Calton Hill Conservation Trust @caltonhill.bsky.social · 21hWhat lies beneath Calton Hill? Headland Archaeology have published a new case study on their work with CHCT earlier this year, giving us a good opportunity to revisit what the project revealed about the hill’s archaeological potential. 251
Calton Hill Conservation Trust @caltonhill.bsky.social · 05/10/2026A brace of litter picks for October: 🧤 Edinburgh Trash Club Tue 6 Oct, 6.30pm Meet outside Herringbone, London Road Gardens Kit provided, one-hour pick, then Jeremiah’s Taproom Instagram: @edinburghtrashclub 155
Calton Hill Conservation Trust @caltonhill.bsky.social · 29/09/2026Vandalised portaloo and a bin fire on Calton Hill, both issues reported to the Council by CHCT over the last few days. At this week's Calton Hill Forum meeting we'll be finding out more from Council officers about plans to improve lighting and security on the hill. 130
Calton Hill Conservation Trust @caltonhill.bsky.social · 25/09/2026Gorse and broom clearance has now started on Calton Hill. These photos show the first areas being worked on, with signage explaining why the vegetation is being managed. The aim is to protect priority grassland habitats, reduce encroachment, and help lower fire risk over time. 071
Calton Hill Conservation Trust @caltonhill.bsky.social · 24/09/2026Visitors to Calton Hill may notice Council staff, Park Rangers and corporate volunteers beginning seasonal gorse and broom clearance over the coming weeks. CHCT has been discussing the work with Edinburgh Council officers, following site visits and habitat mapping. 110
Calton Hill Conservation Trust @caltonhill.bsky.social · 18/09/2026Good news from lower Greenside 🌿 After Himalayan balsam was identified near the Calton Hill boundary last year, CHCT volunteers removed the plants before they could spread further into the woodland and become much harder to control. 140
Calton Hill Conservation Trust @caltonhill.bsky.social · 16/09/2026Edinburgh Council is consulting on a proposal to grant formal vehicle access from Greenside Row to the rear of Greenside Church and house, over Common Good land at Calton Hill. CHCT trustees have discussed the proposal and intend to object. 131
Calton Hill Conservation Trust @caltonhill.bsky.social · 31/08/2026The annual Collective Gala returns to Calton Hill on Saturday 5 September (11am–4pm) with a free day of art, music, performances, makers, family activities, guided tours, exhibitions and more. Free admission and everyone welcome. Find out more: caltonhilltrust.org/collective-g...caltonhilltrust.orgCollective Gala, Saturday 5 September - Calton Hill Conservation TrustThe Collective Gallery will be holding their annual Gala on Saturday 5 September 2026 – a free day of art, music, makers, and tours 031
Calton Hill Conservation Trust @caltonhill.bsky.social · 26/08/2026The Board thanks Simon Holledge for his ideas, energy and commitment, which helped CHCT make significant progress and evolve from Friends of Calton Hill into an established charity. Vice Chair Susan Poupard is now Acting Chair while the Board begins the process of seeking a new Chair. 130
Calton Hill Conservation Trust @caltonhill.bsky.social · 24/08/2026Simon Holledge, Chair of the CALTON HILL CONSERVATION TRUST, is standing down on Tuesday 25 August 2026, after three and a half years in post. The recent photo shows Simon recently spraying the returfed area in the front of the National Monument. 054
Calton Hill Conservation Trust @caltonhill.bsky.social · 23/08/2026Thank you to TOM DUFFIN for a fascinating photography walk on Saturday. Tom showed us views and angles we didn't even know existed. Great experience! Now we know how to align the Balmoral with the Castle! @tomduffinphotos.bsky.social 0102
Calton Hill Conservation Trust @caltonhill.bsky.social · 19/08/2026We still have places available for our first special PHOTOGRAPHY WALK, led by TOM DUFFIN, on Saturday (22 August) at 10.00 from the Portuguese Cannon. Members and non-members welcome. Contact <chair@caltonhilltrust.org> to sign up. @tomduffinphotos.bsky.social 145
