Dowies Mill Weir fish pass: project update June 2025

This initiative is part of the Almond Barriers Project.

The Almond Barriers Project is a catchment-wide fish passage restoration project and is a partnership between the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, the Forth Rivers Trust, and both the City of Edinburgh Council and West Lothian Council. The goal is to restore fish migration across more than 200 kilometres of the River Almond and its tributaries by improving fish passage at seven weirs.

The design for the fish pass at Dowies Mill Weir has evolved over several years. This has been based on detailed assessment, design development and community engagement. The proposal now features a rock ramp structure that integrates with the existing weir to provide upstream and downstream passage for target fish and eel species. This solution is considered the best option for enhancing fish passage while also addressing other key factors identified by the community. This includes flood risk, ecology, heritage, landscape, amenity and visual character.

A key consideration in the design process is the Ganga Ghat site. This site falls within the proposed footprint of the new rock ramp fish pass and will be subject to some modification. This site is significant to people from various faiths, particularly the Sikh and Hindu communities, who use it for the ritual scattering of ashes of deceased loved ones into the river and as a reflective space. The Council has engaged with representatives from these communities to understand the site's cultural importance and to ensure the design meets their needs. This includes improving awareness and recognition of the site and enhancing access to the river and the surrounding area. Ongoing engagement will continue throughout the project to maximise the potential to deliver successful outcomes.

After engaging with stakeholders and the community, the preliminary designs for the rock ramp and Ganga Ghat were further developed into a planning application package. Planning permission for this project was submitted in late February, and the aim is that construction can commence in early 2026. A contractor will be selected in Autumn and detailed planning for the logistics of the work will follow.

For the ash scattering site, specific design considerations and changes have been made because of the engagement, including:

• Access improvements: Wider compliant stairs to upgrade the existing primary access route to the site, a walkway to improve accessibility and landscape reinstatement.
• Design improvements: A specific ash scattering channel (to be as natural in appearance as possible) has been included within the design of the rock ramp. Users of the site are not restricted to this channel, but it does ensure that even during drier weather, water is directed next to the site for immersion of ashes. This channel is located at the eastern edge of the watercourse, giving easy access from the beach area, improving access for a wider range of users. The design includes steps into the channel so users of the site can enter the water if they wish to aid immersion.

The team hopes this information helps to explain the project further and what the next steps will be. The Council will keep you updated with any further developments, and if there are any queries or comments, please contact the team using the email address: dowiesfishpass@edinburgh.gov.uk.