A former colliery site in Bo'ness became Falkirk Council’s second Local Nature Reserve in March 2013. Official local nature reserve status was conferred on part of the Bo’ness and Kinneil Foreshore, once home to Kinneil Colliery. The new reserve stretches from Bo'ness harbour in the east to the site of the former Kinneil Colliery and Snab Lane in the west.

The mudflats and "island" off the foreshore are internationally important for seabirds and are already designated as a Special Protection Area for their conservation value. Throughout the 19th and most of the 20th centuries much of the area was used by heavy industry but all the building and structures associated with the former colliery are now gone. The area is now a public open space of grassland, wildflower meadows and woodland, with a good network of paths already in place. The nature reserve is managed by Falkirk Council, working with the charity The Friends of Kinneil.

Facilities:

  • Car park
  • Cycle path
  • Historical features
  • Natural Heritage Service - Ranger Service
  • Picnic Benches/Tables
  • Seating
  • Views
  • Walks
  • Water - Pond / Loch / Burn / River
  • Wheelchair access
  • Wildflower meadows
  • Wildlife viewing
  • Woodland

Map