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River Restoration Project Enters New Phase

The Back Burn project will see 5.8 km of watercourses restored to their more natural condition, which will bring many advantages including local resilience to climate change.

Fife Council and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) have commissioned this river restoration project. It’s being managed by Fife Coast and Countryside Trust (FCCT), supported initially with funding from the Water Environment Fund and forms part of the wider Leven Programme. The project’s technical designers are cbec eco-engineering.
Contractors McGowan Environmental Ltd have now been appointed to the project following a design phase that included site surveys, computer modelling, securing permissions and stakeholder engagement.

The Back Burn has been affected by many man-made changes over time. These changes include artificial straightening of the burn with wire baskets filled with stones (gabions) and the building of barriers, such as weirs, across the burn. 

Restoration works will now begin with a focus on improvements at Coul Den and Balbirnie Park. At Coul Den the original watercourse will be restored, while preserving the historic blue sluice gate. Visitors will also see new bridge and boardwalk crossings being created which will improve water flow and flood management.

Improvements at Balbirnie Park include removing weirs to allow the burn to flow more naturally and installing step pools in the river to support wildlife.

“The start of construction on the Back Burn project marks an exciting moment for our local communities," said Councillor Jan Wincott, Fife Council spokesperson for environment and climate change.

"This is about more than just improving a waterway — it’s about bringing nature back into the heart of our towns and creating spaces where people of all ages can connect with the environment.

"We’re grateful to everyone who’s helped shape this project and look forward to seeing the Back Burn become a place the whole community can enjoy and be proud of.” 

Lynda Gairns, River Restoration Specialist at SEPA, said: “SEPA’s Water Environment Fund (WEF) are delighted that the Back Burn restoration project is starting its work phase which will see construction taking place over the summer months. This disruption will be short term and after a few growing seasons will see the Back Burn, and its surrounding greenspace, recover and improve habitat for its fish populations, nature, and access for residents.
 
“We are committed to improving rivers that have been historically altered throughout Scotland, for the benefit of nature, climate and people.”

Jeremy Harris, Chief Executive at FCCT, said: “We bring to the Back Burn our experience from managing the highly successful River Leven Restoration Project for our partners. We’re excited to begin the building phase at Coul Den and Balbirnie Park. Visitors will see some big changes that are all to the benefit of species biodiversity, flood resilience and local communities.”

Diversions will be clearly signposted at both sites and visitors are asked to please adhere to them. 

For up-to-date information on path closures and diversions please keep an eye on the FCCT website, social media and project page. Any questions should be directed to Ask.Us@fifecountryside.co.uk

A similar river restoration project is being developed for the Whinny and Brankholm Burns in Rosyth. Read more about that project on the FCCT website.

Notes to Editors

This is a partnership press release. For further information please contact Audrey Peebles at FCCT on Audrey.Peebles@fifecountryside.co.uk / 07742 400421 or Marjory Wood on Marjory.Wood@fifecountryside.co.uk / 07485 395419.

The restoration works are:

At Coul Den: 

• Restoring the original watercourse while preserving the historic blue sluice gate
• Removing concrete and gabion baskets from the outfall channel
• Creating step-pools to enhance fish passage and habitat
• Constructing new bridge and boardwalk crossings to improve water flow and flood management

At Balbirnie Park: 

• Removing man-made weirs to allow the burn to flow naturally
• Installing step-pools to manage steep gradients and support biodiversity
• Replacing gabion baskets with greener bank protection measures
• Constructing new footpaths to enhance accessibility for visitors 

Back Burn River Restoration Project Page

Further Information on Fife Coast and Countryside Trust

The Fife Coast and Countryside Trust is an independent charity working with partners for a healthy environment that supports wellbeing and sustains the balance between people and nature.

Spread across more than 65 sites, FCCT maintains the Fife Coastal Path, Fife Pilgrim Way, the Lomond Hills Regional Park, local nature reserves, and award-winning beaches. The organisation has its headquarters at Harbourmaster’s House in Dysart where it manages a coastal visitor centre.

Mission Statement

Connecting Environment and People.

Vision 

We lead in the care of Fife’s outdoors. Working together with you, we create a healthier environment that supports wellbeing and sustains the balance between people and the natural world.

Further Information on SEPA

SEPA administers the Water Environment Fund (WEF) on behalf of the Scottish Government and works in partnership with local authorities, land and structure owners, fishery trusts and conservation bodies to deliver an annual programme of river restoration projects.
 
WEF delivers projects which will derive the greatest benefit to Scotland’s rivers and neighbouring communities.
 
Working in partnership with local authorities, WEF is used to create better river environments for wildlife and people. We do this by restoring damaged river corridors to enhance the ecological value of the river and improve public amenity and well-being opportunities, including the reduction of flood risk.