve (LNR) in Inverness which is Highland’s only LNR.

As part of the development of a three-year management plan for the LNR, consultations are taking place to find out what locals and visitors think is special about the area and what their aspirations are for the site.

Councillor Drew Hendry, Chairman of The Highland Council’s Planning, Environment and Development Committee said: “It’s particularly important that local people with knowledge of the area contribute this consultation on the Merkinch Local Nature Reserve. This local involvement will help to determine how the site is used and managed in the future”

Three local consultants; Toni Clark, Bill Taylor and Phil James will produce a plan that looks at the past, present and future of the Merkinch LNR. As well as speaking to people on the site and in Merkinch, they are keen to hear from anyone with any information on the site’s history and any records of plants or animals that have been seen on the site.

By the end of March this year the plan will be completed and all those involved with Merkinch LNR are looking forward to see what it will come up with, and where funding could be found to take forward the suggested works.

In addition to the development plan two, seven foot (two metre), Caithness flagstone entrance markers will be installed on the canal footpath at the western end of the LNR and another at the turning circle by the old ferry slipway. These have been funded by the Community Economic Development Programme administered by HIE Inverness and East Highland and SNH.

Anyone with information on Merkinch LNR’s history or flora and fauna can contact Jonathan Willet, Highland Biodiversity Officer on 01463 702274 or jonathan.willet@highland.gov.uk.