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Calton Hill Conservation Trust

@caltonhill.bsky.social
544 followers 390 following 448 posts

Working to make Calton Hill a cleaner, safer & more beautiful place through conservation, volunteering & community action | Join us as a member or volunteer: caltonhilltrust.org

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Calton Hill Conservation Trust @caltonhill.bsky.social · 21h
What 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.
Aerial photo of Calton Hill
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Calton Hill Conservation Trust @caltonhill.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
A 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
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Calton Hill Conservation Trust @caltonhill.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Vandalised 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.
Bin damaged by fire on Calton HillVandalised portaloo on Calton Hill
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Calton Hill Conservation Trust @caltonhill.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Gorse 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.
Sign explaining Calton Hill vegetation management, with long grass and trees on the slope below Arthur’s Seat in the background.Recently cut gorse and scrub on Calton Hill, with Nelson Monument visible on the skyline.Piled cut gorse and broom on Calton Hill beside a Council vegetation management sign.
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Calton Hill Conservation Trust @caltonhill.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Visitors 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.
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Calton Hill Conservation Trust @caltonhill.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Good 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.
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Calton Hill Conservation Trust @caltonhill.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Edinburgh 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.
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Calton Hill Conservation Trust @caltonhill.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
The 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.org
Collective Gala, Saturday 5 September - Calton Hill Conservation Trust
The Collective Gallery will be holding their annual Gala on Saturday 5 September 2026 – a free day of art, music, makers, and tours
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Calton Hill Conservation Trust @caltonhill.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
The 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.
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Calton Hill Conservation Trust @caltonhill.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Simon 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.
Simon Holledge spraying the re-turfed area in front of the National Monument, Calton Hill, Edinburgh, 8 August 2026
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Calton Hill Conservation Trust @caltonhill.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
Thank 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
Tom Duffin teaches photography on Calton Hill, Edinburgh, 22 August 2026
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Calton Hill Conservation Trust @caltonhill.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
We 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
View from Calton Hill looking towards Edinburgh Castle, photograph by Tom Duffin
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Calton Hill Conservation Trust @caltonhill.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
The 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.
Damaged stonework on Calton Hill, Edinburgh as of 8 August 2026
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Calton Hill Conservation Trust @caltonhill.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
NATIONAL 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!
Graffiti on the National Monument, Calton Hill, 29 July 2026
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Calton Hill Conservation Trust @caltonhill.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
Security 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).
Calton Hill Drive access barrier, Edinburgh, padlocks removed on 18 May 2025 and some time in August 2026
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Calton Hill Conservation Trust @caltonhill.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
CALTON 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.uk
BBC Two - A House Through Time, Series 6: Edinburgh, Episode 1
In 1799, a church minister aids the escape of French prisoners from Edinburgh Castle.
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Calton Hill Conservation Trust @caltonhill.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Astronomical 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.org
Partial Solar Eclipse Viewing on Calton Hill - Astronomical Society of Edinburgh
Join 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.
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spurtle.bsky.social @spurtle.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
ISSUE 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
Front page of Issue 364.
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spurtle.bsky.social @spurtle.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
CALTON 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
Contractors stand on a hill beneath a large modern sculpture. View of Leith Dock and wind-turbine jackets in the background.
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Calton Hill Conservation Trust @caltonhill.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
We 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/
Observatory House on Calton Hill, Edinburgh. Photograph by Tom Duffin
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New Town & Broughton Community Council @ntbcc.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
Really 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.
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Calton Hill Conservation Trust @caltonhill.bsky.social · 26/07/2026
An 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.com
Concern over wildfire impact on 'very rare' butterfly habitat near Arthur's Seat
The wildfire near Arthur’s Seat was sparked Sunday, July 19 and spread quickly to the western side of the cliff
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Calton Hill Conservation Trust @caltonhill.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
UPDATE: 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.
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Ella @ellatasm.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
From the Parliament
Fire smoke and hosing on hill
