Lothians Conservation Volunteers
COVID-19 outbreak Phase 3: On 2020-07-09 the Scottish Government released an updated roadmap for the exit from lockdown and phase 3 of the exit plan began on 10th July 2020. Groups of up to 5 households may now meet outdoors and travel outside the local area is permitted. Therefore LCV can run a relatively normal task programme and our our first task is confirmed as 12th July at Blackford Hill.
Please look at the task list page to review the tasks available, and the changes to how we run the task programme. In particular numbers on task may need to be restricted or volunteers divided into multiple groups to comply with the guidelines for social distancing.
No material changes were made to advice affecting LCV in the announcement on 30th July 2020. The next review date will be on or around 20th August and we expect to make further changes to our activties as a result of that announcement.
Please note that initially we will not use our minibus to transport volunteers to tasks. Therefore volunteers will need to meet us on site on the day of the tasks. Instructions will be provided to those who book on the task and on this website (whenever possible).
On 2020-07-09 the First Minister announced that Scotland would enter Phase 3 of the exit from lockdown on 10th July. In this phase travel beyond the local area is permitted and up to 5 households may meet together outdoors. We therefore expect to be able to run a largely normal task program in the near future.
Our first task will be on 12th July and the task programme will be updated on a monthly basis. Please check back frequently to see what tasks are running, and the restrictions currently in force.
Further announcements are expected from the Scottish Government on or around 20th August and it seems likely that LCV will make changes to our activities as a consequence. Please keep checking back, as the advice from the government often changes quickly.
The major changes you will notice on task are:
You are strongly encouraged to bring the following items if you can
Please book with our Transport Secretary before the task. First you will need to read how to book, then read about what to bring and finally where to meet us on the day.
If you would like more information about whether a task is suitable for you then please check our information about volunteering with us or if you prefer contact us by email.
Hover (or double tap on touchscreen devices) the mouse pointer over the coloured square next to the task you are interested in for information about the spaces remaining.
| Date | Site | Task and availablity | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun | Sun 7 - Sat 13 | Taynish | Residential: Scrub and bracken control | |
| Sat 20 | Yellowcraig Beach | Piri piri burr control | ||
| Sun 21 | Holyrood Park | Himalayan balsam control | ||
| Sun 28 | Traprain Law | Ragwort control | ||
| Jul | Sun 5 | Granton Castle Walled Garden | Willowherb control (task changed) | |
| Sun 12 | Blackford Glen | Ground preparation works for picnic benches | ||
| Sun 19 | Blackford Glen | Burn clearance and step maintenance | ||
| Sun 26 | Bawsinch and Murder Acre | Reedbed management and path work | ||
| Aug | Sun 2 | Traprain Law | Ragwort control | |
| Sun 9 | Granton Castle Walled Garden | Fence construction and scrub clearance (task changed) |
Fence construction and scrub clearance (task changed)
2020-08-09
There are plenty of spaces remaining on this task. Please click to view booking information
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| Sun 16 | Private house | Destruction of a leylandii hedge to permit replacement with native species |
Destruction of a leylandii hedge to permit replacement with native species
2020-08-16
There are plenty of spaces remaining on this task. Please click to view booking information
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| Sun 23 | Bawsinch and Murder Acre | reedbed management and pathwork. |
reedbed management and pathwork.
2020-08-23
There are plenty of spaces remaining on this task. Please click to view booking information
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| The Space column shows if there are any spaces on that task. | |
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Plenty of spaces left |
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A few spaces left |
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Task full. You can still book and put
yourself on the reserve list - spaces often become available at short
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Task cancelled. This will only be done in extreme circumstances. |
| Space information last updated: Thursday 6 August |
If you would like to print out our task list, here is our current newsletter, The Puggled Mucker (302K) which contains a task programme.
The map below shows the sites in the work programme this quarter
There is also an interactive map of all our work-sites.
