A New Partnership for Environmental Change in the Lothian Esk River Catchment
A new partnership has been formed to help restore nature and address climate change in the Lothian Esk river catchment area.
Partnership working
The Lothian Esk Catchment Partnership (LECP) comprises the Forth Rivers Trust, East Lothian Council, Midlothian Council, NatureScot, SEPA, and Scottish Water.
Climate Change resilience
Together, the LECP aims to harness collective expertise, collaborate and co-ordinate resources to build resilience against climate change and biodiversity loss, creating a healthier, more sustainable future for the catchment’s communities, wildlife, and habitats.
Covering the Lothian Esk Catchment
Stretching across local authority boundaries, the Lothian Esk catchment includes the North Esk, which begins in the Pentland Hills, and the South Esk originating in the Moorfoot Hills. These rivers converge in Dalkeith Country Park before flowing into the Firth of Forth in Musselburgh.
Addressing multiple pressures
The catchment faces various environmental pressures, including invasive non-native species, water pollution, and urban and rural flooding. Historical modifications to the rivers - such as straightening - have compounded these problems, which are now exacerbated by climate change.
Funding contributed
In collaboration with the Forth Rivers Trust, the LECP secured £91,000 from Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Fund, managed by Nature Scot, in late 2024, with funding contributions from East Lothian Council, Midlothian Council, and SEPA. This grant funding will enable the Partnership to develop a comprehensive ‘catchment route map’ to identify potential actions, tackle these challenges and lay the groundwork for restoration measures in the future.
Stakeholder engagement
Using tools such as drone surveys, habitat baselining, biodiversity recording, and flood modelling to identify opportunities for nature-based solutions, the project will also engage with community groups, land managers, and other stakeholders to ensure alignment with existing initiatives and ambitions.
Working with landowners and managers
A key focus of the LECP will be working with landowners to implement nature-based farming practices and sustainable solutions. The creation of wetlands, leaky dams, and agroforestry could combat flooding, biodiversity loss, and water quality issues while delivering diversified income streams and enhanced resilience to climate change.
Restoration ambitions
A spokesperson for the Partnership said: “We are incredibly thankful to NatureScot for providing the funding to kickstart our ambitions for landscape-scale restoration in the Lothian Esk catchment.
Contact Forth Rivers Trust
“Working closely with landowners and partners is key to its success. We’re here to offer support and guidance on sustainable practices that can benefit both the environment and those who live and work in the catchment. We encourage any landowners or stakeholders interested in exploring nature-based solutions to contact the partnership through Forth Rivers Trust and become part of this exciting initiative.”
Nature-based solutions
Cllr Dianne Alexander, Cabinet Member for Environment, said: “We look forward to contributing to this project and working with our partners in the Lothian Esk Catchment Partnership to set out nature-based solutions that will ensure our rivers and blue landscaping is ready to cope with the increase in rain water, and safely carry it away without risk of flooding and damaging homes, farmland, businesses, roads and infrastructure.
Protecting Midlothian and beyond
“This will be more than just water management it will also be about protecting the biodiverse systems and creatures in our rivers that are so important to sustain life and wellbeing in Midlothian and beyond.”