Calton Hill Conservation Trust
@caltonhill.bsky.social
The Calton Hill Conservation Trust help protect & maintain our much-loved, long-neglected, Edinburgh park, with its monuments, spectacular views & nature | Please join us & volunteer with us. <https:www.caltonhilltrust.org>
Thanks to City of Edinburgh Council for finding CLIPS TO SECURE THE FENCING surrounding the new turfing. So now the fencing will not blow over or be used (and broken) by people climbing onto the National Monument. A step forward!
November 25, 2025 at 10:20 PM
Thanks to City of Edinburgh Council for finding CLIPS TO SECURE THE FENCING surrounding the new turfing. So now the fencing will not blow over or be used (and broken) by people climbing onto the National Monument. A step forward!
ASTRONOMY on CALTON HILL: Saturday 6 December starting at the Portuguese Cannon at 12.45.
Please join the Trust and Prof. Andy Lawrence as he tells the history of the Astronomical Institution, Royal Observatory, Henderson & Piazzi Smyth, time ball & time gun, Maria Short, and City Observatory. 1/
Please join the Trust and Prof. Andy Lawrence as he tells the history of the Astronomical Institution, Royal Observatory, Henderson & Piazzi Smyth, time ball & time gun, Maria Short, and City Observatory. 1/
November 19, 2025 at 5:44 PM
ASTRONOMY on CALTON HILL: Saturday 6 December starting at the Portuguese Cannon at 12.45.
Please join the Trust and Prof. Andy Lawrence as he tells the history of the Astronomical Institution, Royal Observatory, Henderson & Piazzi Smyth, time ball & time gun, Maria Short, and City Observatory. 1/
Please join the Trust and Prof. Andy Lawrence as he tells the history of the Astronomical Institution, Royal Observatory, Henderson & Piazzi Smyth, time ball & time gun, Maria Short, and City Observatory. 1/
ANGUS MILLER @geowalks.scot, the well-known geologist, is giving a programme about Calton Hill’s geology on Tuesday 25 November 18.00. entitled: 'WHERE'S THE VOLCANO? THE MAKING OF CALTON HILL'. Online/Zoom. Free public event. All welcome. Contact for info/ invitation. 1/
November 19, 2025 at 1:28 PM
ANGUS MILLER @geowalks.scot, the well-known geologist, is giving a programme about Calton Hill’s geology on Tuesday 25 November 18.00. entitled: 'WHERE'S THE VOLCANO? THE MAKING OF CALTON HILL'. Online/Zoom. Free public event. All welcome. Contact for info/ invitation. 1/
THANK YOU to our volunteers & our donor, Alan Lawson & the Seven Hills Race, for +60 square metres (m2) of turf laid today (18 Nov.) on the top of the hill. 300 m2 in total — responding to Erosion Emergency. Statement by the community & local media. @spurtle.bsky.social @edinburghminute.bsky.social
November 18, 2025 at 7:37 PM
THANK YOU to our volunteers & our donor, Alan Lawson & the Seven Hills Race, for +60 square metres (m2) of turf laid today (18 Nov.) on the top of the hill. 300 m2 in total — responding to Erosion Emergency. Statement by the community & local media. @spurtle.bsky.social @edinburghminute.bsky.social
BALACLAVA-CLAD DIRT BIKERS on Hume Walk, Calton Hill on Wednesday 12 November 2025 at 15.40. They were using both electric & petrol motorbikes to do stunts and cut up the turf. One rider sprayed us with mud. One bike had a number plate, but it was not possible to read it from the video.
November 14, 2025 at 1:34 PM
BALACLAVA-CLAD DIRT BIKERS on Hume Walk, Calton Hill on Wednesday 12 November 2025 at 15.40. They were using both electric & petrol motorbikes to do stunts and cut up the turf. One rider sprayed us with mud. One bike had a number plate, but it was not possible to read it from the video.
Completed job from the top of the Nelson Monument — after fencing erected around the new turf. The turfed area had been barren & compacted for the past decade. The turf was bought by the Trust, Café Calton and the Collective Gallery, with rotavation & top soil provided by Edinburgh Council.
November 12, 2025 at 9:31 PM
Completed job from the top of the Nelson Monument — after fencing erected around the new turf. The turfed area had been barren & compacted for the past decade. The turf was bought by the Trust, Café Calton and the Collective Gallery, with rotavation & top soil provided by Edinburgh Council.
BRAVO & THANK YOU to all our skilled, hard-working volunteers. We laid 240 square metres today (12 November 2025) in a great concerted effort. The turf came late — and the weather forecast was bad for tomorrow — but the job was completed just in time!
