Keltneyburn Meadow and Pond Enhancement
Restoring a Site of Special Scientific Interest
At Keltneyburn, the Scottish Wildlife Trust has carried out vital work to protect a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Special Area of Conservation (SAC), home to nationally scarce wildflowers and priority species of butterflies. Over time blackthorn had begun to encroach on the wildflower meadow, threatening the open habitat required by key pollinators and orchid species. Through this Nature Restoration Fund supported project, significant steps were taken to improve the conditions of the site.
Enhancing the Meadow
A contractor was appointed to clear four large stands of blackthorn from the wildflower meadow, covering around 2,520 square metres. Using specialist machinery, all areas were successfully cleared over just two days. This intervention will benefit butterflies such as the Northern Brown Argus and Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary, and protect the diversity of wildflowers found here - including eight species of orchid like the Small White and Greater Butterfly Orchid.
The image shows the
contractor working to clear the first
compartment of blackthorn.
Bringing a Pond Back to Life
In addition to meadow management, a long-lost nature pond on site was reinstated. Over time, the pond had filled with silt and vegetation, becoming unsuitable for wildlife. The pond was dug out and the edges reprofiled using heavy machinery in March 2025, restoring 1,200 square metres of pond habitat for dragonflies, amphibians and aquatic invertebrates.
Due to the steepness of the new pond edges, a protective fence will be installed by the Scottish Wildlife Trust Reserves team to ensure safety for both visitors and the conservation sheep that graze nearby. These measures ensure the pond can thrive as a healthy wetland habitat while supporting future land management through conservation grazing.
Images: left: pond as it was prior to the works, completely overgrown with plant material and silt. Right, works in progress. Below: the wildlife pond now clear after digging works have taken place, with reprofiled edges.
PROJECT MADE POSSIBLE VIA PERTH AND KINROSS COUNCIL NATURE RESTORATION FUNDING
"The Nature Restoration Fund has supported the restoration of both the wildflower meadow and pond within the Keltneyburn wildlife reserve. The meadow attracts a kaleidoscope of butterflies, including the Northern Brown Argus and Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary priority species. Many plants flourish here, but the meadow is particularly noted for eight species of orchid, including the Small White and Greater Butterfly Orchids. We have been able to clear large areas of invasive blackthorn encroaching on the meadow, to increase the amount of favourable SSSI habitat. A 1,200msq pond within the reserve was overgrown with plant material and backed up with silt. This project involved clearing the pond and reprofiling the edges, to restore this oasis for dragonflies and invertebrate species. We are grateful to Perth & Kinross Council for supporting this wildlife reserve that has open access for the public to visit, bringing ongoing health and wellbeing benefits for people in the area – and for those who visit to get close to the rare species of orchids and butterflies that find refuge here". Rab Potter – Reserves Manager North East, Scottish Wildlife Trust
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