At the start of 2025, the LLFT team along with wonderful volunteers, proudly completed a transformative riverbank restoration project on the Kirkhouse Burn, a tributary of the Blane River. This effort wasn’t just about restoring a bank; it was about safeguarding the future of a delicate ecosystem.
A deteriorating pipe had broken apart, causing unnatural erosion that threatened to alter the river’s course. Worse, the eroded soil was polluting the river, potentially harming aquatic life. On top of this, the bank had previously been planted with native trees by the LLFT a few years before, which were now endanger of being eroded away.
This image shows the extent of the damage caused by the pipe and shows the riverbank before any work had begun.
To tackle this, we turned to nature-inspired solutions, using green engineering techniques to rebuild and reinforce the riverbank.
The first step was to refill the eroded area with sediment. But this wasn’t just any sediment—we repurposed the material displaced when installing a new pipe further downstream. This way, we ensured the riverbank would be rebuilt with its original composition, maintaining the natural balance of the area.
Next came the hands-on part: reinforcing the bank. At the riverbank’s “toe” (where water meets land), we installed a mix of sturdy willow stakes and larch posts. These posts acted as anchors for an eco-friendly solution—brash bundles.
What are brash bundles? In this case, they were old, unwanted Christmas trees repurposed to buffer the river’s force. Stuffed behind the posts, these bundles act as natural sediment catchers, helping to stabilise the bank.
Then to ensure our great efforts aren’t washed away downstream, all the brash was wired down!
To ensure our method was future-focused we used live willow stakes (as mentioned before) and live willow branches for some willow weaving. We wove live willow branches through the posts to add an extra layer of resilience. Therefore, as the willow takes root and grows into trees, their roots will secure the bank even further, while offering shelter for local wildlife.
After trudging through sticky mud, hauling decomposing trees and almost taking off our thumbs with a hammer… the project was complete!
We’re optimistic that this riverbank restoration will withstand future high flows, with the deposited sediment playing a key role in rebuilding and stabilising the riverbank over time. Additionally, we anticipate that the willow stakes will bud this spring, gradually growing into lush riverside vegetation. As these trees take root and thrive, they’ll help secure the bank even further and enhance the habitat for local wildlife. With these efforts, we’re well on our way to restoring the Kirkhouse Burn to a more natural, self-sustaining state.
Thank you so much to everyone who came out to help; Colin, Bob, Han and Johnny. You all saved us from breaking our backs!
Interested in learning more or getting involved? Contact us!
