Stane Gardens (Shotts)
A walk at Shotts train station.
Stane Gardens in Shotts is a fairly new community green space less than ten minutes walk from Shotts . Historically the site was home to the Shotts Iron Works—an iron and brass foundry dating from 1801. It has since undergone extensive clean-up and restoration but our photos from a very grey & muddy November afternoon may not do it justice though!
Between 2012 and 2015 around 46,000m³ of contaminated topsoil was removed, protective membranes to contain any further risk were laid and the South Calder Water was deculverted. Taking the river out of its concrete channel and allowing it to develop a more natural habitat again for this stretch is definitely a big improvement for the local wildlife & ecosystem.
The River Restoration Centre has an article about the site clean up with a couple of in-progress photos which you can view at www.therrc.co.uk/blog/south-calder-water-stane-gardens
