Friends of Milngavie Reservoir and Scottish Water staff are working together to clear up the popular spot

A new partnership will help ensure a beauty spot remains looking at its best.

The Friends of Milngavie Reservoir volunteers, in collaboration with Scottish Water staff, will support Volunteers’ Week by holding the first joint reservoir community litter-pick, on Friday (4 June) to tidy up the land surrounding Mugdock and Craigmaddie Reservoirs, known collectively as the Milngavie reservoirs.

The volunteer group, which has encouraged local involvement in the event, has been instrumental in bringing together Volunteer Scotland and Keep Scotland Beautiful, as part of their community drive to enhance and protect the reservoirs.

The group has worked with Scottish Water to ensure that volunteers can clean up the site safely.

Eddy Yacoubian, chairman, Friends of Milngavie Reservoir, said: “We are pleased to be taking part in this joint volunteering day, to celebrate Volunteers’ Week, for which we have been recognised by Keep Scotland Beautiful. I am also delighted to launch our new Vision Statement, which champions volunteering, and aims to build on a renewed sense of common purpose and community ownership, as society overcomes the pandemic.

“Volunteering can be a catalyst for social good and we will continue our efforts to improve the special, tranquil environment of the Milngavie reservoirs. I look forward to building on our partnership working with Scottish Water and playing our part in representing the views of local groups and communities.”

Brian Lironi, corporate affairs director of Scottish Water, added: “We are delighted to be working with Friends of Milngavie Reservoir, and the local community, to pick up littler at the Milngavie reservoirs. It’s through activity and collaboration such as this that we hope to promote how valued the reservoirs are and how we can all work together to keep them clean and tidy.”

Alan Stevenson, chief executive of Volunteer Scotland, said: “The Friends of Milngavie Reservoir demonstrate how volunteers can improve their local green space. Groups like these are truly the lifeblood of our local communities; making them healthier, more connected and greener. It’s important that we recognise their contribution and say thanks. Volunteers’ Week is the perfect time to show our appreciation.”     

Barry Fisher, chief executive of Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: “Lockdown has made us really appreciate our local outdoor spaces, and it is important that we keep them litter free. Our evidence shows we’re facing a looming litter emergency across Scotland. But, thanks to Scottish Water supporting the volunteers from Friends of Milngavie Reservoir, the problem is now being dealt with one piece at a time. This year people have pledged to volunteer their time to litter pick 20,000miles of Scotland during our Summer Clean which runs till 20 June. Together we can all do more to tackle litter, for our environment and our own health and wellbeing – so please pledge your support to keep Scotland beautiful.”

Volunteers’ Week (1-7 June) is a UK campaign, now in its 37th year, and led by a representative organisation in each of the four nations. Volunteer Scotland lead the campaign in Scotland; this year, they’re encouraging everyone to take time to say 'thank you' to all volunteers.

Find out more about Friends of Milngavie Reservoir on the group’s website.