November 12, 2025 at 9:10 PM
BRAVO & THANK YOU to all our skilled, hard-working volunteers. We laid 240 square metres today (12 November 2025) in a great concerted effort. The turf came late — and the weather forecast was bad for tomorrow — but the job was completed just in time!
Thanks to THAT'S TV and Rachel Kinnear for making available our chair's interview on the EROSION EMERGENCY on 24 September. There was a follow-up interview yesterday (10 November).
November 11, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Thanks to THAT'S TV and Rachel Kinnear for making available our chair's interview on the EROSION EMERGENCY on 24 September. There was a follow-up interview yesterday (10 November).
Preparations for COMMUNITY ACTION re-turfing in front of the National Monument, Calton Hill, in reaction to the EROSION EMERGENCY. Wednesday 12 Nov from 11.00: FOUR VOLUNTEERS STILL NEEDED. Write . Thanks to @edinburghcouncil.bsky.social for help with rotavation etc.
November 8, 2025 at 9:31 PM
Preparations for COMMUNITY ACTION re-turfing in front of the National Monument, Calton Hill, in reaction to the EROSION EMERGENCY. Wednesday 12 Nov from 11.00: FOUR VOLUNTEERS STILL NEEDED. Write . Thanks to @edinburghcouncil.bsky.social for help with rotavation etc.
Is there a WORDPRESS PLUMBER reading this? We have some digital pipes that need fixing. A logo that went down the wrong tube, some type sizes that have caused a blockage . . . that kind of thing. Not an emergency, more a tuning up with two or three Google fonts. Please post or DM. Many thanks.
November 8, 2025 at 10:04 AM
Is there a WORDPRESS PLUMBER reading this? We have some digital pipes that need fixing. A logo that went down the wrong tube, some type sizes that have caused a blockage . . . that kind of thing. Not an emergency, more a tuning up with two or three Google fonts. Please post or DM. Many thanks.
Today three VOLUNTEERS did a test removal of GROUND IVY in Greenside, Calton Hill. We cleared about 50 square metres in two hours. Extensive surface roots — also huge amounts of buried tin, glass and plastic.
November 7, 2025 at 10:11 PM
Today three VOLUNTEERS did a test removal of GROUND IVY in Greenside, Calton Hill. We cleared about 50 square metres in two hours. Extensive surface roots — also huge amounts of buried tin, glass and plastic.
Looking at BIODIVERSITY, we have mapped the hill in terms of 'NATURALNESS' and SPECIES RICHNESS (or abundance of species present). The central area of 'improved' grassland is low, the inner surrounding area with more natural grass and scrub is medium, and the outer woodland area is high. 3/
November 7, 2025 at 9:50 AM
Looking at BIODIVERSITY, we have mapped the hill in terms of 'NATURALNESS' and SPECIES RICHNESS (or abundance of species present). The central area of 'improved' grassland is low, the inner surrounding area with more natural grass and scrub is medium, and the outer woodland area is high. 3/
The Calton Hill GRASSLANDS are of different types. In the centre there are areas which have been sown ("improved") mainly with ryegrass (Lolium perenne) surrounded by neutral and more fragmented acid grasslands, and one place with calcareous plants by the Nelson Monument. 2/
November 7, 2025 at 9:25 AM
The Calton Hill GRASSLANDS are of different types. In the centre there are areas which have been sown ("improved") mainly with ryegrass (Lolium perenne) surrounded by neutral and more fragmented acid grasslands, and one place with calcareous plants by the Nelson Monument. 2/
The Trust have been MAPPING CALTON HILL to show the balance between the historic centre of the hill with its buildings & monuments (surrounded by GRASSLANDS), and the outer slopes with their natural and semi-natural wildlife habitats (SCRUB, 'under-scrub' and WOODLAND). 1/
November 7, 2025 at 9:13 AM
The Trust have been MAPPING CALTON HILL to show the balance between the historic centre of the hill with its buildings & monuments (surrounded by GRASSLANDS), and the outer slopes with their natural and semi-natural wildlife habitats (SCRUB, 'under-scrub' and WOODLAND). 1/
And then THERE WAS MUD. Unfortunately some areas on Calton Hill have deteriorated further in the past few days. These were until recently grassed. We hope this areas can be reinstated, but they are outside our current returfing project area.
November 5, 2025 at 6:09 PM
And then THERE WAS MUD. Unfortunately some areas on Calton Hill have deteriorated further in the past few days. These were until recently grassed. We hope this areas can be reinstated, but they are outside our current returfing project area.
New MEMBERSHIP FEE rates: Our Special Members’ Meeting agreed new fees. As of 1 November 2025, these are now fixed at £25 per individual per annum, £35 per household, with a concessionary rate of £15. Renewals at the new rate will begin on 1 January 2026.
