This week’s episode of Countryfile featured the stunning Clyde Valley and explores the fantastic landscapes, habitats and species that can be seen in this part of Scotland.

During the programme Ellie Harrison visits Falls Of Clyde Wildlife Reserve to look at the rich variety of wildflowers found in the ancient woodlands, and the dippers that thrive on this stretch of the river.

Their timing was spot on – the weather was perfect, the wildflowers were looking great, and a dipper presented itself for the camera right on cue!

We had a lovely afternoon filming in the sunshine while looking out for wood anemone, wood sorrel, bluebells, sanicle and moschatel.

Many woodland plants bloom before the leaves on the trees come out, but our boardwalk wildflower trail is updated constantly through the summer, as an ever changing array of species come into flower.

These ancient woodlands at Falls of Clyde are incredibly rich in wildlife including, badgers and several species of bat. Ancient woodland covers only 1% of Scotland, so it’s crucial to protect and improve these patches as we have been doing at the Falls of Clyde.

We are removing non-native confers to allow the native broadleaf woodland to re-establish itself, and it is equally important to re-connect these wildlife hotspots by planting more native woodland, and employing sensitive management techniques to create or strengthen habitat networks.

Steve Blow, Reserves Manager

Countryfile’s episode on the Clyde Valley is available to watch again on iPlayer.