Galloway Rivers Trust

30/08/2026

Tracy and Sophie (GRT INNS team) have been out surveying the Himalayan balsam trial site on the Annan catchment following a further release of the rust fungus 5 weeks ago. The results look encouraging. Roughly 70% of the plants within the trial site have the rust on them showing that it' is establishing itself nicely. We will continue to monitor the progress of the rust in this area. In time the infected Himalayan balsam plants should show reduced vigour and seed production which will allow native plant species to be able to compete better with the balsam and return. It will take time, but we are hopeful the rust will spread amongst the Himalayan balsam in the Annan catchment providing a sustainable and long-term management of this INNS. We will be closely monitoring the situation to ensure all the balsam populations are susceptible to the specific rust strain we released.

This work is delivered as part of the GRT 'Scottish Solway INNS Control & Knowledge Programme' which is working with communities and stakeholders across most of Dumfries and Galloway. The programme is funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund Scotland

27/08/2026

Visiting the coast along Dumfries and Galloway or simply live nearby? Then perhaps you may have spotted one of our SCAMP INNS flyers that we have been distributing throughout local coastal communities over the past week.

As part of this project, Galloway Rivers Trust is partnering with SCAMP to help control and manage invasive non-native plant species (INNS) along our coastlines. Our priority species include:
• Japanese knotweed
• American skunk cabbage
• Giant hogweed
• Himalayan balsam
• Gunnera sp.

These species are of particular concern due to their significant impacts on native biodiversity and the wider environment. Once established, they can be difficult to eradicate and costly to manage, particularly in dynamic coastal environments where wind, water, wildlife, and human activity can all contribute to their spread.
To help raise awareness, we have distributed flyers across coastal towns and communities throughout Dumfries and Galloway. By reporting sightings of invasive non-native species along the coastline, you can help us better understand the scale of the issue, identify priority treatment areas, and support efforts to protect and restore our valuable coastal habitats.

Solway Coast and Marine Project Dumfries and Galloway Council Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere Solway Firth Partnership RSPB Scotland The Southern Uplands Partnership Dumfries & Galloway Woodlands Crichton Carbon Centre Dumfries and Galloway! Whats Going on ? The National Lottery Heritage Fund Scotland

25/08/2026

This is really exciting stuff!

21/08/2026

GRT have secured funding from the European Open Rivers Programme – a grant giving organization dedicated to restoring rivers – for work to remove the Broom Caul.

This caul, or weir, is one of two significant barriers to fish migration and river processes on the Water of Milk, a major tributary of the River Annan.

The first phase of work will design the removal process, to be followed by delivery in 2027. On this project we are working closely with the River Annan District Salmon Fishery Board, Whitehill (land owner), The Wild Trout Trust and contractors CBEC eco-engineering UK & EuropeLtd

For more information:

Galloway River Trust has secured funding from the European Open Rivers Programme for work to remove the Broom Caul. As part of our work to restore the river habitats of the River Annan catchment, the removal of this caul, or weir, has been identified as a priority action.

18/08/2026

What’s hiding beneath the sea surface?
During our recent coastal seine netting at Garlieston Beach (part of SCAMP), we found Golden grey mullet and a juvenile Garfish among the catch!

Did you know?
Golden grey mullet are the rarest mullet species in Scotland, typically found in warmer South England waters. They have a distinctive golden patch on the gill cover, which helps distinguish them from other grey mullet species.

Garfish are a migratory pelagic fish species, with a needle-like appearance that can grow up to 1m long! A pigment called biliverdin causes their skeleton to be naturally green! Garfish have been known to use seagrass beds as spawning areas and as adults are usually found in open water.

Moments like these give us a fascinating glimpse into the biodiversity of our coastal waters and the species that call them home. It was great to be able to show these species off to Councillors Carolyne Wilson, Davie Stitt and John Denerley from D&G Council.

Join Emilie and the GRT team at Garlieston during the Wigtown Book Festival where you can get the chance to witness the sampling first hand!

Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere Solway Coast and Marine Project Dumfries and Galloway Council Dumfries and Galloway! Whats Going on ? Dumfries & Galloway Woodlands RSPB Scotland Solway Coast and Marine Project Solway Firth Partnership Crichton Carbon Centre The Southern Uplands Partnership

17/08/2026

Are you out and about in Dumfries and Galloway enjoying it's beautiful coast? Did you know you could help us protect native biodiversity by reporting Invasive Non Native Species (INNS) using the following form ( https://arcg.is/1ryvLi2 )

SCAMP and Galloway Rivers Trust (GRT) are working to identify populations of Himalayan balsam, Japanese knotweed, American skunk cabbage, Giant hogweed and Gunnera sp. Once established, these species can be difficult and costly to manage, particularly in dynamic coastal environments where wind, water movement, and human activity can contribute to their spread.

Your sightings will help us understand the scale of the problem and the distribution of these species in order to create an effective management plan in the delivery stage of SCAMP.
Solway Coast and Marine Project Dumfries and Galloway Council Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere Solway Firth Partnership RSPB Scotland The Southern Uplands Partnership Dumfries & Galloway Woodlands Crichton Carbon Centre Dumfries and Galloway! Whats Going on ?

16/08/2026

An update of staffing at Galloway Rivers Trust.

Welcome back Luke! Our Habitats and Climate Resilience Officer has returned after taking a year off to travel various wild and wonderful areas of Eastern Europe and Morocco.

Adam recently joined us for 6 months as an intern supporting Heather on our Riverwoods Development Project on the River Luce and gaining experience on various GRT work programmes. Adam has a Zoology degree from Liverpool University. He joins us with relevant experience from seasonal work at the Environment Agency. The internship is supported by Glenkens Community & Art Trust, Cultural Glenkens, Riverwoods and The National Lottery Heritage Fund Scotland, thanks to National Lottery Players).

David started with us last month as our summer field work assistant and has been working hard on supporting lots of our projects already. David grew up in Galloway, and as a keen angler is particularly interested in improving local rivers and their fish populations. He studied Marine Biology at Heriot Watt and will be returning to complete a Masters in September.

15/08/2026

New date for Kirkcowan Fishing Competition 12th September 2026!
As reported previously, it has been agreed to postpone the fishing competition as the river is low and warm at the moment. These conditions are not good for fish or fishing. Rain is forecast in the next few days but unlikely to be enough to make a substantial difference.

The new date is Saturday 12th September.

13/08/2026

Our Kirkcudbrightshire Dee European Eel Study and Restoration Project, supported by Drax Group UK, is well underway with the licenced trapping and translocation of critically endangered European eel elvers (young eels) from Tongland Dam. This project is managed by Saoirse.

Although the fish ladder at Tongland Dam allows migratory fish such as salmonids to bypass the dam, the chambers are too high and do not have adequate substrate for migrating elvers to climb. In a previous study, GRT identified that elvers, gathering in large numbers and trying to unsuccessfully ascend the ladder, could be successfully trapped and translocated elsewhere.

Drax – the current operator of the Galloway Hydro Scheme – are supporting an exciting five-year project that will explore monitoring elver returns and the sites to which they may be translocated, the use of eel data on a local and national scale, and how best to engage a variety of audiences in this important fish species.

Translocating elvers from Tongland Dam where they face an impassable barrier provides them with vital access to important habitats. They will grow into yellow eels and remain in these habitats for up to 20 years before transforming into silver eels ready for their extraordinary journey back to the Sargasso Sea.

13/08/2026

Kirkcowan Fishing Competition postponed.

The River Bladnoch is very low at the moment. Although some rain in forecast on Monday we don't think it will be enough to make much difference to the river for the fishing competition on Saturday 22nd August. A low and warm river is not good for fishing or fish welfare so we are looking to run it in September instead. We are just organising a new date and will publicise once sorted.

Sorry for the inconvenience.