Come and visit The Saltings, near Old Kilpatrick - West Dunbartonshire's only nature reserve
About The Saltings
The Saltings is located near the Erskine Bridge and is bounded by the River Clyde and the Forth and Clyde Canal. The views down the River Clyde are stunning and Dumbarton Rock can be seen in the distance.
It's an area around 19 hectares made up of regenerated woodland and meadow. It is noted for its wetland habitats.
The marshy grassland is home to hundreds of wild orchids and different types of butterflies like the Peacock and Orange-tip. Common Blue Damselflies and Common Hawk dragonflies as well as bird species like Cormorant, Swans and Grey Herons are commonly found here whilst the less frequent Curlew and Oyster Catcher can also be found.
The reserve is managed by the Council and offers a well constructed path network that is wheelchair friendly and for visitors to the site there are new welcoming interpretation panels which tell the history of the area and give information of wildlife that you are likely to spot at The Saltings.
The History of The Saltings
The building of the Erskine Bridge in the late 1960's changed the habitat of the Saltings. Poor quality marshy farmland was filled in with rubble to carry the foundations of the bridge. Much of the plant life of the time was destroyed but nature has recolonised the site and new habitat types have been formed on the site. There are areas of wildflower meadow, woodland and saltmarsh.
Directions to The Saltings
Access to The Saltings Local Nature Reserve is from Erskine Ferry Road, Old Kilpatrick G60 5EU
Please follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code when visiting The Saltings.
