Image of Linn Park

Linn Park

 

The park is located south of Cathcart and can be entered via Clarkston Road, Old Castle Road or Simshill Road.

Status - City Wide SINC

Grid Reference NS585595            



Description

Bounded on its western edge by the White Cart Water, the park covers over 48 hectares and includes areas of woodland, wetland, scrub and former pasture. The park is wild in aspect, focusing around the steep-sided wooded river valley. It is important for the extensive number of plants and animals it supports, many of which are uncommon in Glasgow. Otters are regularly sighted along the river, which is a haven for birds like Kingfisher and Dipper, and fish such as Atlantic Salmon and Brown Trout. Roe Deer feed in the woodland clearings and Moschatel, Toothwort and Hard Shield-fern are amongst the locally rare plants found in the park.

Habitat types

  • River
    The White Cart Water runs through a wooded valley, much of which is steep-sided. An uncommon fish, the Bullhead, is found here along with Atlantic Salmon, Brown Trout, Pike, Three-spined Stickleback and Minnow.

  • Woodland
    Semi-natural woodland of Sycamore, Ash, Beech, Oak, Lime and Wych Elm covers the river valley sides. Ferns, Ramsons, Bluebells and Bramble flourish amongst a diversity of other woodland ground flora.
    A long band of planted woodland connects the woodlands of the riverbank and the small Linn Crematorium tributary valley. Pine and spruce form much of the cover with some deciduous trees towards the margins.


 

Animal Life

image of a kingfisher  image of a dipper

 

 

 

 

 

Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) is one of the most brilliantly coloured birds in Europe and is most often seen as a flash of blue streaking just above the water surface. They are seen regularly in Linn Park.

 

 

 

 

 

Dipper (Cinclus cinclus) is unmistakable with its conspicuous white chest and habit of constantly bobbing whilst standing in rivers and streams. It feeds on large invertebrates, such as caddis fly larvae, found on the river bed. The presence of this bird on a river is usually a sign of good water quality.



Plant Life

image of tootworth

image of ramsons

image of primrose

 

Toothwort (Lathraea squamaria) is one of the unusual plants found along the White Cart Water. It is parasitic, having no green leaves, and grows on the roots of various trees.

 

Ramsons (Allium ursinum) grows in damp woods along the riverbanks at Linn Park, exuding a wonderful smell of garlic in spring and summer. Star-like whi

 

 

Primrose (Primula vulgaris) produces pale lemon flowers as early as March in woodlands and grasslands. It is not common in Glasgow but grows well in Linn Parkte flowers appear in April to June.