Edinburgh Outdoors

Growing Matters is a community charity transforming the walled garden at Gilmerton House in East Lothian.  Ten years into a 25 year plan, they are bringing biodiversity, wildlife and lots of flowers and produce to a previously unloved four acre space. 

With volunteers including a beekeeper, a hydrologist, a willow specialist and skilled gardeners, the garden is a wonderful community project that's transforming lives through the outdoors and creating an oasis within swathes of largescale farmland. 

The garden has an open day 12-4pm on Sunday 23 August 2026 when you can go along and visit, enjoy tea by the pond and then buy some produce to take home. 

You can find more details about Growing Matters here: https://www.growingmatters.org.uk/

And on their Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/growingatgilmerton/

The location is here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/XVo7XcmxBbZcCgHa9

You can see pictures on my Substack:  https://edinburghoutdoors.substack.com/p/edinburgh-outdoors-podcast

And on Instagram: @edinburgh.outdoors_

And Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/edinburghoutdoors/

Drakkar's Drift is a new garden set in Victoria Park on Newhaven Road and was designed by Royal Horticultural Society Young Designer of the Year, Luke Coleman.  The garden is ideal for enjoying the outdoors, running around, sitting in, or just admiring its design.  It was originally in an RHS garden show last year and with the support of its sponsor, Edinburgh Council, it has been moved, stored and then relocated to Victoria Park in early 2026.

I met Luke to find out how you design a garden and then move it across the country to create something completely new.  We also talked about gardening for climate change, the benefits of community and his love of the outdoors.  

Drakkar's Drift is HERE

Luke Coleman Gardens are here: https://www.lukecoleman.co.uk/

You can see pictures of the garden on my Substack: https://edinburghoutdoors.substack.com/

and also on Instagram: @edinburghoutdoors_

Join me on a walk around the Water of Leith Basins to discover how the Friends group (aka FOWLB) manages the area with volunteer, swan expert, wildlife enthusiast and belly dancer, Hilary Thacker.  

Hilary taught me so much about swans and their conservation and I went along with her to spot swans on the water, help feed them and to hear about the history of the area. 

We met at Basin 3 HERE

We crossed bridges: Great Junction Street, Sandport and Victoria Swing Bridge

You can view the barrages that collect waste HERE

The beautiful wee garden is HERE

FOWLB has a Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/FriendsOfTheWaterOfLeithBasin/

Hilary's Wildlife page is here: https://www.facebook.com/people/Hilarys-wildlife/61580799722901/

You can also volunteer on some other projects via the Water of Leith Conservation Trust: https://www.waterofleith.org.uk/

You can find my previous episode with the Water of Leith Conservation Trust: https://edinburghoutdoors.podbean.com/e/hugging-trees-on-the-water-of-leith/

Pictures can be viewed on my Substack page https://edinburghoutdoors.substack.com/p/edinburgh-outdoors-podcast

There is also Instagram: @edinburghoutdoors_

And a Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/edinburghoutdoors/

Horticulturalist, Emily Hairstans, was the recent winner of Scotland's Home of the Year TV programme.  Her garden featured heavily in the judges' praise for the 'Homegrown Hoose'.  I met with Emily in her garden and with chickens clucking around us, we talked about her horticultural career and of course, some behind the scenes insights from being part of the programme. 

So if you are a SHOTY fan, this is the episode for you!  If you aren't, you may still enjoy the gardening, chicken and Edinburgh chat ...

Emily gardens at the Collective on Calton Hill and you can see the garden HERE

For photographs check out my Substack: https://edinburghoutdoors.substack.com/p/edinburgh-outdoors-podcast

Edinburgh Outdoors is also on Instagram: @edinburghoutdoors_

and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/edinburghoutdoors/

And even sometimes on TikTok! @edinburgh.outdoor

Hawthorn Bank Walled Garden in South Queensferry is home to a huge mosaic created by local people, set within a tranquil and beautiful garden.

I met up with GreenFerry, the team behind local gardening and floral displays who also maintain the garden and then met Gary and Mike, the locals behind the creation of a stunning and fascinating mosaic depicting life in South Queensferry. 

You can visit the garden and see the mosaic: HERE

Follow GreenFerry on Facebook and find about volunteering too: https://www.facebook.com/GreenFerrySQ/

Learn more about Scotland's Garden Scheme: https://scotlandsgardens.org/

View pictures of the site and work behind its restoration on the Edinburgh Outdoors Substack page: https://edinburghoutdoors.substack.com/p/edinburgh-outdoors-podcast

You can also follow Edinburgh Outdoors on Instagram: @edinburghoutdoors_