Overview
The Teith Restoration Initiative seeks to improve the biodiversity of the wider River Teith catchment. There is a focus on enhancement of riparian zones through works that benefit the wider functioning landscape as a whole. The initiative also seeks to improve knowledge of the catchment through monitoring processes, highlighted in the Teith Catchment Monitoring Project.
The River Teith catchment, a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) designated river, starts high up in the Braes of Balquhidder as the River Larig. The total catchment covers roughly 579km². The Larig flows east to reach Loch Doine and Voil where waters then discharge into the River Balvaig flowing towards the village of Strathyre. The river then connects to Loch Lubnaig where it discharges into the Garbh Uisge, locally known as the Leny. The Garbh Uisge joins the Eas Gobhain. This confluence is where the name River Teith begins. The Eas Gobhain is a tributary joining the main stem of the river. This arm of the catchment starts in Glen Gyle with the Glengyle Water which flows into Loch Katrine. Loch Katrine (the deepest loch in the Forth District) empties into Loch Achray via the Achray water followed by Loch Achray emptying into Loch Venachar via the Black Water. Loch Venachar then discharges into the Eas Gobhain which then joins the Garbh Uisge to form the River Teith.
The River Teith flows past Callander, making its way east towards Doune and then connecting to the River Forth at Stirling near Dobbies garden centre. The main tributaries of the catchment include the Ardoch, Annet, Keltie, Drunkie, Calair and Leny Burn.
Due to the special nature of the Teith and the pressures it faces, we hope to help recover habitats for wildlife within the catchment by working with landowners, agencies, communities and more to help tackle some of these pressures.
Objectives
- Have better quality in-stream habitat for fish and wildlife such as Atlantic salmon, sea/brown trout, eel, lamprey and freshwater pearl mussel
- Boost riparian habitats to support wildlife whilst combating the effects of climate change on rivers
- Improve floodplain connectivity, increase riparian tree cover and restore peatland in target areas of the catchment
- Through monitoring and research, continue to identify and learn about pressures and changes the catchment is experiencing, either positive or negative, so that action can be taken to benefit the holistic landscape
- Work with landowners and other stakeholders to enact land use changes that benefit both the land use and wildlife.
Funders
The Teith Restoration Initiative is a group of projects aiming to improve the Teith catchment for wildlife such as salmon, sea trout, lamprey, beaver and more. Funding for specific projects will be sourced but core funding and partners include Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, NatureScot and the Forth District Salmon Fishery Board.
Management of the Catchment
The Teith catchment has many pressures, some which can be fixed quickly, some which will take a number of organisations many years to remediate. The Trust was funded to review all of these pressures and create a management plan which will help guide activity in the years to come. This management plan is initially for five years but will be updated regularly to show change.Â
Forth and Teith Catchment Management Plan
To view the Forth and Teith catchment management plan please click here.