The ancient deciduous woodland at Taynish is one of the largest in Britain and thoroughly worth the long trip from Edinburgh. Oak trees have flourished here for 6000 years or more — a little longer than people have lived here. Once a source of timber and charcoal, these woods now form one of Britain's largest remaining native oakwoods. The importance of the site was recongnised in 1977 by designation as a National Nature Reserve and it is now managed by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH). Taynish lies on a scenic peninsula overlooking Loch Sween, which was scoured out by glaciers 11000 years ago and has an atmosphere all of its own.
The peninsula has a wide range of habitats, including shoreline, grassland, scrub, bog, heath and woodland, each home to a host of plants, insects, birds and mammals that thrive in the clean, humid air. In all, between the woodland's dripping ferns and mosses and the marsh and grassland, over 300 plant species and more than 20 kinds of butterfly are supported. To help the woods keep their near-natural character and rich wildlife, SNH is also removing rhododendron, which crowds out other plants.
Our summer residential this year will be at Taynish and Mhoine Mhor, removing bracken and clearing scrub from the peat bog to aid regeneration. Accomodation at the Kilmartin Bothy.
Find out how to book onto this task.
Yellowcraig is situated 23 miles east of Edinburgh just north of the attractive East Lothian village of Dirleton and is a Site of Special Scientific Interest. It comprises a variety of habitats, including mature and developing woodland, sand dunes, coastal grassland and rocky outcrops, as well as its long sweeping sandy beach with views to Fidra island.
On this visit to the beautiful dunes at Yellowcraig we will be removing invasive piri-piri burr seeds to preserve the duneland habitat.
Find out how to book onto this task.
Holyrood Park is the Koh-i-Noor in the crown jewels of Edinburgh's stunning landscape. Comprising 650 acres of mixed grassland and encompassing Arthur's Seat, the iconic Salisbury Crags as well as some of the oldest exposed rocks in Edinburgh this is a vital island for wildlife in the heart of our majestic capital.
On this visit we will be removing highly invasive Himalyan Balsam from areas within the park
Find out how to book onto this task.
At 221m Traprain Law is a distinctive, dome shaped hill, which overlooks the East Lothian town of Haddington just to the east of Edinburgh. First occupied about 3500 years ago it has a long history of human activity - there is evidence that the site was used for burial as well as for manufacturing bronze tools. In the early twentieth century archaeologists working on the site uncovered a cache of Roman silverware. It is believed that the mythical King Loth of the Goddodin, from whom the Lothians take their name, ruled from the hill in the first half of the fourth century.
On this visit we'll be removing toxic ragwort plants. This helps to protect the health of the herd of Exmoor ponies that are used for conservation grazing on the hill.
Find out how to book onto this task.
This site is a category B-listed medieval walled garden that once belonged to Granton's lost castle. Whilst the castle may be gone its two acre walled garden has survived through many centuries of change thanks to its fertility and the unique microclimate created by its high stone walls.
On this visit we will be removing rosebay willowherb to facilitate other plantings.
Find out how to book onto this task.
Blackford Hill rises to 164m and lies about two miles south of Edinburgh city centre. It has many features of geological interest, including "Agassiz rock", the first recognisable evidence of glacial action to be found in Scotland. Along with Blackford Glen and the Hermitage of Braid, this is a popular spot within Edinburgh for runners, dog walkers, climbers and cyclists alike.
On this visit to this popular local nature reserve we will be working with the Friends of the Hermitage of Braid and preparing the ground for installation of picnic benches. This includes digging and removing turf and installing a sub-base of wood chips.
Please note due to COVID-19:
This is our first task under the new COVID-19 restrictions. We are still learning how to operate in this new world and things might not go entirely smoothly at first! We request understanding in the event of any failures, and feedback on how we can do better. Thankyou.
Find out how to book onto this task.
Blackford Hill rises to 164m and lies about two miles south of Edinburgh city centre. It has many features of geological interest, including "Agassiz rock", the first recognisable evidence of glacial action to be found in Scotland. Along with Blackford Glen and the Hermitage of Braid, this is a popular spot within Edinburgh for runners, dog walkers, climbers and cyclists alike.
