Rough grazing will return to the capital’s upland slopes if plans by an Edinburgh goat breeder get the go-ahead.
Elizabeth Massingberd (85) tends a flock of 12 Baljuvan Mountain Goats at her townhouse on Regent Terrace. She keeps another flock of 250 on family-owned moors above Balerno.
Her proposal is to release the two ‘clans’ across parts of the city centre.
Just look at these!
Two images caught last month by reader Jamie McCowan on St Vincent Place.
As reported in Issue 343, a family of the birds was seen nesting on the high red chimney of McDonald Rd in August but has since dispersed.
This one, judging by its buff colour, is the juvenile.
Has anyone else noticed this absolutely huge Bellevue squirrel?
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A cold walk over Calton Hill this afternoon.
And suddenly we were not alone.
Between the hill and the sky, an amber vibration.
And then this kestrel rippling, attention fixed on the frost-stiffened grass.
Pure concentration.
Sometimes, balancing so high, he was nearly lost to view.
Sometimes, so close, you were relieved not to catch his eye.
Edinburgh is an astonishing city.