Nethan Gorge

Nethan Gorge is a natural gorge carved by the River Nethan, in South Lanarkshire, Scotland.

Lower Nethan Gorge
Part of the Clyde Valley Woodlands National Nature Reserve
Lower Nethan Gorge shown within South Lanarkshire
LocationSouth Lanarkshire, Scotland, United Kingdom
Nearest cityLanark
Coordinates55°41′48.9763″N 3°52′55.9483″W
Governing bodyScottish Wildlife Trust
scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/reserve/lower-nethan-gorge/
Upper Nethan Gorge
Part of the Clyde and Avon Valley Landscape Partnership
and Clyde Valley Woodlands National Nature Reserve
Upper Nethan Gorge shown within South Lanarkshire
LocationSouth Lanarkshire, Scotland, United Kingdom
Nearest cityLesmahagow
Coordinates55°41′2.648″N 3°54′27.4095″W
Governing bodyScottish Wildlife Trust
scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/reserve/upper-nethan-gorge/

Geography

Nethan Gorge is split into two officially designated and actively protected Sites of Special Scientific Interest, Lower Nethan Gorge and Upper Nethan Gorge.

Both sites are referred to as nature reserves by the owner, the Scottish Wildlife Trust. They are also both contributing reserves to the Clyde Valley Woodlands National Nature Reserve.

Lower Nethan Gorge

The Lower Nethan Gorge reserve, near Lanark, is one of the best examples of semi-natural woodland still surviving in the Clyde Valley.[1] Ash and elm woodlands grow on its steep slopes.[1]

The gorge is home to many species of flora and fauna, including green woodpeckers, otters, and badgers.[1]

Lower Nethan Gorge was declared a part of the Clyde Valley Woodlands National Nature Reserve in 2007.[2]

Upper Nethan Gorge

The Upper Nethan Gorge reserve, near Blackwood and Lesmahagow, is part of the Clyde and Avon Valley Landscape Partnership and the Clyde Valley Woodlands National Nature Reserve.[3]

The reserve's woodlands support a large range of species, including locally uncommon plants such as broad-leaved helleborine (Epipactis helleborine), wood melick (Melica uniflora), and meadow saxifrage (Saxifraga granulata).[3]

Great spotted woodpeckers and buzzards can also be seen. [3]

See also
  • Sites of Special Scientific Interest in Scotland
  • Protected areas of South Lanarkshire

References
  1. "Lower Nethan Gorge reserve". Scottish Wildlife Trust. Retrieved 22 January 2012.
  2. "The Story of the Clyde Valley Woodlands National Nature Reserve" (PDF). Scotland's National Nature Reserves. Scottish Natural Heritage. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 November 2014. Retrieved 22 January 2012.
  3. "Upper Nethan Gorge reserve". Scottish Wildlife Trust. Retrieved 22 January 2012.
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