News in Strathclyde & Ayrshire

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Grow your own in Glasgow

Glasgow City Council has built 151 new allotment plots thanks to the Central Scotland Green Network Development fund. The new plots are in Bellahouston, Mansewood, Royston, Temple, Tollcross Park, Kingsway and Yoker. They'll help to meet the growing demand for allotments. There are over 750 people are on the Glasgow waiting list.

Protecting Arran’s whitebeam trees

Some of Arran's unique wildlife will continue to be protected even though it's no longer in a national nature reserve. Arran is the only place in the world where three kinds of whitebeam (Arran, cut-leaved and Catacol) grow. However, they're difficult to get to and so don't meet national nature reserve standards for easy access. However, due to their importance the owner, Dougarie Estate, and Scottish Natural Heritage have agreed to work together to make sure that they remain on Arran for years to come. New trees are being grown from seeds and cuttings. Young trees will be returned to the island and planted at Catacol car park, so you can see them close up.

Meadow protection

A wildflower meadow at Whinnerston, near Kilbarchan, Renfrewshire has been given special protection. It's been designated by Scottish Natural Heritage as a new Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). "It's one of the best remaining examples in Scotland" says Dave Lang, SNH operations officer. "It's brimming with flowers and insects, including butterfly orchid and spignel. It's great for wildlife today because it's been looked after in the same way since the 1950s - grazed by Highland cattle without the use of artificial fertilisers."