A rundown stretch of land in Carmunnock is set to be transformed into a scenic hotspot, with a little help from a team of ScottishPower employees.

The under-used site, which is a willow plantation, is unpopular with locals and has been used for fly tipping in the past.

It was targeted as part of the energy firm's partnership with Scottish Business in the Community and is part of a wider plan organised by Glasgow Greenspace to turn the area into a Willow Sculpture Park.

The team of 29 workers from ScottishPower were the first company on site to build a sculpture using the willow and began the transformation on Monday 30th November. By the Friday of that week, staff had harvested, cut and transformed the willow into the first sculpture for the park.

If permission is granted, the trail will be part of a larger project, which will complement the creation of the 2014 Commonwealth Games Mountain Bike Course on Cathkin Braes. It is set to attract families across the country who are interested in both walking and cycling in the run up to the Games.


Phil Duffield, Community Liaison Manager at ScottishPower, said: "We decided to get involved in this project as Carmunnock is near to our headquarters in Cathcart and is known for its stretch of greenbelt, including the willow plantation. We are proud to be the first company to build a sculpture on site and the workers really enjoyed rolling their sleeves up and doing their bit for the community, especially as many of the team members are local."

A proposal for a bigger strategy for the area is currently with Glasgow City Council for approval and includes creating ponds and wildflower meadows to attract wildlife and improve the biodiversity of the site. The improvements would create a family-orientated network of footpaths and cycleways for walkers and cyclists to enjoy.

Phil added: "If proposals are given the green light, we’d love to continue working on the project, especially as we were involved from the beginning. We’re looking forward to seeing the trail blossom over the years and hope that visitors and locals make the most of the transformed area."

The completed trail would permit families to walk or cycle along the footpaths in search of the various willow sculptures, to look for wildlife in the new ponds and wildflower meadows and to enjoy a new outdoor recreation facility.

(GK/KMcA)