The Trust has reopened the Visitor Centre and launched an exciting new visitor experience at its flagship site, the Falls of Clyde at New Lanark, just in time for the peregrine season.
The Visitor Centre was officially re-opened by South Scotland MSP Claudia Beamish at a ceremony yesterday (Thursday 21st March).
Guide and storyteller Allison Galbraith will conduct Victorian Grand Tours of the wildlife reserve in period costume throughout the summer season. In Victorian times the Falls of Clyde inspired such artists as J.M.W. Turner and William Wordsworth. Thanks to protection through the years and management by the Scottish Wildlife Trust today, the Falls are now an iconic, integral part of the Clyde Valley National Nature Reserve.
The Visitor Centre, which has been closed since December will be open every day, but only staffed at busy times, meaning that more staff time can be spent developing new activities for visitors to the whole site. The Visitor Centre has been refreshed with the addition of a giant tree and badger mural, illustrated by Iain McIntosh, illustrator of many Alexander McCall Smith novels.
More arts and crafts events will take place in the new ‘Clyde Room’ than ever before, including basket weaving, stained glass making and a photography workshop. The events and activities programme will increase on the reserve, including ‘luxury badger watches’ for the discerning visitor and a wild woodland adventure festival for children.
The Visitor Centre will include a big screen showing live footage from a new camera positioned over the Clyde gorge. This camera will capture the peregrines as adults breed and newborn birds take their first flights. Footage will be broadcast around the world on the Scottish Wildlife Trust website – click here to view the camera. At the Peregrine Watch Site, a short walk from the Visitor Centre, experts will help visitors to spot the peregrines, which can be seen at close range, just the other side of the narrow gorge.
The Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Operation Peregrine, supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery, ensures round the clock protection for these very special birds.
Aside from breeding peregrines, the Falls of Clyde wildlife reserve is best known for woodland walks, including a very good chance to spot a badger, a notoriously elusive creature. The reserve lies next to the UNESCO World Heritage Site at New Lanark, a model community made famous under the management of Robert Owen in the early 19th century. The restored village and tranquil wildlife reserve combine to make one of Scotland’s best days out.
The Scottish Wildlife Trust Visitor Centre will be more visible at New Lanark than ever before. New flags have been installed in the village which include badger photographs taken by Elliott Neep.
Speaking following the re-opening of the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Visitor Centre at the Falls of Clyde, South Scotland MSP Claudia Beamish said:
“As someone who has enjoyed spotting wildlife in the Falls of Clyde for many years I was privileged to be asked to officially re-open the Visitor Centre.
“The refresh has given the centre a new lease of life and I am hugely impressed by the range of activities now on offer for visitors or all ages.
“As a former teacher and eco-schools co-ordinator, I am particularly pleased to see a focus on educational activities that will inspire young people to get out and learn about the wildlife in the area from badgers to peregrine falcons.
“The Falls of Clyde is a huge draw for tourists and I am convinced that the improved Visitor Centre and activities will help to enhance that reputation further.”