Rotten Calder
Encyclopedia
The Rotten Calder is a river to the east of East Kilbride
, South Lanarkshire
, Scotland
.
It begins as the Calder Water or 'Park Burn', formed from various burns around Auldhouse which drain from the Eldrig Hills. The burn increases in size around Langlands Moss and more properly becomes the Calder Water. This river has also been titled the 'West' or 'South Calder Water', although the latter title is shared by another river in Motherwell. Upon being joined by the Rotten Burn to the south-east of East Kilbride, the river becomes the Rotten Calder Water. 'Water' is a term used in Scotland to denote a small river.
The Rotten Calder Water runs through a romantic gorge titled Calderglen. Where it flows through East Kilbride Parish, this area of the gorge is under the jurisdiction of Calderglen Country Park, run by South Lanarkshire Council. Over 150 nature trails border the river
on both banks, in addition to the forest
which occupies the slopes. Otter
, Roe Deer
and European Green Woodpecker can be seen if you're lucky in the southern reaches of the park. The river flows by the site of Calderwood Castle(demolished 1947-1951). The gorge of the Rotten Calder Water was in the past celebrated in countless books and poems for its romantic grandeur and lush ivy-tied crags. Many traces of 18th and 19th century landscape additions can be traced in the park, as well as old mines and quarries. After passing under the General's Bridge at Stoneymeadow, the Water flows by Crossbasket Castle (House) and on through the former estates of Greenhall and Milheugh where the valley is seen to give way to wide flood plains. After Milheugh the river again regains its steep gorge and flows through romantic scenery before flowing into the River Clyde near Bothwell Castle. There are many waterfalls on the river, these are Flatt Linn, Crutherland Linn, Torrance Linn (Fairy Linn or Walk Fort Linn,) Black Linn, Trough Linn, Calderwood Linn, Crossbasket Linn, Horseshoe Falls, Old Horseshoe Falls, Small Falls, and Milheugh Falls
East Kilbride Angling Club have the fishing rights and stock the river with brown trout each year. Permits available from Lightbody Quality Butchers of Murray Square East Kilbride.
The river flows via the north side of Blantyre before joining the River Clyde
opposite Daldowie
. The Valley of the Rotten Calder hides many secrets including hermitages, islets, caves, crannies, ancient markings, fountains, fairy wells, countless waterfalls, over 200 nature trails, summerhouses, ruined castles, steep cliffs, etc.... some of the most romantic, rugged & beautiful scenery in Scotland.
East Kilbride
East Kilbride is a large suburban town in the South Lanarkshire council area, in the West Central Lowlands of Scotland. Designated as Scotland's first new town in 1947, it forms part of the Greater Glasgow conurbation...
, South Lanarkshire
South Lanarkshire
South Lanarkshire is one of 32 unitary council areas of Scotland, covering the southern part of the former county of Lanarkshire. It borders the south-east of the city of Glasgow and contains many of Glasgow's suburbs, commuter towns and smaller villages....
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
.
It begins as the Calder Water or 'Park Burn', formed from various burns around Auldhouse which drain from the Eldrig Hills. The burn increases in size around Langlands Moss and more properly becomes the Calder Water. This river has also been titled the 'West' or 'South Calder Water', although the latter title is shared by another river in Motherwell. Upon being joined by the Rotten Burn to the south-east of East Kilbride, the river becomes the Rotten Calder Water. 'Water' is a term used in Scotland to denote a small river.
The Rotten Calder Water runs through a romantic gorge titled Calderglen. Where it flows through East Kilbride Parish, this area of the gorge is under the jurisdiction of Calderglen Country Park, run by South Lanarkshire Council. Over 150 nature trails border the river
River
A river is a natural watercourse, usually freshwater, flowing towards an ocean, a lake, a sea, or another river. In a few cases, a river simply flows into the ground or dries up completely before reaching another body of water. Small rivers may also be called by several other names, including...
on both banks, in addition to the forest
Forest
A forest, also referred to as a wood or the woods, is an area with a high density of trees. As with cities, depending where you are in the world, what is considered a forest may vary significantly in size and have various classification according to how and what of the forest is composed...
which occupies the slopes. Otter
Otter
The Otters are twelve species of semi-aquatic mammals which feed on fish and shellfish, and also other invertebrates, amphibians, birds and small mammals....
, Roe Deer
Roe Deer
The European Roe Deer , also known as the Western Roe Deer, chevreuil or just Roe Deer, is a Eurasian species of deer. It is relatively small, reddish and grey-brown, and well-adapted to cold environments. Roe Deer are widespread in Western Europe, from the Mediterranean to Scandinavia, and from...
and European Green Woodpecker can be seen if you're lucky in the southern reaches of the park. The river flows by the site of Calderwood Castle(demolished 1947-1951). The gorge of the Rotten Calder Water was in the past celebrated in countless books and poems for its romantic grandeur and lush ivy-tied crags. Many traces of 18th and 19th century landscape additions can be traced in the park, as well as old mines and quarries. After passing under the General's Bridge at Stoneymeadow, the Water flows by Crossbasket Castle (House) and on through the former estates of Greenhall and Milheugh where the valley is seen to give way to wide flood plains. After Milheugh the river again regains its steep gorge and flows through romantic scenery before flowing into the River Clyde near Bothwell Castle. There are many waterfalls on the river, these are Flatt Linn, Crutherland Linn, Torrance Linn (Fairy Linn or Walk Fort Linn,) Black Linn, Trough Linn, Calderwood Linn, Crossbasket Linn, Horseshoe Falls, Old Horseshoe Falls, Small Falls, and Milheugh Falls
East Kilbride Angling Club have the fishing rights and stock the river with brown trout each year. Permits available from Lightbody Quality Butchers of Murray Square East Kilbride.
The river flows via the north side of Blantyre before joining the River Clyde
River Clyde
The River Clyde is a major river in Scotland. It is the ninth longest river in the United Kingdom, and the third longest in Scotland. Flowing through the major city of Glasgow, it was an important river for shipbuilding and trade in the British Empire....
opposite Daldowie
Daldowie
The lands of Daldowie lie astride the River Clyde on the south and the North Calder Water to the east, and stretch to the present area of Baillieston in the north...
. The Valley of the Rotten Calder hides many secrets including hermitages, islets, caves, crannies, ancient markings, fountains, fairy wells, countless waterfalls, over 200 nature trails, summerhouses, ruined castles, steep cliffs, etc.... some of the most romantic, rugged & beautiful scenery in Scotland.