I joined the always interesting, Angus Miller of GeoWalks for another exploration of Edinburgh's geology. We headed up to Blackford Hill and into the Hermitage to discover how our hills were formed by volcanic activity and then shaped through glaciation. Many of us walk around our local greenspace without knowing where to spot fascinating glimpses of how the city was formed millions of years ago.
We started out by Agassiz Rock, a SSSI and site of glaciation discovery; explored the Hermitage ravine which was formed by a dramatic flood of glacial meltwater; and then discovered the layers of different rock that form Blackford Hill after multiple volcanic eruptions. Check out the links below to find the spots we visited and discover more about this brilliant history for yourself.
Agassiz Rock is in Blackford Glen: HERE
You can read more about it on the Edinburgh Geological Society website: HERE
The "Scout Bridge" is where the glens merge: HERE
The Hermitage can be accessed from either Braid Road, Morningside or Blackford Glen Road, Liberton (on foot once you enter the reserve from the entrance points): HERE
Blackford Hill has great views of the city: HERE
The wall with the different rocks along its top: HERE
The site of the three layers of volcanic rock is beside the Duck Pond: HERE
And if you want to know more about Angus Miller and GeoWalks: https://geowalks.scot/
--------
32:34
Bonaly Country Park with the Green Team
Bonaly Country Park is on the edge of the Pentland Hills and was the location for a kids’ Green Explorers day run by the impressive Green Team charity. As I go round meeting people through the Edinburgh outdoors community, the name of the Green Team comes up time and again because they work with so many organisations.
The Green Team inspires kids and young people to find enjoyment and support from the outdoors. From a fun day foraging and playing games to volunteering on conservation projects, there are activities for all ages. I met some of the team including Co Chief Executive, Penny Radway, and some exuberant and joyful 8-12 year olds to find out more about the charity.
Our location was here
To find the Green Team and sign up for Green Explorers or other programmes: https://www.Green team.org.uk
--------
25:51
Scotland's Women Writers with Ruth Boreham
Ruth Boreham is a local provider of women's history walks. We met in the Old Town to enjoy a chat about Scotland's often overlooked, but hugely talented, women writers. We started out in Lady Stair's Close which is home to a beautiful building that houses the Writers' Museum. The Museum focuses on just three writers: Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson, but we talked women instead!
We also enjoyed studying the paving stones of Makar's Court which are covered in quotations from Scottish writers through the years.
Lady Stair's Close is between the Mound and the Lawnmarket: https://maps.app.goo.gl/LVMx12gPuPYWVYzU7
If you want to find out more about the women writers we talked about you can find links below:
Mairi Mhor nan Oran: https://www.thebottleimp.org.uk/2017/06/a-sense-of-place-in-the-poetry-of-mairi-mhor-nan-oran/
Susan Ferrier: https://www.nls.uk/learning-zone/literature-and-language/themes-in-focus/women-novelists/susan-ferrier/
DE Stevenson: https://dalyght.ca/DEStevenson/index.html
Mary Somerville: https://www.nls.uk/collections/john-murray/authors/mary-somerville/
Ruth Boreham's website is here: http://ruthboreham.com/
The Scottish Poetry Library is a great resource: https://www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk/
For the Scottish Women Writers book published by the National Museums of Scotland: here
--------
38:06
Tea with Edinburgh Union Canal Society
The Edinburgh Union Canal opened in 1822 to transport coal and other goods into the city. It closed to commercial traffic in the 1960s, but is now busy with rowers, canal boats and wildlife. Ford Buchanan is treasurer of the Edinburgh Union Canal Society, and he welcomed me for tea beside the well loved boathouse on Ashley Terrace, and we talked about how the society manages the age old tradition of Sunday afternoon boating and its role in supporting activities on the canal. We also talked about plans to build a new boathouse on the site and how people can come along and enjoy the society's events, which seem to involve quite a lot of cake, as well as its role in hiring out their own boats on a Sunday afternoon.
So listen into our chat and you'll hear school rowing boats and friends passing by and how Edinburgh's notorious Burke & Hare started out working on the canal.
To view the Boathouse on Ashley Terrace and rent rowing boats go here
To find out more about EUCS: https://www.eucs.org.uk/
--------
30:29
Tandem Cycling with VIE Velo
VIE Velo is an Edinburgh cycling community that pairs sighted and sight impaired cyclists who head out on tandems together. This club is an example of how a passion for cycling transcends the usual volunteer/participant set-up, with all members of the club simply being there because they love cycling. You'll also hear how much they love stopping for cake and chat too.
I was blown away by the positivity and welcome I received from the members of VIE Velo and enjoyed talking to them about cycling, wearing bright pink, sight impairment and how this club is just an example of excellence.
We talked in Abercorn Park in Portobello and then I met up with the cyclists heading out the following day from their base in Saughton Park.
To find Abercorn Park: https://maps.app.goo.gl/VtaahqQ82XHBCfcQ6
To find Saughton Park https://maps.app.goo.gl/5nQj5KNs98HUrxA17
And for more about VIE Velo visit their website: https://www.cyclinguk.org/group/vie-velo
Edinburgh Outdoors is a podcast exploring the city’s green spaces and the people in them. From community gardens to secret spaces, learning about the city’s history or just finding a space to breathe, getting outside brings benefit to everyone, and being outdoors in Edinburgh is the best place to be!
UK