Calton Hill Conservation Trust @caltonhill.bsky.social · 18/08/2026The Trust also monitor the hill for necessary maintenance and repairs. This is a recently updated map of cracked, displaced and collapsed stone walls and steps that need attention. We look for funding for this work where it can't be done by @edinburghcouncil.bsky.social. 030
Calton Hill Conservation Trust @caltonhill.bsky.social · 17/08/2026NATIONAL MONUMENT — PERMANENT BLACK MARKER PEN tagging: Reported April & August, there's a proliferation on a back column. Permanent ink is difficult to wash off so @edinburghcouncil.bsky.social & Historic Environment Scotland are considering suitable removal/protection methods: update promised! 181
Calton Hill Conservation Trust @caltonhill.bsky.social · 16/08/2026Security camera needed? CALTON HILL ACCESS BARRIER again VANDALISED. At some date after 3 August, the padlock & attachment were snapped off. The gate is left open instead of closed at 10pm. Taxis are now using the road at least as late as 11pm. The padlock has been broken in the past (see photo). 152
Calton Hill Conservation Trust @caltonhill.bsky.social · 12/08/2026CALTON HILL on TV: 'A House Through Time' returns this week, documenting the people who lived in a Calton Hill property over the years. Episode 1 on Thursday 13 Aug, BBC2, 21:00, with the story of the house's first residents in the 18th century. www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...bbc.co.ukBBC Two - A House Through Time, Series 6: Edinburgh, Episode 1In 1799, a church minister aids the escape of French prisoners from Edinburgh Castle. 151
Calton Hill Conservation Trust @caltonhill.bsky.social · 12/08/2026Astronomical Society of Edinburgh PARTIAL SOLAR ECLIPSE VIEWING on Calton Hill this evening. They have eclipse glasses. It is DANGEROUS to look at the eclipse directly without protection! www.astronomyedinburgh.org/event/partia...astronomyedinburgh.orgPartial Solar Eclipse Viewing on Calton Hill - Astronomical Society of EdinburghJoin us in the evening on 12 August to watch the amazing partial eclipse of the Sun. We'll have our solar telescopes with us plus lots of free eclipse glasses to give away. 054
Reposted by Calton Hill Conservation Trustspurtle.bsky.social @spurtle.bsky.social · 01/08/2026ISSUE 364 PUBLISHED TODAY!—August Spurtle available from shops, pubs and services across Broughton and beyond. Free fit-in-your-pocket pdf downloadable from: www.broughtonspurtle.org.uk #Edinburgh #hyperlocal #news 1136
Reposted by Calton Hill Conservation Trustspurtle.bsky.social @spurtle.bsky.social · 04/08/2026CALTON HILL.—Work in progress. Emii Alrai’s 'Guardian' being installed today in time for the Edinburgh Art Festival. Details here: www.broughtonspurtle.org.uk/news/work-pr... #Edinburgh #hyperlocal #news #art #EdinburghArtFestival 1163
Calton Hill Conservation Trust @caltonhill.bsky.social · 31/07/2026We are holding a Calton HILL PHOTOGRAPHY WALK on Saturday 22 August at 10.00, led by the well-known photographer TOM DUFFIN, famous for capturing Scotland’s people & places. Contact <chair@caltonhilltrust.org> to join. @tomduffinphotos.bsky.social 1/ 11411
Reposted by Calton Hill Conservation TrustNew Town & Broughton Community Council @ntbcc.bsky.social · 27/07/2026Really hard to understand why someone would do this in the first place - a better understanding of the cause is key to reducing incidences such as this. Credit to @caltonhill.bsky.social for raising the issue & for @edinburghcouncil.bsky.social for removing expediently. 122
Calton Hill Conservation Trust @caltonhill.bsky.social · 26/07/2026An important habitat belonging to the NORTHERN BROWN ARGUS butterfly has been lost in the Holyrood Park gorse fire. This could affect the Edinburgh Nature Network biodiversity project for Calton Hill. www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/arthurs...edinburghnews.scotsman.comConcern over wildfire impact on 'very rare' butterfly habitat near Arthur's SeatThe wildfire near Arthur’s Seat was sparked Sunday, July 19 and spread quickly to the western side of the cliff 062
