The Hamiltonhill Claypits – Glasgow's hidden gem

The bridge over the canal in Glasgow to access The Claypits. Picture Source: Jonathan Black

Rising high above the Glasgow skyline sits Hamiltonhill Claypits, a biodiverse nature reserve nestled in between the districts of Possilpark and Maryhill. The site, long used as a landfill site and shunned by locals, lay desolate for almost 40 years. However, in the past five years it has undergone a stunning transformation and is arguably one of Glasgow’s most unique and beautiful green spaces – no mean feat for a city famed for its verdancy. The project has required dedication, diligence, and determination from those involved in its restoration – their challenge was substantial in the face of wholesale decimation of the canal network.

Glasgow’s canal network played a pivotal role in the city's industrial success for more than two centuries. It functioned as a vital shipping port, ferrying materials, goods and passengers from both sides of the central belt. At its peak more than 200,000 passengers sailed through the canals annually. The surrounding area was bustling with activity, dominated by the imperious Speir’s Wharf, which was the Headquarters of Forth & Clyde Navigation Co. and the City of Glasgow Grain Mills and Stores at the time. Close by there sat a pub and even a cinema (the famous Astoria) offering workers some light relief in the heart of the industrial city.

However, by the 1940s, in a similar vein to the city’s shipyards, the canals began to fall into disuse – another casualty of the great city’s industrial decline. The canals were eventually closed for business in the 1960s and would soon become dilapidated. Businesses closed, and the site became little more than a pedestrian route – often avoided by locals due to concerns of safety.

The start of the Claypits nature trail. Picture Source: Jonathan Black

Eventually, in the early 2000s, some of the canals were reopened, as a result of the £84.5m Millennium Link Project – a vast infrastructure project, which restored large parts of the decaying network and made it fit for purpose once again. To this day segments of the network remain under renovation, particularly the Monklands canal, but the Millennium Link Project served as the catalyst for wholesale change for the network.

The Hamiltonhill Claypits are a shining example of the project’s success. Situated near to Partick Thistle’s Firhill Stadium, the site has been transformed from a forgotten wasteland into a thriving nature reserve – mere miles from the city centre. The site is home to an array of wildlife, from roe deer to kestrels, as well as an abundance of flora and fauna – making it one of the most biodiverse parks in the city.

The project was funded by The Scottish Cultural Fund, Nature Scotland and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, and took five years to complete - eventually opening to the public in 2021. It is managed by a committee comprising of a total of nine volunteers and one full-time member of staff, who are responsible for its maintenance and growth. One such volunteer is Bob Altman. Originally from the US, Altman has been involved with the project since its genesis in 2015.

His involvement came by chance after attending a local council meeting, he said: “I was on the Woodside Community Council and the chairman said they were having some kind of other meeting for the Hamiltonhill site, and that they need somebody to represent their community council.”

Despite having lived in the city for over 40 years Altman knew little about the canals but attended the meeting out of civic duty to his community. However, he soon found himself compelled by the ambitious plans of its visionaries, he said: “They were explaining all these great things that were going to happen to the canal – and that's how it all started. So, after that, there were monthly meetings, and I just continued to go to the meetings. Then at some point, I just got drawn in.”

The rugged site requires year-round maintenance and the team relies heavily on additional volunteers to keep it looking tip-top - as opposed to its previous incarnation as an actual tip. Bob said: “We have a litter pick every third Sunday, and we have about 30 volunteers who help us with various other tasks.  This includes pruning of the trees and plants and general clearing and maintenance of the walkways”

The spectacular view from the top of the Claypits. Picture Source: Jonathan Black

Tree planting has been at the heart of the project’s ethos and has proved to be highly engaging for the local community. Many local schoolchildren and residents have taken part in the process. However, the tree-planting initiative is presently on hold, Bob said: “In the beginning, we had to cut down about 300 trees, but we have since replaced them with about 1000 trees. However, we've had to pause at that because we don't want them all to be the same age. We're certainly not finished with our planting, but we're going to do it in stages.”

The Hamiltonhill Claypits may be unknown to many out with the local community, but its stunning transformation is a testament to the hard work and vision of the individuals who saw its potential far beyond a forgotten patch of wasteland. A veritable haven of nature and tranquillity (and boasting arguably the best view in the city), it may not be Glasgow’s secret for long.