A river restoration project in the Angus glens has been chosen as the sole Scottish finalist in a top UK-wide award that recognises work to improve the natural environment.

The restoration of the Rottal Burn, a tributary of the River South Esk, has been selected as a finalist for the prestigious 2023 UK River Prize following a decade-long project to return the body of water to a more naturalised state.

Partners on the project include River South Esk Catchment Partnership, Esk Rivers and Fisheries Trust, and a team from Abertay University led by Dr Rebecca Wade, senior lecturer in the School of Applied Sciences.

The work began in 2012 and involved the reinstatement of natural meander bends, which were previously straightened out in the 1830s for agricultural reasons. The scheme doubled the channel length to 1200m, creating a new confluence to the River South Esk and reconnected it to its floodplain and nearby wetlands. Over 2000 native trees were also planted.

READ MORE: ANGUS COUNTY WORLD