Calton Hill Conservation Trust @caltonhill.bsky.social · 21/07/2026UPDATE: the graffiti was removed by the Council 'Specialist Jet Washing Team' during the weekend (18/19 July 2026). We are grateful for their prompt action. 061
Reposted by Calton Hill Conservation TrustElla @ellatasm.bsky.social · 20/07/2026From the Parliament 093
Reposted by Calton Hill Conservation TrustElla @ellatasm.bsky.social · 20/07/2026And on the south side of Salisbury Crags. Edinburgh 1133
Reposted by Calton Hill Conservation TrustEdinburghMinute.com @edinburghminute.com · 20/07/2026Better news: the fire has died down this morning. Fire crews have been on site all night: 04010
Reposted by Calton Hill Conservation TrustAngus Miller @geowalks.scot · 19/07/2026Excellent photo that shows the problem with Holyrood Park. It's the gorse, not the grass, that burns. Not enough resources to properly deal with the gorse. So this will happen again and again with all the attendant costs and implications for wildlife and human health. 3136
Calton Hill Conservation Trust @caltonhill.bsky.social · 18/07/2026GRAFFITI on the NATIONAL MONUMENT on Calton Hill. We think it was done between late on 15 July and early on 18 July. Not political. Crudely obscene, but mostly just a mess. We have reported it to the @edinburghcouncil.bsky.social graffiti team. We would like CCTV installed to protect the site. 081
Calton Hill Conservation Trust @caltonhill.bsky.social · 18/07/2026We are now seeing plants growing on the National Monument. This is something new — at least within the past 3 years. We are talking to @edinburghcouncil.bsky.social and other partner organisations about the best way to remove it. 161
Calton Hill Conservation Trust @caltonhill.bsky.social · 17/07/2026The rare PURPLE MILK-VETCH (astragalus danicus) flowering plant has been rediscovered on Calton Hill. In 2006 this nationally endangered flower was listed as the outstanding notable species for the hill. The photograph is by Ben Averis, taken in Fife in 2021. 1154
Calton Hill Conservation Trust @caltonhill.bsky.social · 13/07/2026Trust volunteers have been doing a TRIAL WATERING of the parched re-turfed area of the grass, on top of the hill in front of the National Monument (12 July 2026). Using 25-litre water containers and 12 litre watering cans, we have been testing water absorption . . . 1/ 152
Calton Hill Conservation Trust @caltonhill.bsky.social · 13/07/2026Want to join the 'HIGH LIFE'? The Trust are holding their 15th LITTER PICK on CALTON HILL on Saturday 18 July from 10.00 to about 11.30. All welcome. Equipment/refreshments provided but please bring gloves. Ask for Gerry. 031
Reposted by Calton Hill Conservation TrustDonald Anderson @da-anderson.bsky.social · 08/07/2026The Stonechats were delightfully cooperative at the wonderful Little France Park last night. #bird #birds 1193
Reposted by Calton Hill Conservation TrustAriaa® @ariaa.bsky.social · 05/07/2026Supposedly the most intelligent of all species...humans. 61125853918
Calton Hill Conservation Trust @caltonhill.bsky.social · 30/06/2026Today’s volunteering (30 June 2026) is CANCELLED — due to the prospect of HEAVY RAIN. We have rescheduled to Tuesday 14 July, 11.00 to 15.00. 011
Calton Hill Conservation Trust @caltonhill.bsky.social · 25/06/2026TREES on top of CALTON HILL — We’ve been looking at historic maps + tree IDs to understand what was planted in the 19th century, and what's survived into the 20th/21st centuries. Trees are important — not just for biodiversity but also for historical authenticity. caltonhilltrust.org/tree-plantin... 193
Reposted by Calton Hill Conservation TrustAngus Miller @geowalks.scot · 24/06/2026A pleasure. Good company, fine views on a lovely sunny morning. 0112
Reposted by Calton Hill Conservation Trustnickkempe.bsky.social @nickkempe.bsky.social · 19/06/2026New post Parkswatchscotland: Invasive Sitka and the Cairngorms National Park parkswatchscotland.co.uk/?p=33233 023
