Opening date set for Glasgow’s new canal side nature reserve

Residents as well as visitors to the city are being invited to the opening of the new £8.85m Claypits nature reserve and associated works in North Glasgow, The Claypits, on the 31st of July for a fun-filled day of activities.

The opening of the Claypits, organised by Scottish Canals and canal side community groups, will celebrate the opening of a new nature reserve with an action-packed day of healthy, outdoor activities both on and off the water. There will be something for everyone on the day from paddle boarding to pond dipping and biking to boating.

The activities will kick off at 10am on the 31st of July at The Claypits Glasgow Inner City Nature Reserve, with activities and live music planned across the site both on the water and within the nature reserve. Scottish Canals are asking that any group or organisation wishing to get involved contact them by emailing communications@scottishcanals.co.uk.

The celebrations will focus on the transformation of the area including the Nature Reserve, new walkways, a new canal bridge and drainage infrastructure. It will also highlight the ability to embrace nature within the city whether it be by walking, wheeling, or cycling. The Claypits Glasgow Inner City Nature Reserve accessible to everyone and is conveniently located along the national cycling and walking network.

“Scottish Canals and our partners are delighted to be opening The Claypits in North Glasgow. The opening is a celebration of a community led environmental regeneration of a site previously associated with the city’s industrial heritage. The event recognises the strength of the local community - who will take on management of the site even after the challenges faced by the community during the pandemic.

I would encourage everyone to come along and make the most of the new nature reserve and try some of the activities on or off the water.”

David Blair, Revenue and Regeneration Director at Scottish Canals

The Claypits, which was once used to line the Forth & Clyde Canal with clay over 200 years ago, has transformed into an accessible inner-city nature reserve. The area will be managed on behalf of the wider surrounding community by a group of local volunteers, The Hamiltonhill Claypits Local Nature Reserve Management Group.