Inchewan Riparian Project

Firstly, the in-stream engineering that was installed when Birnam was bypassed by the A9 was breaking down and was now providing an effective barrier to the passage of migratory fish.

Secondly, the tree cover around much of the burn was very dense, causing heavy shading of the watercourse during the summer months. This had the effect of keeping the water very cool and reducing the insect life that a whole range of other aquatic species depended on, including fish (see picture)

In addition, much of the bankside vegetation had been shaded out, making the banks much more liable to erosion.

John, an active member of the Tay Ghillies Association, set up a casting school to fund conservation works on the river and began contacting government agencies which could help him with this new project.

Survey/ Report Work
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) put him in contact with the River Restoration Centre, which surveyed the failed engineering works and recommended a thorough plan to address this situation. The works detailed in the report are to be implemented shortly by Transport Scotland, who will be investing considerably in the project.

Money raised by the casting school was used to commission a report (undertaken by Scottish Native Woods in Aberfeldy) on the woodland cover in the catchment.

The Tay Liason Committee and the Dunkeld & Birnam Angling Association also kindly contributed money towards this thorough appraisal of the current habitat condition.

Collaboration
Atholl Estates provided permission for use of their riverbank upstream of Dunkeld bridge to allow the casting school a home in which to flourish, and help from Perth and Kinross Council was also invaluable in getting the school off the ground. Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) organized a “Working with Rivers” seminar in the Birnam Institute in September 2006, and the Inchewan Burn Restoration Project was used as a focal point for this.

The Tay District Salmon Fisheries Board helped by re-stocking the burn with juvenile salmon over three years, fish not having managed to reach the burn in the recent past. The two landowners in the catchment, Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) and Murthly & Strathbraan Estates, have been supportive from the outset.

Work Programme
The work that has just started involves the Forestry Commission taking back the edge of its commercial plantation some 30 yards from the burn and letting in more light. In May/ June, the in-stream engineering works are due to commence.

Next winter, a proportion of the non-native trees along the burn will be thinned out to allow more light to penetrate from the southern bank, leaving a higher proportion of native broadleaved species, which naturally let in more light and create a more dappled shade, better suited to both plant and insect life.

Discussions are ongoing with Perth and Kinross Countryside Trust to provide suitable interpretation, similar to that used for the Perthshire Big Tree Country campaign.

Seating will also be provided halfway up the walk. Local primary school children will plant some trees to finish the project, in early spring 2008. The project is already acting as a stimulus to others to undertake other similar riparian conservation works, both locally and throughout the Tay catchment.

Scottish Native Woods in Aberfeldy has been recently re-engaged to help manage the project through to completion, and will be providing information locally prior to each of the important phases taking place.

For any further information on the Inchewan Burn Project or for any media enquiries, please feel free to contact John Monteith on 07968 145033 or jock@salmon-fish-scotland.com