The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has granted £4.5 million for a park improvement project in North Lanarkshire.

The £6.5m Seven Lochs Wetland Park scheme aims to create a new hub for heritage conservation, learning and engagement by bringing together 16km2 of lochs, parks, nature reserves and woodlands between Glasgow and Coatbridge.

Features include creating improved visitor facilities as well as restoring Provan Hall, one of the oldest buildings in Glasgow.


Walking and cycling routes will also be developed to link the gateway sites, while upgrades will be carried out to paths, signage, interpretation and management across the whole park.

Cllr Maureen Burke said: "This is a unique project and a considerable amount of effort has been put in by partners and local communities. We are thrilled to receive this funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund which allows us to move forward with the development of the Seven Lochs Wetland Park."

Lucy Casot, Head of the HLF in Scotland, added: "HLF is delighted to support this ground-breaking project which will develop nature-based tourism within a mostly urban environment. Thanks to players of the National Lottery, both the history and natural heritage of the area will be protected and celebrated bringing economic benefit to local communities and Scotland as a whole."

(LM/CD)