Local Nature Reserves in South Lanarkshire

Morgan Glen is a local nature reserve on the edge of Larkhall where you can enjoy peaceful woodland walks along the River Avon. You can explore scenic paths, take in views over the gorge and discover local wildlife. The site is free to visit and can be reached on foot from Larkhall or from Chatelherault.

About the site

Morgan Glen sits between the town of Larkhall and the River Avon. It is a semi-natural woodland gorge with established walking routes beside the river. The glen is named after John Morgan, who gifted the land to the people of Larkhall in 1939.

Nature and wildlife

The woodland forms part of the wider Clyde Valley woodland network and includes important riverside habitats. A large part of the site is protected as the Avondale Site of Special Scientific Interest. It is also part of the Clyde Valley Woodlands Special Area of Conservation.

These designations recognise the value of the area for wildlife. You may see a range of plants and animals, including some that are rare in the local area.

Walking routes

You can reach Morgan Glen using local footpaths:

• from Larkhall
• from Chatelherault Country Park

Paths follow the river and pass through woodland, offering a mix of gentle routes and steeper sections in the gorge.

Find out more or get involved

Morgan Glen is one of several local nature reserves designated in 2022. You can read more about how the site is managed in the Local Nature Reserve management statement.

If you would like to get involved or ask a question, contact our Countryside and Greenspace team.

Notice of Morgan Glen Local Nature Reserve - No. 1 Declaration 2022

Notice is hereby given that, in pursuance of Sections 19 and 21 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949, on 27 January 2022, South Lanarkshire Council declared that it intends to manage land situated at Morgan Glen, Larkhall in the South Lanarkshire Council area and shown delineated within black boundaries on the Plan attached to said Declaration, as a Local Nature Reserve. In declaring this site as a Local Nature Reserve, the council aims to recognise and protect the area for its biodiversity, cultural history, educational and recreational value. The site is of local value due to its wildlife, natural environment and use by the community; through designation as a Local Nature Reserve, the council will maintain open access to this site for recreation and continue to work with the local community to make improvements for both nature and people.

Publication/inspection of documents

The National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 requires South Lanarkshire Council to publish Notice of such Declarations in such manner as appears to them best suited for informing persons concerned. In terms of the Coronavirus (Scotland) Act 2020 Schedule 6 Part 3 Paragraph 9, South Lanarkshire Council are of the view that giving notice of where copies of the documentation may be inspected, or making them available for inspection in a particular manner, may give rise to a significant risk of the transmission of coronavirus, or is likely to be ineffective or inappropriate due to action taken in order to control the incidence or transmission of coronavirus and is therefore publishing this Notice and the Plan referred to here on our website. 

Enquiries

Any enquiries regarding this Notice or the Declaration should be sent by email or by post to the Countryside and Greenspace Service.

Date of Notice: 8 March 2022