Environment

WET, WET, WET … AND SLIPPERY

Submitted by Editor on Fri, 05/04/2024 - 12:15

Canonmills Haugh or Loch may have been drained in 1847, but old habits die hard.

The hollow in which King George V Park and The Yard now nestle was formed in the last Ice Age, and, whether caused by natural or human influences, has been apt to fill up with water ever since.

Today, after what seems like weeks of continuous rain, the path connecting the Rodney Street Tunnel to Logan Street has flooded yet again.

SUNSHINE ON PICARDY

Submitted by Editor on Thu, 14/12/2023 - 10:08

The state of Edinburgh’s public realm in general and Picardy Place in particular have come in for a lot of criticism lately.

As an experiment, we wondered whether a mix of sunshine, poetic perspective and positive thinking might change the way we feel about Broughton's newly created Fantasy Island.

See what you think.

TREE CHEERS FOR COMPROMISE

Submitted by Editor on Mon, 26/06/2023 - 00:01

GEORGE STREET MAY GET GREENER

Built-heritage hard nuts and bark-hugging philarborists have compromised over proposals to improve and beautify George Street.

Until recently, architectural purists had argued for retaining the First New Town’s strict punctuation of hard design sentences with leafy full stops. Environmentally minded urbanists wanted softer sentences instead, with semi-colons to improve air quality, provide shade, and boost physical/mental wellbeing.

OPEN GARDENS THIS JUNE

Submitted by Editor on Thu, 01/06/2023 - 00:01

If you’re looking for an inspiring afternoon out in Edinburgh on 25 June, why not join the hosts of the open gardens of Stockbridge (and surrounds) and have a bogle at their plots full of plants?

Under the Scotland’s Gardens Scheme umbrella, from 12 noon until 4.30 pm, a trail of eight private city gardens will tempt visitors to explore the New Town, Stockbridge and Canonmills area, where the owners will be on hand to answer questions and receive compliments!

ART AND NATURE … AND FREE TREES

Submitted by Editor on Fri, 03/03/2023 - 16:45

CHARLIE ELLIS WANDERS BESIDE THE WATER OF LEITH

The relationship between art and nature is evident on the Water of Leith. This is expressed most obviously through Anthony Gormley’s figures but also in the ‘accidental’ art forged by the surge of late December, which saw torrents of water cascade through the river's gorges and under its bridges.

ODD BLOTCHES GIVE CONCERN

Submitted by Editor on Tue, 01/03/2022 - 00:00

Spot of bother for the St James Quarter

Is the St James Quarter starting to rust?

Rather surprisingly, the answer may be yes. At least parts of it, if one local’s misgivings prove correct.

Antony Jack lives close to the Quarter’s St James Square, and has been a long-suffering observer of its progress over the years.

In recent weeks, since colder weather has set in, Jack has noticed the appearance of these reddish-brown spots on the steps of the Grand Stair.