On this visit we will be working with the Friends of the Hermitage of Braid to clear fallen trees and other debris from the burn, as well as scraping back and re-dressing steps to the Midmar Paddock area of Blackford Hill.
Please note due to COVID-19 the minibus will not be used for volunteer transport. Therefore volunteers should meet at the Braid Road entrance to the Hermitage of Braid at 1000.
Find out how to book onto this task.
Bawsinch and Duddingston Loch are found in the heart of Edinburgh on the southern edge of Holyrood Park, just below Arthur's Seat and only three kilometres from the city centre. Formerly a derelict industrial site, Bawsinch is a triangular area next to the south shore of the loch. This 26 hectare reserve, partly owned and managed by the Scottish Wildlife Trust, is a bird sanctuary and has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The area boasts breeding and wintering wildfowl, marshland with reedbeds and willow, patches of scrub and woodland, some freshwater ponds and an area of grassland named Goose Green. In the past LCV has felled trees, cleared ponds, built log bridges and cleared invasive vegetation. In recent years an additional area of land known as Murder Acre has been leased from Historic Scotland to extend the reserve.
On this visit we will be clearing tree scrub from the reedbeds and maintaining paths within this local nature reserve.
Please note due to COVID-19 the minibus will not be used for volunteer transport. Therefore volunteers should meet at the gateway to the Bawsinch Reserve on Duddingston Road West at 1000. There will be a maximum of 10 volunteers permitted on this task. Please do not attend unless you have booked.
Find out how to book onto this task.
At 221m Traprain Law is a distinctive, dome shaped hill, which overlooks the East Lothian town of Haddington just to the east of Edinburgh. First occupied about 3500 years ago it has a long history of human activity - there is evidence that the site was used for burial as well as for manufacturing bronze tools. In the early twentieth century archaeologists working on the site uncovered a cache of Roman silverware. It is believed that the mythical King Loth of the Goddodin, from whom the Lothians take their name, ruled from the hill in the first half of the fourth century.
On this visit we'll be removing toxic ragwort plants. This helps to protect the health of the herd of Exmoor ponies that are used for conservation grazing on the hill.
Find out how to book onto this task.
This site is a category B-listed medieval walled garden that once belonged to Granton's lost castle. Whilst the castle may be gone its two acre walled garden has survived through many centuries of change thanks to its fertility and the unique microclimate created by its high stone walls.
A welcome return to Granton Castle walled garden. Previous tasks have been thwarted by weather and then lockdown. On this visit we will be erecting a rabbit-proof fence to protect plantings at the garden from Flopsie, Mopsie, Cottontail and all their friends. In addition we'll be clearing scrub to enable new plantings.
Please note due to COVID-19:
Find out how to book onto this task.
This task will be held at a private house in the Edinburgh area. Consequently we have not placed the site on our map. Those who book onto the task will be advised of the location.
Martin and Sharon Brownjohn have been stalwart volunteers with LCV for a number of years. On this task we'll be helping them remove a Leylandii hedge from their garden to facilitate planting of a hedge of native species in the autumn. Leylandii is a biodiversity desert and replacement with native hedges will benefit many species, as well as being attractive.
Please note due to COVID-19:
Find out how to book onto this task.
Bawsinch and Duddingston Loch are found in the heart of Edinburgh on the southern edge of Holyrood Park, just below Arthur's Seat and only three kilometres from the city centre. Formerly a derelict industrial site, Bawsinch is a triangular area next to the south shore of the loch. This 26 hectare reserve, partly owned and managed by the Scottish Wildlife Trust, is a bird sanctuary and has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The area boasts breeding and wintering wildfowl, marshland with reedbeds and willow, patches of scrub and woodland, some freshwater ponds and an area of grassland named Goose Green. In the past LCV has felled trees, cleared ponds, built log bridges and cleared invasive vegetation. In recent years an additional area of land known as Murder Acre has been leased from Historic Scotland to extend the reserve.
On this visit we will be clearing tree scrub from the reedbeds and maintaining paths within this local nature reserve.
Please note due to COVID-19: