Rouken Glen restoration reveals important relics and hidden waterfall

A secondary waterfall, weir, flagstone path and dam walls have been re-discovered during recent restoration works in Rouken Glen Park.

Article Source: East Renfrewshire Council
Last Updated: 9 August 2016 14:43

The hidden gems were revealed when work to open up unused parts of the popular East Renfrewshire park took place this year.

The historical find also brings back to life an area known as ‘Lovers' Walk’, which includes original exposed iron beams and wooden boards.

The discoveries allow visitors to witness remnants of the park’s industrial and social heritage.

Visitors can experience the park’s natural environment as it would have looked more than 200 years ago and walk in the footsteps of textile workers who worked at the Newfield printworks in what is now Rouken Glen Park.

To preserve links to the area’s past the works restored the Glen Path whilst maintaining historic relics, trees and habitats, working with the natural topography of the woodland.

The project was funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and East Renfrewshire Council as part of an overall £3.2m investment in Rouken Glen.

Local volunteers helped carry out the excavation works and studied the history of the area to uncover the site’s importance.

There are now plans to introduce historical walks in this part of the park.

The newly restored Glen Path network is to the right of the main entrance to the park on Rouken Glen Road and loops all the way up to the boating pond.

Phil Richardson project manager from Archaeology Scotland said: “This rediscovery is of huge significance. The west side of Rouken Glen and the Glen Path area would have been the main engine room of the textile industry about 200 years ago.

“The Victorians re-routed and enhanced the burn to build a water management system that would control the flow of the water and be used to power the mill. It was important to the Crum family who owned the park and the local printworks that it was powered by nature.”

Garry Nixon, park ranger at Rouken Glen said: “We’ve always been aware of the history of the park, but until now this part of Rouken Glen was off limits. The Glen Path is woven into the history of the park and now it’s been opened up and restored for more visitors to enjoy. This secondary waterfall would have been man-made to oxygenate the water used to bleach fabrics before it was dyed and printed at the printworks.”

Cllr Waters, Convenor for Environment, said: “Our restoration of this historic pathway in a previously unknown area of Rouken Glen has revealed a hidden gem. We have worked to make it as accessible as possible given the limitations of the natural environment. To preserve the area’s heritage we’ve worked with the natural topography of the woodland to create the Glen Path whilst maintaining historic relics, trees and habitats.

“The new boardwalk works with the rugged terrain of the landscape and now gives access to an area previously only accessible to the intrepid. Other works included discovering and bringing back to life an original stone pathway built by the Victorians, so today’s visitors are able to retrace the steps of textile workers on their daily trips to and from the printworks.

“I’m delighted that we are able to share this restored pathway, which helps tell the story of the rich heritage of Rouken Glen.”