Calton Hill Conservation Trust @caltonhill.bsky.social · 23/06/2026Thanks to ANGUS MILLER, the well-known geologist, for showing us ‘The view from Calton Hill: James Hutton’s Edinburgh’, on our HUTTON TERCENTENARY WALK on 20 June, celebrating the ‘father of geology’ (dates 3 June 1726 – 26 March 1797), and of course all who came to our event. @geowalks.scot 081
Reposted by Calton Hill Conservation TrustScottish Geology Trust @scottishgeology.bsky.social · 22/06/2026Last (week) but certainly not least! The final week of the Scottish Geology Festival is packed with events. We cover it all, from literature, music, fashion and more. Attend a concert or a rock museum, learn about caves, or see how geology inspires creativity in our creative workshops. 153
Reposted by Calton Hill Conservation TrustAsh Whiffin @ashwhiffin.bsky.social · 22/06/2026Schnoz to schnoz 👃🏻 Adult Drinker moths (Euthrix potatoria) are always a joy to see, with their chunky fluffy bodies, those rich warm tones of orange and brown, big black eyes and their adorable little snoots. I couldn’t resist going nose to nose with this one recently. Happy #InsectWeek! 1543
Reposted by Calton Hill Conservation TrustSimon Holledge @holledge.bsky.social · 21/06/2026Drawings of the Theron Tomb appeared in William Wilkens, The Antiquities of Magna Graecia, London 1807, and were probably used by William Henry Playfair in his designs for the Playfair Monument erected in 1825 on Calton Hill, Edinburgh. 2/ 051
Reposted by Calton Hill Conservation TrustSimon Holledge @holledge.bsky.social · 21/06/2026VAGUELY FAMILIAR? Earlier this month we saw the ‘Tomb of Theron’ (Tomba di Terone) in #Agrigento, Sicily. Not really the tomb of Theron, (Tyrant of Acragas, 488 to 472BC), probably 3rd to 1st century BC. 1/ 131
Calton Hill Conservation Trust @caltonhill.bsky.social · 17/06/2026Thanks to our VOLUNTEERS from ROYAL LONDON for clearing the stone rainwater runoff channels in front of the Nelson Monument and City Observatory, and also down Calton Hill Drive, on 16 June 2026. Great job — and we maintained our 100% record of no rain on volunteer days. 1/ 1115
Calton Hill Conservation Trust @caltonhill.bsky.social · 17/06/2026The Trust have now published a report — by Headland Archaeology — on the Calton Hill COMMUNITY ARCHAEOLOGY PROJECT & photogrammetry survey in January/February 2026. <https://caltonhilltrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Calton-Hill-Community-Archaeology-Project-Evaluation-report-2026-03-09.pdf> 122
Calton Hill Conservation Trust @caltonhill.bsky.social · 28/05/2026AGM TODAY 19.00 Scottish Chamber Orchestra, 4 Royal Terrace All welcome! 021
Calton Hill Conservation Trust @caltonhill.bsky.social · 25/05/2026Our ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (AGM) is on Thursday (28 May) at 19.00 at the Scottish Chamber Orchestra Salon at 4 Royal Terrace EH7 5AB. There will be presentations on the new FRIENDS of HOLYROOD PARK and the CALTON HILL ARCHAEOLOGY PROJECT before the AGM business. Please come. ALL WELCOME. 087
Calton Hill Conservation Trust @caltonhill.bsky.social · 22/05/2026The ‘GREENSIDE (Calton Hill) LOCAL NATURE RESERVE proposal has been accepted for further consideration following a deputation to @edinburghcouncil.bsky.social Culture and Communities Committee on 14 May. We wrote ... 1/ 241
Reposted by Calton Hill Conservation TrustFloopy Buzzlesworth @floopy-b.bsky.social · 21/05/2026Yes! I looked them up recently because they're all over Blackford Hill too - it's Greater Stitchwort www.nativeflower.co.uk/details.php?...nativeflower.co.ukNative Wildflowers of the UKIdentify native wildflowers of the UK by flowering month, flower colour, flower shape or petal number. A botanic guide to wildflower features and pollinators. 031
Calton Hill Conservation Trust @caltonhill.bsky.social · 21/05/2026The Trust have obtained a National Lottery Community Fund grant to complete the Calton Hill BIODIVERSITY MANAGEMENT PLAN (BMP). This work began with nature surveys kindly funded by the @inspiringscotland.bsky.social Neighbourhood Ecosystem Fund. Thanks to @tnlcommunityfund.org.uk for their support. 081