Merkinch Local Nature Reserve

The Reserve – one of Inverness’ hidden gems stretches from the canal mouth (top of photograph) right the way around the shoreline to just beyond the old Kessock Ferry.

It's habitats include sea shore, salt marsh, bog, scrub, wooded embankments, the canal towpath and fresh water marsh with reed beds.
It has an enormous variety of wildlife – such as roe deer which can be seen grazing in the early morning and owls, foxes, bats etc at night.
Birdlife is extensive -  cormorants, gulls and geese of various descriptions,  skylarks, curlew and oystercatcher. On the tidal pools you will find mallard, tufted duck and small waders. 

 According to the tides, grey heron can also be seen hunting for food in the tidal pools and from the Ferry Pier or from the Canal End, looking away from the reserve out to sea seals, dolphins  and otters can be seen. 

 Although there has always been quite a lot to be seen much of it was not initially appreciated by those who went there - access was poor in places and where overgrown tended to discourage many from venturing too far into the reserve.
The Reserve was formally opened in June 2008 and soon after, BTCV (British Trust for Conservation Volunteers) made a start to improving access to the Reserve.
In less than a year BTCV and other contractors brought the reserve up to a standard which made visiting a safer and more enjoyable experience. This included rebuilding many of the paths and removal of invasive species like snowberry. 
In summer 2009 a contract was placed for the construction of a ramp to enable wheel chairs and pushchairs to complete a circuit of the Reserve.

 In early 2008 Inverness Culloden Rotary Club became actively involved in the work and management of the Reserve.   In the winter of 2008/9 club members planted bulbs adjacent to the beautifully carved benches along the waterfront – designed by the local Merkinch Primary School.

 In 2009 Inverness Culloden Rotary Club provided several used but functioning weatherproof digital cameras which BTCV have used with their volunteers in capturing pictures of the reserve at various times during the year. 
The most recent club involvement has been the creation of a Rotary Rambles Card - inspired by a very successful initiative from the Burntisland and Kinghorn club – and which describes a walk around the Reserve.  Some 200 of these cards will be made  initially and distributed to organisations such as British Waterways, Inverness Tourist Office, the FerryTerminal building, local primary school etc.  The card below can be downloaded for use.

 Download Card

 Following the recent refurbishment of the old ferry terminal office the LNR management team will utilise the building for displaying information regarding the LNR, photographs, wildlife sightings records and a venue to display the posters and brochures etc which our club bought for the LNR in 2009.
There are also plans to have a link to the sonar instrumentation in the Beauly Firth which is used by the dolphin watch group in N Kessock.
Plans are also already in place to apply for funding to appoint a ranger who will be based at Merkinch and will  add value to the visitor’s experience of the Reserve – still a gem but less hidden than before !