Back Burn river restoration celebrates completion with recognition in prestigious nature awards

Publish Date: Friday September 11, 2026

An ambitious partnership project to restore the Back Burn to its more natural state in Glenrothes and Markinch has been recognised by a prestigious award scheme – just as the restoration work has been completed.

Following the success of The River Leven restoration project, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency’s Water Environment Fund (WEF) were keen to continue the successful partnership with Fife Council and Fife Coast and Countryside Trust and focus on another river prioritised for improvement; the Back Burn.

The river improvements work at both Coul Den and within Balbirnie Park have recently completed with great success. They have already been credited by making the shortlist in the ‘Coasts and Waters’ category of RSPB Scotland’s prestigious Nature of Scotland Awards.

Strong partnership

Lynda Gairns, River Restoration Specialist at SEPA, said: “SEPA are delighted with the work completed at the Back Burn to improve the river’s ecology and surrounding area. The improvement works have returned the river to a more natural state and it’s great that this has been recognised by being in the running for a Nature of Scotland award. Credit goes to the strong partnership and the local community for making this happen.”

Design consultants CBEC eco-engineering and construction contractors McGowan Environmental Ltd undertook the Back Burn restoration at Coul Den Local Nature Reserve and in Balbirnie Park, Markinch over the past two summers.

Hard engineering – like gabion baskets and weirs that were put in over the decades to aid industry – have been replaced by more environmentally friendly and sustainable measures like rock rolls and nature-like rock ramps.

These improvements are helping to restore the river’s natural function, enhancing fish passage and creating better habitats for wildlife. Early signs of success are already visible at Phase 1 near Coul Reservoir on the northern edge of Glenrothes, where otters and brown trout have been spotted.

Natural place

As well as benefiting wildlife, the restoration will improve local resilience to climate change and, importantly, provides a more natural place for locals and visitors to enjoy.

Jeremy Harris, CEO at project managers FCCT, said: “It’s fantastic to see the Back Burn project recognised at a national level. This success is down to a shared vision, solid partnership, and the expertise and dedication of all involved.

“Particular mention must go to the communities who live and work along the Back Burn. The people who love these places – and know them best – have asked us challenging questions, engaged with the partnership and given us valuable input.

“I think we have a great blueprint for similar future projects, like the Rosyth rivers restoration project.”

Dedication

Councillor Jan Wincott, Spokesperson for Environment & Climate Change, said: “I want to congratulate everyone who has been involved in this amazing project. Knowing the hard work and dedication which has been put in, by staff, partners and volunteers, it is no surprise the project has been shortlisted for this prestigious award. The results of that hard work are now clear to see and I’m so pleased for everyone involved that it is being recognised in this way.”

The project’s partners will continue working together on improving the Back Burn’s water quality and downstream fish barriers.

Meanwhile, this impactful partnership approach is now being replicated in Rosyth where WEF has prioritised the Whinny and Brankholm Burns for improvement in Scotland and is funding the restoration work.