Discover
Visit Seven Lochs Wetland Park where ancient lochs, woodland walks, a wealth of wildlife and over 10,000 years of history are waiting to be discovered.
Things to see
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Ancient Lochs
The parks' lochs are kettle ponds, formed when the glaciers of the last ice age melted. Over the last 10,000 years the freshwater of these inland lochs has supported a vast array of wildlife as well as human habitation.
Today, the lochs and wetlands are home to a variety of wetland birds. Each winter majestic whooper swans make a 1000km journey from Iceland to the parks waters, grey heron hunt at the loch margins, while in spring great crested grebe perform their elaborate courtship dance. Hogganfield Loch and Drumpellier Country Park offer easy viewing of these birds.
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A Wealth of Wildlife
Explore the park's woodlands to discover bustling birdlife - brightly coloured bullfinch and goldfinch, buzzards soaring over the trees, secretive kingfishers, or the ghostly shape of a barn owl hunting at dusk.
At Bishop Loch you may catch a glimpse of roe deer, explore Gartcosh local nature reserve to see fast flying dragonflies and delicate damselflies, while two rare butterflies - the green hairstreak and the small pearl-bordered fritillary - can be found at Commonhead Moss, which is also home to insect-eating sundew plants!
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Human History
From Mesolithic stone tools to the remains of two Iron Age crannogs there's evidence that people have lived at Seven Lochs for over 10,000 years. Find out more at Seven Lochs: A History Shaped by Water.
Visit Bishop Loch to discover the medieval waterscape where the Bishops of Glasgow once had their country manor, and where the imposing towers of the Victorian Gartloch Hospital loom over the loch, or explore the important industrial waterway of the Monkland Canal at Drumpellier.
Things to do
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Walking and cycling
With almost 50km of paths around the park there are plenty of opportunities to explore the Seven Lochs by foot or bike. Parks and nature reserves offer a range of short, easy nature walks - perfect for people of all ages and abilities - as well as longer walks and bike rides for people looking to explore further.
The Seven Lochs Trail follows lochside paths and woodland walks through local nature reserves and past historic sites, and is a great way to explore the Park. The 10km signposted route links Drumpellier Country Park on the edge of Coatbridge to Hogganfield Park in Glasgow. Using well surfaced paths as well as short stretches along quiet roads the trail is suitable for walking and cycling. Download the trail here.
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Three Medal Routes have been developed to help visitors explore the wonderful woodland around Bishop Loch, or explore in a new way with A Sense of Bishop Loch Exploration Pack which has lots of creative ideas and innovative activities to help you make the most of your travels.
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The Monkland Canal drew water for all seven lochs within the park, and was fundamental to the industrial success of Glasgow and North Lanarkshire in the 18th / 19th centuries. A significant well preserved length of the canal survives in the park at Bargeddie, and makes for a peaceful stroll. You can also visit the nearby Summerlee Museum of Scottish Industrial Life where the Gartsherrie Branch of the canal can still survives in excellent condition.
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Play Wild!
Kids of all ages can let their imagination run wild at our crannog play area at Lochend Loch. Themed as an Iron Age dwelling - and populated with carved animals - you can climb, slide and swing through time.
Our
Go Wild at Seven Lochs [8Mb] Activity Pack includes 10 nature play activities to help you discover and explore the park, with step-by-step guides and fun activity sheets. Download the pack and share what you've done with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram!
About the park
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At over 16 sq km, the Seven Lochs Wetland Park is Scotland's largest urban heritage and nature park. The vision for the Seven Lochs Wetland Park is of a new park of national significance, sustaining and enhancing a high quality, innovative wetland environment that will:
- Protect and enhance biodiversity and heritage
- Promote health and well-being
- Contribute to environmental, economic and social regeneration.
Read the Seven Lochs Wetland Park vision and masterplan here.
A 5 year, £6.8million work programme is now underway, supported by a grant of £4.5million from the Heritage Lottery Fund, along with funding from Seven Lochs Partnership members and range of other funders. The park is still a 'work in progress', and over the next 4 years we will restore and enhance heritage and nature, develop new visitor facilities, create new paths and cycle routes, and offer a range of heritage learning and engagement opportunities for people of all ages.
Seven Lochs Partnership
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The Seven Lochs Partnership was established in April 2016 to;
- Develop the Seven Lochs Wetland Park as a major new heritage and nature park for Scotland
- Deliver the Heritage Lottery Fund supported Seven Lochs Heritage Project
- Drive forward the creation on a new Green Network extending from the Park into surrounding communities
Partnership members are:- Glasgow City Council
- North Lanarkshire Council
- Glenboig Development Trust
- Provan Hall Community Management Trust
- The Conservation Volunteers Scotland
- Forestry and Land Scotland
- NatureScot
- The Royal and Ancient
