Path upgrades at Chatelherault Country Park

Walkers and cyclists can now enjoy 10 km of upgraded pathways in Chatelherault Country Park.

Caley Construction undertook the reconstruction of paths throughout the park, from the Dukes Monument at Barncluith to the “Green” bridge at Fairholm.

Work to restore the White Bridge has already started.

The condition of the surrounding banks and stonework is, however, much worse than originally thought and the work will not be completed now until the summer of 2019. 

Over the next few weeks, the old bridge will be dismantled and the steel beams removed for cleaning and welding.  In the meantime, we ask all visitors to obey warning signs and not to attempt to cross the bridge.

The path upgrades are taking place as part of a wider woodland management programme at Chatelherault Country Park which aims to increase biodiversity, maintain historical features and improve access.

The programme included the recent felling of plantation conifers on the west side of the park in November 2016, and to the south west of the Visitor Centre in August 2017. This work has restored some fantastic views across the Avon gorge and the regenerating native woodland will greatly improve the whole park for wildlife. The income generated through the sale of felled timber has enabled the current path improvements.

The path improvements also compliment the recently completed Make your Way Project, linking communities of Hamilton, Larkhall and Quarter with Chatelherault Country Park.  View the trails here

The project was managed by South Lanarkshire Council and Central Scotland Green Network Trust. It was supported by Woodlands in and Around Towns (WIAT) as managed by the Forestry Commission and Heritage Lottery Fund and South Lanarkshire LEADER supported Clyde and Avon Valley Landscape Partnership (CAVLP).

Chair of South Lanarkshire Council’s Community and Enterprise Committee, Councillor John Anderson, said: “The woodlands at Chatelherault are one of the most important components of the ancient woodlands of the Clyde Valley National Nature Reserve, and one of the most biologically diverse natural habitats in Scotland. We are delighted that these path improvements make the park more accessible to all.”

Malcolm Muir, Head of Countryside and Greenspace said: “We thank visitors to Chatelherault Country Park for their patience during the ongoing path upgrades and the recent forestry work. 

“This much needed work has started the process of restoring of one of Scotland’s most important, historic landscapes and will also leave a path infrastructure that can cope with the 600,000 annual visitors from local communities and further afield, that the park receives.”

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