November 4, 2025 at 11:40 AM
New MEMBERSHIP FEE rates: Our Special Members’ Meeting agreed new fees. As of 1 November 2025, these are now fixed at £25 per individual per annum, £35 per household, with a concessionary rate of £15. Renewals at the new rate will begin on 1 January 2026.
Calton Hill FIREWORK CONTROL ZONE (FCZ) came into operation on 31 October 2025 & will continue until 9 November. CHCT appreciate the clear signage from @edinburghcouncil.bsky.social. We hope the FCZ will ensure less litter, environmental damage, noise pollution & anti-social behaviour, as in 2024.
November 1, 2025 at 9:55 AM
Calton Hill FIREWORK CONTROL ZONE (FCZ) came into operation on 31 October 2025 & will continue until 9 November. CHCT appreciate the clear signage from @edinburghcouncil.bsky.social. We hope the FCZ will ensure less litter, environmental damage, noise pollution & anti-social behaviour, as in 2024.
GRASS RE-SEEDING: The Trust re-seeded a small area in front of the Dugald Stewart Monument on 19 September — using old rye grass seed swept up from the floor of a storeroom — it look a surprisingly long time but eventually it germinated!
October 25, 2025 at 9:39 AM
GRASS RE-SEEDING: The Trust re-seeded a small area in front of the Dugald Stewart Monument on 19 September — using old rye grass seed swept up from the floor of a storeroom — it look a surprisingly long time but eventually it germinated!
COMMUNITY ACTION to combat the EROSION EMERGENCY: Calton Hill Conservation Trust and the Café Calton have bought 180 square metres of turf for laying in front of the National Monument on 12 November. 12 VOLUNTEERS NEEDED on 12 NOVEMBER. Write <[email protected]>.
October 23, 2025 at 9:07 AM
COMMUNITY ACTION to combat the EROSION EMERGENCY: Calton Hill Conservation Trust and the Café Calton have bought 180 square metres of turf for laying in front of the National Monument on 12 November. 12 VOLUNTEERS NEEDED on 12 NOVEMBER. Write <[email protected]>.
Many THANKS to everyone who came to our 12th Litter Pickup today. Not a lot of rubbish in the open on the top of the hill, so we concentrated on old deposits of glass, tins and plastics in less accessible places. There are still huge quantities of these, but we are making progress removing it.
October 18, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Many THANKS to everyone who came to our 12th Litter Pickup today. Not a lot of rubbish in the open on the top of the hill, so we concentrated on old deposits of glass, tins and plastics in less accessible places. There are still huge quantities of these, but we are making progress removing it.
Unfortunately the PORTALOOS located on Regent Walk continue to be a target for VANDALISM. The only vandals in 2024 were the seagulls, but from spring 2025 we've had a series of incidents.
October 17, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Unfortunately the PORTALOOS located on Regent Walk continue to be a target for VANDALISM. The only vandals in 2024 were the seagulls, but from spring 2025 we've had a series of incidents.
12th LITTER PICKUP: Saturday, 18 October 2025, 10.00 from outside the City Observatory/Collective. Lasting 90 minutes. Equipment & refreshments provided. All welcome — members and NON-MEMBERS. Please bring gloves. Let us know you are coming — via <[email protected]>.
October 11, 2025 at 4:12 PM
12th LITTER PICKUP: Saturday, 18 October 2025, 10.00 from outside the City Observatory/Collective. Lasting 90 minutes. Equipment & refreshments provided. All welcome — members and NON-MEMBERS. Please bring gloves. Let us know you are coming — via <[email protected]>.
From DEPUTATION to MOTION: The Council responded positively yesterday (2 October 2025) to the CALTON HILL EROSION EMERGENCY deputation. Here is the final text from the Edinburgh Council Culture and Communities Committee.
October 3, 2025 at 2:10 PM
From DEPUTATION to MOTION: The Council responded positively yesterday (2 October 2025) to the CALTON HILL EROSION EMERGENCY deputation. Here is the final text from the Edinburgh Council Culture and Communities Committee.
HERAS FENCING REMOVED. Delighted to report the test returfing/reseeding area done in May is at last reopened to the public. The grass is looking good and we hope it remains in good condition through the winter. We'll be monitoring it. @finlaymcf.bsky.social
October 2, 2025 at 8:58 PM
HERAS FENCING REMOVED. Delighted to report the test returfing/reseeding area done in May is at last reopened to the public. The grass is looking good and we hope it remains in good condition through the winter. We'll be monitoring it. @finlaymcf.bsky.social
Dozens of SMALL WHITE BUTTERFLIES (Pieris rapae?) in the sunshine on the warm slope about Regent Walk today.
September 28, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Dozens of SMALL WHITE BUTTERFLIES (Pieris rapae?) in the sunshine on the warm slope about Regent Walk today.