TheRotten Calder is a river to the east ofEast Kilbride,South Lanarkshire,Scotland and along with the Rotten Burn it forms the southern and western boundaries ofBlantyre.
It begins as the Calder Water at its source atArdochrig, and is joined by the Cleughearn, Lea and Drumloch Burns aroundLanglands Moss which drain from theEldrig Hills.[1] This river has also been titled the 'West' or 'South Calder Water', although the latter title is shared by another river inMotherwell. Upon being joined by the Rotten Burn to the south-east of East Kilbride, the river becomes theRotten Calder Water. 'Water' is a term used in Scotland to denote a small river.
The Rotten Calder runs through a gorge titled Calderglen, where it flows throughEast Kilbride Parish. This area of the gorge is under the jurisdiction ofCalderglen Country Park, run by South Lanarkshire Council. Over 160 nature trails border theriver on both banks, in addition to the forest which occupies the slopes, and ferns, mosses and liverworts on the rocky precipices.European otter,roe deer andEuropean green woodpecker can be seen in the southern reaches of the park.Common buzzards can be seen hunting over open areas by the river and thegrey heron,grey wagtail andwhite-throated dipper are common sights too. The river flows by the site of the formerCalderwood Castle (demolished 1947–1951).[2]
The gorge of the Rotten Calder Water was celebrated in books and poems for its grandeur and lush ivy-tied crags. Many traces of 18th- and 19th-century landscape additions can be traced in the park, as well as old mines, quarries, and religious sites. After passing under the General's Bridge at Stoneymeadow, the Water flows by Crossbasket Castle (House) in an easterly direction, and on through the former estates of Greenhall and Milheugh where the valley is seen to give way to wide flood plains.
After Milheugh the river again regains its steep gorge and flows through scenery before flowing into theRiver Clyde nearDaldowie. There are many waterfalls on the river, these are Millwell Linn, Flatt Linn (Crutherland Linn), Torrance Linn (Fairy Linn or Walk Fort Linn), Black Linn, Trough Linn, Calderwood Linn (Castle Falls), Crossbasket Linn, Horseshoe Falls, Old Horseshoe Linn, Small Falls, and Milheugh Falls.
East Kilbride Angling Club have the fishing rights and stock the river with brown trout occasionally but not every year.[3] Permits are available from calderglen visitor centre and the post office at the town centre
The river flows via the north side ofBlantyre and forms the eastern boundary of theNewton district ofCambuslang[4] before joining theRiver Clyde oppositeDaldowie.[1]
The valley of the Rotten Calder includes hermitages, islets, caves, crannies, ancient markings, fountains, fairy wells, numerous waterfalls, over 200 nature trails, summerhouses, ruined castles, and steep cliffs.[citation needed]
In addition to Calderglen Park and Calderwood House, the river is referenced in other man-made features near its course, including theCalderwood residential area of East Kilbride,Calderglen High School in the same town, Calderglen House and the former Caldervale village near Blantyre, andCalderside Academy in the same town.
Media related toCalder Water, East Kilbride at Wikimedia Commons