Latest news

Grey heron’s banquet

Monday, 4 May, 2020 - 01:37
Every morning the grey heron (Ardea cinerea) flies in to the Dean Valley for a tasty meal at the bottom of the weir on the Water of Leith. Probably little fish and frogs. It is easy to wade about in the shallows and its sharp eyes spot the flickering movement of its dinner under the surface. It will need a lot of food to bring back to at least 3 chicks in its nest which is high up in trees back at the Heronrie. Sometimes it wades around the Gormley statue at Stockbridge before flying out again in the evening.
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Invasive wild garlic dominating riverside flora

Thursday, 23 April, 2020 - 10:32
Water of Leith is overcome with the three cornered leek (Allium triquetrum) a kind of wild garlic. In the last five years it has come to dominate the riverbanks in April and May. Though pretty it is highly invasive and very difficult to eradicate. It was brought over to the UK from the Mediterranean, and it is an offence under Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act in England and Wales to plant or otherwise cause to grow this species in the wild. It is not clear what the rules are in Scotland. It can be used for cooking...
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Poorly maintained footbridge in the Dean Village closed

Sunday, 19 April, 2020 - 18:22
The footbridge in the Dean Village at Damside and Hawthornbank Lane, within Edinburgh’s World Heritage site, has been closed for Health and Safety reasons. You can see from the picture that the steps are badly eroded. A survey which was carried out by our surveyor in 2018 has said that the metal structure appears to be sound (see second feasibility study, section 4.45) . It is worrying and clear that CEC have not been investing in general ongoing maintenance of the bridge and its walkway, thus allowing it to get into such poor condition. Many people taking their daily Covid-19...
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Stay well and healthy

Sunday, 22 March, 2020 - 22:38
Hygieia the Greek goddess for health who stands inside St Bernard’s Well is watching over us all in the Dean Valley. It seems appropriate that in these troubled times she is our guardian for keeping well and healthy over the next few months. Whilst sitting at home please read our Vision for the regeneration of the landscape and structures and email us with your comments through the website.
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