River Goil Projects

The River Goil is an important spawning ground for endangered Atlantic Salmon and Sea Trout, but it suffers badly from bank collapse and erosion. This erosion leads to an increase in silt levels in the river ecosystem which damages precious spawning sites and deposits excess silt and debris into Loch Goil. Salmon eggs, juvenile fish, and most of the invertebrates on which they feed, require well-oxygenated, silt-free gravel to survive.

The Trust has been involved in a programme of habitat improvements since 2014, working in partnership with Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, the Argyll Fisheries Trust and The River Goil Angling Club, with sponsorship from CLIF.

Tree Planting

Our volunteers helped in the planting and care of hundreds of native trees along riparian areas of the River Goil, including Willow, Hazel, Rowan, and Alder, seeking to reduce bank erosion and increase biodiversity. Tree planting also provides shade, helping to regulate river temperatures.

Green Revetments

A green revetment is a nature-based solution which protects the riverbank from erosion. After reprofiling the bank to around a 45°angle, we install wooden stakes, which we then backfill with compacted tree branches (brash). This technique ensures that energy from the river, particularly during spate conditions, is more effectively dissipated. Silt and fine debris are trapped in the compacted brash, ultimately building an even stronger bank. Finally, willow pegs are hammered into the reprofiled bank to eventually grow and provide a root system, further strengthening the entire revetment.

So far, our volunteers have completed over 200m of green revetments along some of the most critical sections of the river. The work is strenuous, and the projects are complex to manage, but along with our partners, we believe this work represents a valuable community contribution to the long-term health and biodiversity of the beautiful River Goil.