The Friends of Craiglockhart Woods

and Nature Trail

Craiglockhart Woods is part of a wild and beautiful spot within

the City of Edinburgh, less than three miles from Princes Street.

There is an abundance of Flora (and Fauna) in the area, with hills,

a very large pond, a stream, and of course - lots of trees. 

In October 1997, the City of Edinburgh Council (CEC) proposed the

Sale of 1.21 acres of land at Craiglockhart Terrace for a housing development. 

 The Community responded by setting up the Save Craiglockhart woods Campaignand in March 1998 the Council agreed to reverse their decision provided the Group could raise the money to demolish a derelict building on the site and to resurface the broken concrete remains of a former curling rink. The money was raised and the work carried out within a few weeks.  working in partnership with the City of Edinburgh Council to preserve and improve the woodland area of the Craiglockhart Hills Urban Wildlife Site for the enjoyment of members of the public with special provision for people with disabilities”

Easter Craiglockhart Hill Local Nature Reserve

presented with Green Flag Award

At a ceremony held in Bournemouth on 23rd July 2009, the Easter Craiglockhart Hill Local Nature reserve was presented with a Green Flag Award.

The Green flag Award Scheme provides national quality standards for parks and green spaces. It is like the Blue Flag accreditation scheme for beaches.

The Green Flag Award Scheme was launched in England and Wales in 1996, and was introduced to Scotland in 2008.

The Green Flag Award recognises well managed and high quality green spaces.  It is a means of recognising and rewarding the best green spaces in the country and it is also a means of encouraging others to achieve the same high environmental standards, creating a benchmark for excellence in recreational green areas.

To be eligible for the award the site must be freely accessible to the public and perform well against set criteria such as being a welcoming place, clean and well maintained, reflecting interest in conservation and heritage and community involvement.

There were only 10 winners this year from Scotland so Easter Craiglockhart Hill has done well to be awarded one of the 10 Green Flags in Scotland. The Green Flag is valid for one year so we shall have to work hard as a community to ensure that we retain our green flag next year.

Once a flag pole has been organised and installed, probably near the pond so it is very visible, a formal ceremony will be arranged to raise the flag. This will be widely publicised in the community when the date is arranged.