About
The River Kelvin
The River Kelvin is about 35km (22 miles) long. It flows from the Dullatur Bog near the village of Kelvinhead east of Kilsyth to its confluence with the Clyde in Glasgow. Of the many burns that flow into the river there are three main tributaries, the Glazert Water, the Luggie Water, and the Allander Water.
At any time of the year, a walk along the banks of the Kelvin is one of the most rewarding experiences Glasgow has to offer. Today we take for granted the benefits that the Kelvin brings to visitors and to all of us who live or work in the west of Glasgow. But it is only in recent years that the River has become treasured as a rich natural habitat and a place of unspoiled beauty in the heart of the city.
Fifty years ago, the River Kelvin was dead - a chemical sewer poisoned by the products of decades of industry. Following the closure of the paper mills, chemical and dye works in the 50s and 60s, it has taken thirty years of cleansing rainfall to heal the damage. Now the fish have returned and its tree lined banks provide cover for dippers, kingfishers and other birds. The botanist will find a wide variety of plants, many of them rare and even exotic.
The Kelvin provides a unique environment in Glasgow, which needs to be protected and improved.
Read more about the River Kelvin
The Friends of the River Kelvin
A group of people who care passionately about the River and its wildlife set up the Friends of the River Kelvin (FORK) in 1991. FORK aims to continue the rehabilitation of Glasgow’s second river and to present it as a model for river regeneration within the European community.
FORK ensures we keep a healthy River by working with other bodies who are active on the Kelvin, including the City Council’s Land Services Department, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and Kelvin Clyde Greenspace. Hundreds of people now take part in activities on the Kelvin - angling, botany, education, canoeing, clean-ups, social history events, talks, walks and wildflower planting. Young FORK organises all sorts of activities for children, along the River and in Ha’penny Bridge House - FORK’s HQ on the Kelvin Walkway. There are also regular barbecues during the summer and a volunteer clean-up along the banks on the first Saturday morning of each month.
As part of the West End Festival, FORK organises a Gala on the River every year where hundreds of West-Enders enjoy live music, good food, puppet shows and the chance to try canoeing. The Scottish Wildlife Trust and the Glasgow Conjurers are just two of the many organisations who take part and help to make these events a great success.
Friends of the River Kelvin (Scottish Charity No: SC028920) was founded under the auspices of Keep Scotland Beautiful, Cathedral Square, Dunblane FK19 0AQ
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