Please contact <[email protected]> if you are interested in coming on the astronomy walk. It will be free for members, non-members will be asked to make a £10 donation on arrival. 3/

Andy Lawrence is Regius Professor of Astronomy at the University of Edinburgh, based on Blackford Hill. His research concentrates on quasars & the supermassive black holes they contain, but he also specializes in survey astronomy, space environmentalism, and the history of Astronomy in Edinburgh. 2/

"Some of the topography is hidden under bridges and buildings, but we will try and strip that away to appreciate the low, craggy, stream-lined hill that plays such a big part in the landscape of Edinburgh.” 5/end

"The other part of the story involves eroding rocks, over a long period of time, to create the shape of the hill that we know and love today. " 4/

"... but there are clues that help work out the relationship between Calton Hill and Arthur's Seat, and the architecture of the volcano or volcanoes of central Edinburgh. Along the way we'll meet some lovely rocks, including the smoothest rock in Edinburgh and some of the youngest." 3/

Angus Miller writes: “Calton Hill is made of a pile of tough igneous rock: lava flows and layers of debris, all volcanic in origin. But Calton Hill is not a volcano in its own right, because there is no crater here. Where was it? We don't know for sure . . . 2/

We are hoping future turf laying will all be at this time of year as it makes the maintenance so much easier. We have laid 300 square metres in total — all paid for by the community, Calton Hill Conservation Trust, Café Calton, Collective Gallery and Seven Hills Race.

We reported the incident to the police. They came to see us and followed up with some patrols on the hill over the weekend. Many thanks to @policescotland.bsky.social for taking action.

No, fortunately not. The dirt bikers were further east, near Hume Walk.

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.

Press support really appreciated. Many thanks.

We've been advised that it will give us more plant diversity, however this is just a test — there is a huge amount of ivy on site. It blankets the ground and little else can grow when it is well established.