Pentland Aromatics: Meeting At The Dalkeith Country Park Market Edinburgh Outdoors podcast

22:55

Sean Magee headed outdoors and launched CPS Activities after a long career in recruitment, first aid training and social care. Having found the career of his dreams means Sean can now take put his well-honed teaching skills into practice up in the hills teaching navigational skills, outdoors awareness, rock climbing and mountain guiding. In a first for Edinburgh Outdoors we were slightly inside and started out talking in Sean's campervan in Castlelaw carpark on a Sunday morning, but once the sun came out we headed up the hill to view the Iron Age Souterain and enjoy some views. Sean has good views on career change, following your heart and gives some great tips for what to take on a hill walk, how to keep warm (always useful on this podcast!) and what to carry in your rucksack. If you want to visit the Souterain yourself, it is here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/jta8qjHaGiTP8Wdu5 And to find out more about Sean's business: https://cpsactivities.com/mountain-leader-and-climbing-instructor/ a…

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Pilrig Park with Griffen Fitness 21:34

πριν 17 μέρες21:34

21:34

Tracy Griffen is a really impressive personal trainer who uses the outdoors as a core part of her workouts. After leaving Australia thirty years ago, Tracy has built a business that brings the Scottish outdoors into people's active lives. Like many of us she relishes the changing seasons and brings a sense of nature into her courses and sessions. We walked round Pilrig Park which is to the North East of Edinburgh and has previously been a private garden of a grand house and the site of a 16th century fort, but is now a busy city park. We discovered a connection to Robert Louis Stevenson's mother who lived in the house and checked out Edinburgh's oldest allotments where Tracy has a plot and brews up tasty mint tea. We also met Coco the fitness pug - Edinburgh Outdoors' first canine interviewee. Find out about Tracy's upcoming courses and hear about how she uses unusual items around Edinburgh's parks to recreate the benefits of a gym without the monthly fee and having to be inside. To visit Pilrig Park: https://maps.app.goo.gl/pfAsqj4ub34pExfW7 To find out more about Griffen Fitness: https://www.griffenfitness.com/ And the facinating and clever Threadinburgh website has a page about the Stevenson's family, the Balfours, and their association with Pilrig House: here…

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Lost Shore Surf Resort 30:23

πριν 29 μέρες30:23

30:23

The Lost Shore Surf Resort is Edinburgh's coolest new activity centre and so much more. Set beside the International Climbing Arena in Ratho to the west of the city and close to the airport, Lost Shore is centred around Europe's largest surf pool. In addition to the pool the site includes luxury lodges, a wellness centre and events space, a restaurant, saunas and a surf shop. Even in mid January the place was buzzing! The technology within the pool creates a range of waves that are ideal for beginners to professionals and is a brilliant place to learn how to surf, or to hone your skills. I met with Andy Hadden who has spent 12 years raising finance, designing the location and finally getting to open this amazing place. Listen to the story behind the development, hear how the waves are created, how people manage to be warm enough to surf in Scotland's winter and explore the site with me as I interview Andy beside the crashing waves while watching some seriously cool surfing! Lost Shore Surf Resort: https://www.lostshore.com/ Google map location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/VMjgpZckhmhYqpdQ9…

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'Netwalking' with Katie Paterson and the Outsiders 25:27

πριν 5 weeks25:27

25:27

Katie Paterson is a truly inspiring and talented woman who has cycled round the world on an astounding journey, worked on national campaigns to get more people outside and launched the hugely successful The Outsiders outdoor networking group. Now in it's second year, the group brings together sole traders and freelancers to 'netwalk' in the outdoors once a month in a different location in Edinburgh. The group is inclusive and friendly and is growing fast, bringing a support network and providing a team or tribe for people who work alone and who want more of the outdoors in their life. I met Katie on top of Calton Hill where she had first experienced her Outsiders light bulb moment. We talked about her epic round the world cycle, the life of a sole trader and how she finds inspiraton and regeneration from being outside. If this episode doesn't make you leap off the sofa and head outside and up a hill, nothing will! To join the Outsiders group or find out more: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12952571/ To read Katie's fascinating blog about her round the world trip: https://thefreewheelers.uk To see where we were and locate Calton Hill: https://maps.app.goo.gl/9eNG4nNe6czb2hHZ6…

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Discovering Calton Hill and the Conservation Trust 23:00

πριν 6 weeks23:00

23:00

Calton Hill Conservation Trust is a relatively new team of volunteers who are preserving and enhancing the historic Calton Hill right in the middle of the city. Set above Princes Street with stunning views in all directions, Calton Hill is a popular spot for visitors to escape the streets and see what it is that makes Edinburgh such a stunning location. With views to the local hills, to Fife across the water and to the mountains in the North West, no wonder the hill attracts so many visitors. I went along to find out how the Trust was getting on and what their volunteers can expect to be involved in. I met Simon Holledge who chairs the Conservation Trust that has been working to tidy up the hill, repair drainage and also to understand better the wildlife of this unique and special place. Listeners can hear how the Trust was established, about recent wildlife surveys undertaken and some smatterings of history about the iconic structures on the hill. To find about more about the Calton Hill Conservation Trust: https://caltonhilltrust.org/ To find the location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/WSLJx34zJH5uG1dK7 And to see a 1692 image of the view from Calton Hill: https://www.roe.ac.uk/japwww/old_edinburgh/malloch_1693.jpg…

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Dunbars Close and plant explorers with Hetty's History Walks 34:11

πριν 8 weeks34:11

34:11

The first episode of Season 2: Dunbars Close on the Canongate in Edinburgh's Old Town is a reimagined seventeeth century garden and is well worth a visit. Containing eight distinct areas, the garden combines formal shapes with more informal planting and features over 190 plants which were within Scotland around that time. Many have medicinal properties and were brought to Scotland by adventurous plant explores. The garden was created by a charity called The Mushroom Trust. I explored the garden with regular contributor and local historian, Hetty Lancaster of Hetty's History Walks. She brought fascinating insight into the creation of the garden, as well as the plant explorers who brought plants back to Scotland and were instrumental in building our reputation in horticulture and the stories behind their adventures. We toured the garden and chatted about the properties of the some of the plants, as well as hearing stories of some of the characters who travelled the globe to source what were then the new and exotic - but many of which are now our commonplace garden plants. In the seventeenth century the Canongate was a suburb of the city and we also learn more about who lived here at the time and Edinburgh suburban living. To find the James Gordon 1647 map you can search the archives of the National Library of Scotland: https://maps.nls.uk/view/102190447 The John Slezer picture from Calton Hill, part of an encylopedia of Scottish images - 'The Queen Anne View' - can be found here: https://maps.nls.uk/view/74419503 The Mushroom Trust created and maintains the garden: https://mushroomtrust.com/ Books discussed include: Seeds of Blood and Beauty by Anne Lindsay: https://www.worldofbooks.com/en-gb/collections/author-books-by-ann-lindsay The Fair Botanists by Sara Sheridan: https://www.worldofbooks.com/en-gb/collections/author-books-by-sara-sheridan And finally, here is the location of Dunbar's Close: https://maps.app.goo.gl/7zbj1aBb6FKKxzrV7…

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Geology, James Hutton and Holyrood Park 25:10

πριν 13 weeks25:10

25:10

The final podcast of Season 1 discovers Edinburgh's fascinating geology and the role played in the eighteenth century by the father of modern geology: James Hutton. I met up with geologist Angus Miller of Geowalks in the James Hutton Memorial Garden and he filled me in on how Hutton's thinking was so groundbreaking and influential, even in the modern day. We looked at some significant rocks within the garden, which have been brought from all over Scotland, and then walked on Salisbury Crags in Holyrood Park, spotting huge rocks which have fallen from the Crags and checking out the Hutton Section: the point where much of Hutton's thinking was inspired. As always, there is also some chat about the outdoors and how it has inspired and supported Angus through his life. If you would like to know more about Angus Miller and joining one of his Geowalks you can check out his website: https://geowalks.scot/ Find out more about James Hutton here: https://james-hutton.org/ And visit the locations yourself: Hutton Memorial Garden: https://maps.app.goo.gl/f5hkMwb9c4nSiWYq5 Hutton Section in Holyrood Park (currently behind a fence, but you can get pretty close and hopefully the fence is going to be removed soon ...): https://maps.app.goo.gl/f5hkMwb9c4nSiWYq5…

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Forest bathing with Anna Neubert Wood 25:49

πριν 15 weeks25:49

25:49

Anna Neubert Wood runs her own business, Wander Women. She created it to take women initially - but now everyone including individuals and groups - into the wilds to find peace, tranquility and childlike fun. After a childhood in East Germany and flexi-schooling her children, Anna has created experiences that bring escape in the outdoors in and around Edinburgh. Her offering includes wild swimming, picnicking, firelighting and forest bathing, amongst others - all to help us find mindfulness in outdoor spaces. She also runs weekend retreats, which look exhilarating, and works with organisations like Womens Aid and her own Karma Women, to help those who need her help most. We spent an afternoon in the peaceful woods of Craigmillar Castle Park and we talked, drank tea and swung in a hammock. Listen in to hear how Anna's childhood experiences informed her career change and how much she enjoys swimming in the outdoors. https://wander-women.co.uk/ You can find our location here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Svwnwfe5BBfJBEXh9…

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Exploring new paths with Charlie Ellis 21:57