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Ella @ellatasm.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
And on the south side of Salisbury Crags. Edinburgh
Fire on the south side of Salisbury Crags, with hoses and fire service
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EdinburghMinute.com @edinburghminute.com · 20/07/2026
Better news: the fire has died down this morning. Fire crews have been on site all night:
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Angus Miller @geowalks.scot · 19/07/2026
Excellent 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.
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Calton Hill Conservation Trust @caltonhill.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
GRAFFITI 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.
Graffiti on the National Monument, Edinburgh, around 15-18 July 2026
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Calton Hill Conservation Trust @caltonhill.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
We 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.
Vegetation on the National Monument, Calton Hill, Edinburgh, 11 July 2026
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Calton Hill Conservation Trust @caltonhill.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
The 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.
Purple milk-vetch (Astragalus danicus) East Fife coast, June 2021, photograph by Ben Averis
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Calton Hill Conservation Trust @caltonhill.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
Trust 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/
Tourists help Calton Hill Conservation Trust members move water to test absorption into the hard ground in front of the Nationla Monument, 12 July 2026
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Calton Hill Conservation Trust @caltonhill.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
Want 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.
Synchronized litter picking on Calton Hill, 1 July 2023.
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Donald Anderson @da-anderson.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
The Stonechats were delightfully cooperative at the wonderful Little France Park last night. #bird #birds
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Ariaa® @ariaa.bsky.social · 05/07/2026
Supposedly the most intelligent of all species...humans.
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Calton Hill Conservation Trust @caltonhill.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
Today’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.
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Calton Hill Conservation Trust @caltonhill.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
TREES 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...
Detail from the Ordnance Survey map of Edinburgh 1877, published 1881, showing the National Monument on Calton Hill.
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Angus Miller @geowalks.scot · 24/06/2026
A pleasure. Good company, fine views on a lovely sunny morning.
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nickkempe.bsky.social @nickkempe.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
New post Parkswatchscotland: Invasive Sitka and the Cairngorms National Park parkswatchscotland.co.uk/?p=33233
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Calton Hill Conservation Trust @caltonhill.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
Thanks 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
Angus Miller, the well-known geologist, giving a talk entitled ‘The view from Calton Hill: James Hutton’s Edinburgh’, on the Calton Hill Conservation Trust's Hutton Tercentenary Walk, 20 June 2026
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Scottish Geology Trust @scottishgeology.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
Last (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.
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Ash Whiffin @ashwhiffin.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
Schnoz 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!
Cheeky selfie with a Drinker moth perched on my noseA side view of the Drinker moth on the top of my finger
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Simon Holledge @holledge.bsky.social · 21/06/2026
Drawings 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/
Playfair Monument designed by William Henry Playfair, erected in 1825, in honour of his uncle John Playfair, scientist, mathematician and co-founder of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.
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Simon Holledge @holledge.bsky.social · 21/06/2026
VAGUELY 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/
‘Tomb of Theron’ (Tomba di Terone), 3rd to 1st century BC, Agrigento, Sicily, 3 June 2026
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Calton Hill Conservation Trust @caltonhill.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
Thanks 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/
Volunteers from Royal London company on Calton Hill, 16 June 2026
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Calton Hill Conservation Trust @caltonhill.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
The 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>
Calton Hill Community Archaeology Project Evaluation Report, 9 March 2026
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Calton Hill Conservation Trust @caltonhill.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
AGM TODAY 19.00 Scottish Chamber Orchestra, 4 Royal Terrace All welcome!
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Calton Hill Conservation Trust @caltonhill.bsky.social · 25/05/2026
Our 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.
4 Royal Terrace, Edinburgh EH7 5AB, home of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra.
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Calton Hill Conservation Trust @caltonhill.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
The ‘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/
Proposed Greenside (Calton Hill) Local Nature Reserve, 14 May 2026
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Floopy Buzzlesworth @floopy-b.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
Yes! 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.uk
Native Wildflowers of the UK
Identify native wildflowers of the UK by flowering month, flower colour, flower shape or petal number. A botanic guide to wildflower features and pollinators.
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Calton Hill Conservation Trust @caltonhill.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
The 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.
Varied vegetation on the Greenside slope, the west side of Calton Hill, 2023
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