Highlands Reserve Shines Spotlight on Nature

The Merkinch Nature Reserve in Inverness, a vital local sanctuary for wildlife and history, is currently the focus of a month-long international initiative. This project, known as Cùra Guardian, seeks to draw global attention to the conservation efforts at the reserve, which spans over 124 acres along the Beauly Firth. Designated almost two decades ago, Merkinch has been transformed by volunteers from an area previously marred by fly-tipping into a thriving natural habitat.

The reserve boasts diverse ecosystems, including salt marshes, reed beds, and woodlands, providing a home for numerous herons, ducks, and deer. Photographer Nick Sidle is contributing images to the Cùra Guardian project, which runs until the end of May, aiming to illuminate the reserve's significant benefits for both people and wildlife. The community's connection to Merkinch is evident, with local schoolchildren having named several of its paths, including the aptly named Midgie Lane.