WATERSPORTS are returning to a reservoir in the Lammermuirs on a permanent basis after four years.

Whiteadder Watersports Centre, near Garvald, plans to offer sailing, supported swimming sessions, stand-up paddleboards and sit-on kayaks, as well as fly-fishing, from April to September.

The centre briefly opened in August last year for the final few months of the season and received good feedback from the public.

Now, following a competitive bidding process, the centre, which was previously operated by Scottish Borders Council, has been sublet and reopened by Whiteadder Watersports Trust, a specially formed not-for-profit charitable trust.

John Hall, chairperson of the trust, is among those aiming to encourage people of all ages and abilities to participate in a wide range of watersports.

He said: “The centre was built with public money so it’s right that it runs as a charitable trust rather than on a commercial basis.

“I was involved in the centre being set up under Scottish Borders Council several years ago and it’s great to see it up and running again!

“A variety of afterschool sessions for children are offered and fly-fishing lessons for young people have been a great success and youth groups, including Cubs and Beyond Earlston, have had some great sessions.”

The centre is located on the north bank of Whiteadder Reservoir, which straddles East Lothian and the Scottish Borders, on the B6355.

The reservoir is used by Scottish Water to supply about 40,000 customers with 24 million litres of water every day.

Archie Macgregor, land and development manager at Scottish Water, encouraged people to try their hand at a sport on the water.

He said: “Whiteadder Reservoir is still used for public supply and, while watersports would normally be discouraged, Scottish Water and Scottish Borders Council hope that the centre will become a destination for people across the region to come and enjoy the water while being supervised. We are particularly happy that it is a locally based community group that is operating the centre.”

For more information go to whiteadderwatersports.co.uk; the centre is open seasonally.