About

Tucked into the ancient wooded gorge landscapes of the Clyde and Avon Valley just south of Glasgow and to the west of the central belt, you will find a landscape bursting with an intriguing and unique cultural heritage, just waiting to be explored by trails, visits or volunteering and training opportunities.

Known for its patchwork of nationally important woodlands and stunning geological features; crumbling castles, mansion houses and riverside settlements; orchards and a unique market gardening heritage – there are all sorts of stories to unlock.

The Clyde and Avon Valley Landscape Partnership (CAVLP) is here to support over 70 projects (detailed in the Landscape Conservation Action Plan and Programmes A, B, C and D below) throughout the Area of Great Landscape Value which celebrate these special features, receiving support from Heritage Lottery Fund to deliver them between 2011 and 2018.

The projects are built around four themes; to conserve the built and natural heritage of the area; to increase community participation and landscape connection; to improve access to and learning about the landscape and heritage of the Clyde and Avon Valley; and to provide new training opportunities in local heritage skills in this extraordinary part of the world.

CAVLP do not do this alone. As a partner organisation, ten key partners support the projects. They are South Lanarkshire Council, North Lanarkshire Council, Clydesdale Community Initiatives, Central Scotland Green Network, New Lanark World Heritage Site, CAVLP Heritage managed by Northlight Heritage, The Rural Development Trust, RSPB Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage and Scottish Wildlife Trust. Projects are also delivered by a range of organisations, social cooperatives, community groups, individuals and volunteers.

The CAVLP Board and Steering Group is governed by members of the ten key partner organisations. We also facilitate a regular CAVLP Heritage Environment Steering Group comprised of representatives from local museums and heritage focussed organisations.

The projects are underpinned by the defining characteristics of the Area of Great Landscape Value as outlined above. To find out more, click on the Historical Development Study on the right.

CAVLP is one of a number of Heritage Lottery Fund supported Landscape Partnerships which focus on celebrating distinct landscapes throughout the UK.

Partnership is key to the success of the projects celebrating this special part of the world. But most important is YOU and others that can enjoy the improved access, new trails, historical research and skills after CAVLP is gone. Please get in touch with ideas of how we can work together and share ideas. Sign up to our newsletter, link to us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and tell all of your friends about the wonderful landscape tucked into these special valleys.

Landscape Conservation Action Plan

Programme A

Programme B

Programme C

Programme D

Historical Development Study