Latest news in the Forth area

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New lease of life for summerhouse

A historic summerhouse in Edinburgh is to open to the public for the first time. The building is located within Redhall Walled Garden, created in the 18th century and bordered by Colinton Dell and the Water of Leith. The building would have been used by the original owners of the Redhall estate as a place to rest in the shade while taking a cup of tea. In recent times it had reached a critical state of disrepair, but thanks to funding from SAMH (Scottish Association for Mental Health  ) and Scottish Natural Heritage the building has been restored for use as a public information centre to cater to the 3,000 members of the public who visit the garden each year.

Redhall Walled Garden is now run as an SAMH service providing support and training to people recovering from mental health problems.

As part of the grant, the summerhouse will house information panels, describing month by month what to do in the garden and what to look out for in Colinton Dell, as well as information on upcoming events and the garden's current use by SAMH as a horticultural therapy service.

Green exercise

Scottish Natural Heritage is pleased to have helped fund an exciting pilot project to establish community gardens. Run by Edinburgh Cyrenians  , the scheme will help to improve people's long term physical and mental well-being through healthier eating, contact with nature and social inclusion.

The Royal Edinburgh Community Gardens   project makes use of around fifteen acres of NHS land in south Edinburgh. Already the 3 acre garden in Morningside has been a great success. See this leaflet   for more information.

Blue Motion

We have recently funded a project which aims to get people more active and healthy by enjoying the Union Canal, Water of Leith  and Colinton Dell in Edinburgh.

Since launching, the Blue Motion project    has used the canal as a focus to engage and link individuals, schools, organisations and communities along its length in Edinburgh.

To sustain interest beyond the project is the Canal Adoption element of the programme. The Waterways Trust Scotland    and British Waterways Scotland    have committed to support canal adoptions in Edinburgh and each adoption will last at least one year.

The schools, community groups, corporate volunteers and others are being encouraged to participate in various canal-related activities throughout the adoption period and beyond. Individual adopting groups (schools, corporate, community groups) will be introduced to each other and will work with each other on various activities.

Get the latest news on activities in Forth

Visit: Paths for All    www.activcity.info  , Outdoor Diary