πριν 16 weeks21:57

21:57

Charlie Ellis is a writer and walker with a keen interest in Edinburgh's former railways that are now footpaths and cycle routes. He enjoys heading off to explore old paths and to find new, or potential, ones. When we met up he took me off to find some existing and potential paths, including the Powderhall Line which was only closed in 2016 and is the subject of a campaign to have it joined into the North Edinburgh path network. After viewing some paths we talked writing, memories and discovering new places. Charlie writes for a number of Edinburgh based publications and you can read some of his articles here: https://www.leithermagazine.com/leither152/the-path https://bellacaledonia.org.uk/2023/11/21/the-world-reveals-itself-to-those-who-travel-on-foot/ https://www.leithermagazine.com/leither153/circles https://www.broughtonspurtle.org.uk/news/powderhalls-path-potential You can find Saughton Park here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/aHtjQe2vruFSSXNG8 And St Mark's Park and the Powderhall Line here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/sCkBdgrL5kncNHpVA…

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Beekeeping: West Linton and District Beekeepers Association 22:26

πριν 18 weeks22:26

22:26

Learning all about bees: on a driech day in Edinburgh I went to visit the West Linton & District Beekeepers group in an equally driech Carlops, in the Pentland Hills. There weren't many bees buzzing around on the day I dropped by to the apiary as it was a bit cold, but I still spent a brilliant hour with a great group of enthusiasts. We talked all things bees, cold summers, swarms and the benefits of an absorbing hobby in the outdoors. They were a fascinating group of bee experts and enterprising member, Jane, managed to get my microphone right inside a hive to hear what it sounds like inside! You can find out more about the group online:https://westlintonbka.wixsite.com/website - and on Instagram. Google maps location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/T9FPTpoHBKc7KUsQ6…

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Antonine Wall: finding the Romans 29:15

πριν 18 weeks29:15

29:15

Having occupied Britain for hundreds of years, the Romans had a huge impact on our culture, landscape and history. I met the team from the now complete Rediscovering the Antonine Wall project to find out how they had worked with the line of the Antonine Wall - the Central Belt's own Roman wall (or what remains of it) to connect communities. We talked about Roman history, some fascinating finds along the wall and we also visited some of their projects around Auchinstarry and Croy, including the stunning giant head: Sylvanus. Next steps for the Antonine Wall team are to create walks along and around the wall in each of the council areas the route crosses. They are also futher developing route guides to walk the 60km length of the wall from Old Kilpatrick on the Clyde to Bo'ness in the East. Volunteering opportunities with Cycling Without Age Scotland can be found here: https://cyclingwithoutage.scot/volunteer-with-us/ More about the wall can be found here: https://rediscoveringtheantoninewall.org/ And if you want to find out more, I recommend The Antonine Wall by David J Breeze: https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-antonine-wall/david-breeze/9781912476930 And I do apologise on the podcast that it was not recorded in Edinburgh, but if you want to search out local Roman remains try these places: Inveresk, Cramond Fort, National Museum of Scotland, Callendar House in Falkirk and Rough Castle also in Falkirk. There's plenty to discover! Google Maps location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/fysX6cLz7yiY15vh8…

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Hetty's History Walks: Holyrood Park 28:22

πριν 19 weeks28:22

28:22

Hetty's History Walks is run by historian, Hetty Lancaster. She runs tours across the city introducing both visitors and locals to fascinating facts about Edinburgh and its past. We met on a sunny autumn day in Holyrood Park - the King's park which surrounds the Palace of Holyroodhouse and is a wild and beautiful spot right in the middle of the city. Hetty is going to join me regularly over the next few months, introducing us to different areas of Edinburgh and their history. To kick things off we talked about her background and business, while also learning more about Holyrood Park and how the landscape has changed over the centuries. Listen out for heron spotting and some tourists wheeling their suitcase up Salisbury Crags - we round a great location for our recording and I hope you enjoy finding out more about the Park and its history too. Hetty's History Walks can be found on Instagram, Facebook and online: https://www.hettyshistorywalks.co.uk/…

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Volunteering and rejuvenation at Jock Tamson’s Gairden 32:54

πριν 19 weeks32:54

32:54

Jock Tamson's Gairden on the shores of Duddingston Loch is the most extraordinary place. Home to community groups and charities, it uses the power of nature and gardening to help many people enjoy the outdoors and find healing and support in this beautiful space. I visited on a classic Edinburgh windy day and met the inspirational head gardener, Lizz Spence, who talked about the team's entry in the Kilt Walk later this month which will raise much needed funds for the brilliant work being done in the garden. We talked while Lizz collected flowers for the weekly produce sale and we had tea in the outdoor kitchen space. There's plenty to discover here and visitors are welcome to just come in and wander round. Find out more by listening in and then checking out their website and social media.…

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Pentland Aromatics: meeting at the Dalkeith Country Park Market 18:01

πριν 21 weeks18:01

18:01

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Litter picking at the beach with Keep Porty Tidy 16:49

πριν 25 weeks16:49