East Lammermuir rivers project moves to next phase of restoration planning

Following catchment surveys, 2 East Lammermuir burns – the Dry Burn and Spott Burn – are being further studied to quantify the restoration potential of these waters and their surrounding habitats.

This development-stage project is a partnership effort between Sustaining Dunbar and Forth Rivers Trust, funded with thanks to the Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Fund, managed by NatureScot. The project has a long-term vision for the East Lammermuirs: to help create a healthier, more connected landscape where rivers can function more naturally, biodiversity can recover, and local communities have a greater role in shaping the future of their environment.

In 2025, following support from the Neighbourhood Ecosystem Fund and match funding from the East Lammermuir Community Benefits Fund, foundations were laid for further restoration studies: catchment surveys began, and community engagement took place. Conversations have begun with community groups, landowners and all interested parties.

The East Lammermuirs project is now moving into its next year of development work following initial surveys, with the focus now on the Dry Burn and Spott Burn catchments. This next phase of the project will explore restoration opportunities in much greater detail.

Catchment Restoration Development Officer, Jenny Gries, from Sustaining Dunbar, will work with landowners and land managers to understand their aspirations; and the project aims to identify where restoration could work alongside existing land uses, and develop a portfolio of credible, fundable opportunities that could move towards delivery.

A variety of sites facing challenges have been identified in and around the East Lammermuir coastal burns in initial surveys. These include historic modification of river channels and banks, poor riparian buffers, track erosion, diffuse pollution, invasive non-native species, and redundant weirs that can prevent gravel, insects, and fish from moving freely through the catchment.

The East Lammermuirs project is about looking at these locations facing challenges as opportunities for positive change, where realistic. With potential restoration opportunities identified, where suitable, options could include: reconnecting rivers with their floodplains, encouraging more natural meandering, creating wetlands and ponds, planting of riparian woodland, improving buffer areas, removing barriers to fish migration, and creating hedgerows and other wildlife corridors that reconnect fragmented habitats.

A key part of this work is the partnership’s community focus: restoration at this scale cannot be achieved by any one organisation alone. Sustaining Dunbar and Forth Rivers Trust are working to bring together local knowledge, enthusiasm and expertise, while creating opportunities for communities and volunteers to become more closely involved with their local rivers.

The project is in a development phase, an important step towards restoration on the ground. Through taking time to understand the catchments, listen to local people, and work with landowners, this work can help ensure that future restoration projects are well-designed, locally supported and capable of delivering lasting benefits for people and nature.

If you are located within the East Lammermuir catchments and would like to find out more, stay tuned on our social media channels for updates, and explore further details at the links below.

More information:

https://sustainingdunbar.org/river-catchment-restoration-project/

https://summit-to-sea.uk/