Local Nature Reserves in South Lanarkshire

Fernbrae Meadows is a local nature reserve where you can enjoy walking, cycling and wildlife in a large public greenspace on the western edge of South Lanarkshire.

Visit Fernbrae Meadows

Fernbrae Meadows sits beside Fernhill and Cathkin. It offers over 20 hectares of open space, with paths and cycle routes for you to explore. Whether you want a short walk, a cycle or a quieter place to enjoy nature, you can visit at any time.

What you can see and do

You can explore a mix of habitats across the reserve, including:

• wildflower meadows
• woodland
• wetlands and marshy grassland

These habitats support a wide range of plants and wildlife and change through the seasons, making each visit different.

About the site

We created Fernbrae Meadows in 2018 and 2019 by transforming the former Blairbeth Golf Course into a public greenspace. It is now part of a wider network of local nature reserves across South Lanarkshire, helping protect nature while giving people more places to visit outdoors.

Find out more or get involved

You can read more about how we manage the site in the Fernbrae Meadows Local Nature Reserve management statement.

If you would like to ask a question or get involved, email the Countryside and Greenspace Service.

Notice of Fernbrae Meadows 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 Fernbrae Meadows, Rutherglen 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 Countryside and Greenspace Service.

Date of Notice: 8 March 2022