Thanks to players of the National Lottery, the East Renfrewshire park has been turned around over the last four years. Important geological, archaeological and historical features have been restored, the visitor centre has been brought bang up-to-date and the popular play area has a treasure of exciting new equipment to the delight of children.

Hidden Find

As well as extensive conservation on the boating pond, boardwalks and bridges have been introduced to the Glen Walks so that more people can enjoy them. It was during this work that an unknown piece of the park’s history came to light - a hidden waterfall, weir, flagstone path and dam walls built by the Victorians was revealed.

Visitors can now experience the park’s natural environment as it would have been more than 200 years ago. They can walk in the footsteps of textile workers who worked at the Newfield printworks located in what is now Rouken Glen Park.

[quote=Lorraine McMillan, East Renfrewshire Council chief executive]"Rouken Glen has always been a favourite with locals and visitors, but our partnership project with HLF has taken it to a whole new level."[/quote]

Phil Richardson project manager from Archaeology Scotland said: “This rediscovery is of huge significance. The west side of Rouken Glen and the Glen Walks area would have been the main engine room of the textile industry about 200 years ago.”

The completion of the £3million project, supported by HLF and East Renfrewshire Council, has seen the 110 year-old park take the number two spot in this year’s Scottish Visitor Attraction Monitor table of Scotland’s top Outdoor Nature Attractions.

With the one million visitors mark in sight, East Renfrewshire Council chief executive, Lorraine McMillan said: “Rouken Glen has always been a favourite with locals and visitors, but our partnership project with HLF has taken it to a whole new level. We’ve had tremendous interest in the park from a diverse range of individuals and groups since embarking on the project, maintaining Rouken Glen’s place in people’s affections but, importantly, building foundations for healthy lifestyles of the future.”