Visitors to Kilmardinny Loch can take a pew on a new carved log seat that’s more like a work of art than a bench, following an initiative between East Dunbartonshire Council Neighbourhood Services and the Kilmardinny PALS.

Carved out of a large felled beech log by Iain Chalmers from the Black Isle’s Chainsaw Creations and designed by children from Bearsden and Mosshead Primary Schools, the bench features a pike, a frog and a dragonfly as well as a variety of other wildlife.

Head of Roads and Neighbourhood Services at East Dunbartonshire Council, David Devine, said: "This project has been very much supported by the local community and it’s great that local school children have taken such an active role in its design. The Loch is a Local Nature Reserve and has great importance in the area. The bench looks excellent and we are very pleased with the results."

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Andy MacGregor, Chair of Kilmardinny PALS added: "Both Chainsaw Creations and our local school pupils have done a truly fantastic job with the bench – not only is it somewhere for walkers to have a rest but it is also a work of art that fits perfectly into its natural surroundings. We have received lots of positive comments are delighted with the overall project."

Other improvements to the area include the installation of two plinths informing the public that the area is a Local Nature Reserve. These were designed by Kilmardinny PALS, part funded by Scottish Natural Heritage and the Central Scotland Green Network and gifted by monumental stonemasons T. McGowan and Sons in Castlemilk. Over 100 young trees, provided by the Council, were planted around the woodlands while in Mosshead Park, 13 exotic trees including a Dawn Redwood and Weeping Ash have been planted.

(GK)