Cullaloe

Wildlife

The Cullaloe reserve comprises several distinct and diverse environments, each supporting its own wildlife and plant communities. These are the old loch, the wooded areas of mature woodland trees to the south and north of the loch, the floor and banks of the drained reservoir, the lower pools, several wild rough grassed areas, and the steep slopes along the boundary to the east of the reserve.

Although the western side of Cullaloe is bounded by the B9157 road, which can at times be noisy, one of the major charms of the reserve is its local surroundings, with farm fields and mature conifer woodlands across the road to the west, low hills to the east, open views of the beautiful Fife countryside to the north and the Pentlands across the Firth to the south. The relatively undisturbed and varied surrounding countryside encourages birds of prey and buzzards and kestrels are common sights at Cullaloe.

Two rare plants grow at Cullaloe: Water Sedge, and Mudwort. Mudwort grows on the muddy shores of the loch and to enable this plant to flower and seed the loch is partially drained each summer between the months of June and October.

Historical Perspective

One of the geological features of the Cullaloe reserve is the steep sided valley of the Dour burn. Until the late 19th century it was probably a mixture of scrub, marshy areas and land used for grazing.

In 1876 a dam was built which created a large southern reservoir and a smaller northern reservoir.

These provided a water source for Burntisland for more than 100 years but in 1986 the reservoirs were no longer required. The southern section of the site was drained, and a new spillway built to lower the level of the northern section. This remains as the loch and the Cullaloe site has been developed as a wildlife reserve since that time.

 

Management

Cullaloe is jointly managed by the SWT and Fife Council. Regular work is done in some areas with the aim of maintaining or increasing diversity.

All the area of Cullaloe is accessible but care must be taken not to disturb nesting birds or trample on any of the areas that support the rarer plant species. Additional information for visitors is given on a map of the reserve which is located on the top of the old dam. As well as the ample car parking space, and several bench seats for the use of visitors, there is also a woven wickerwork screen (acting as a hide) on the southern shore of the loch.

Getting there

Driving time from Edinburgh city centre: 36 mins. See map below.