Cramond Island is a tidal island in the Forth Estuary which has a long and varied history and is really worth a visit. The area was an important port during Roman times and remains of a large fort can still be seen beside the church. The island was once a farm, a popular holiday destination and then was occupied during the first and second world wars as a strategic defence site. Many WW2 remains can still be visited including gun emplacements, armouries, lookout posts and traces of an old railway on the beach.

I crossed the causeway with Ian Rodger of the Cramond Heritage Trust to discover the history of this fascinating place. The Cramond Heritage Trust offers tours of the island via their website and also has a great museum in the Maltings on shore at Cramond itself.

To visit the island you should first checkout the safe crossing times on the South Queensferry RNLI website: https://www.queensferrylifeboat.co.uk/cramond-tides

The Cramond Heritage Trust website is here: https://cramondheritage.org.uk/

IMany people don't know that Edinburgh was once a walled city- so we set off to find traces of the old walls that still remain. In the times when the extent of the city covered the area we now call the 'old town' it was enclosed to protect its residents from attack and also to control commercial activity. Remnants of the wall remain today, some dating back to the fourteenth century, and many people walk past them unaware of these ancient relics. There are also indications of walls dating as far back as the twelfth century. Many of our road names are indicators of the location of the walls and gates - known as 'ports' - in and out of the city.

I headed out with podcast regular, Hetty Lancaster of Hetty's History Walks, to discover some bits of the wall and its history. It was one of the most interesting podcasts I have recorded. Listen in to join Hetty and me as we disappear into the closes of the Royal Mile to find original sections of the wall and learn when and why they were built. There is a lot more of the original walls remaining than you might realise!

Early in the year I met with Clare Stephen of Wild Workforce to talk about how getting out into our forests can help HR and employee wellbeing. We discussed Clare's experiences around mental health at work and about her ambition to turn her relatively new business into a CIC so she can work with a wider range of organisations. Since we met she has now succeeded and her CIC has launched. Her work on mental wellbeing and the outdoors is going from strength to strength.

We met on the shores of Loch Leven: HERE

Clare's business can be found https://www.wildworkforce.com/

Over 12 miles long, the Water of Leith snakes through Edinburgh from Balerno to the Forth Estuary. Formerly a working river and home to over 70 mills, it is now a nature reserve with a walkway along its length, which makes for a great walk.

I met with Senior Ranger, Johnny Wells, to find out how the Water of Leith Conservation Trust manages the space and all its challenges. Johnny was a terrific interviewee and entertained me thoughout my visit with tales of his past, his current role and how volunteers support the work of the Trust. Johnny is a tree hugger and has had a surprising and fascinating career.

We met at the Water of Leith visitor centre in Slateford and then walked towards Colinton.

The Water of Leith visitor centre: here

The Water of Leith Conservation Trust website: https://www.waterofleith.org.uk/

Sunshine on Leith garden is a community space which is supported by Edible Estates. Set in an old drying green behind tenements, the garden is a great example of community spirit. Residents are each allocated a small plot for their own growing and the hidden gem of a garden also offers a place of tranquility and escape for flat dwellers.

While you can't just drop by to enjoy the garden yourself, you can find out more about them on Facebook and they are also interested in partnering with like minded groups. They also have a turnover of beds, so it's worth getting in touch if you are keen to do some gardening on a smaller and less scary scale than taking on an allotment.

While this was recorded a while back now, you can still enjoy the sounds of birdsong and the joy of a garden in the sunshine.

The garden is here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/h4FjARqepk8q4o6v9

Website: https://www.edibleestates.co.uk/project/sunshine-on-leith-garden/

Facebook Group: here

Gracemount Walled Garden is in the south of Edinburgh and is run by the excellent team from Transition Edinburgh South for and by the local community.

There's so much going on there, including: events, school programmes, volunteering, free Friday lunches and tons of veg. The team is unfailingly positive and an inspiration in how to work with a community and create a space that is open to all. I went along to chat to them and find out more about the garden, its role and how people can support the great things Transition Edinburgh South is doing.

You can find the garden on Google Maps here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/T3sojwT4eeFFAn6Q8

The long email address to get in touch which we discus on the podcast, is this: contact@transitionedinburghsouth.org.uk

The TES website is here: https://www.transitionedinburghsouth.org.uk/

To find out more about the Gracemount Mansion and it's redevelopment: https://www.gracemountmansion.com/

I joined the always interesting, Angus Miller of GeoWalks for another exploration of Edinburgh's geology. We headed up to Blackford Hill and into the Hermitage to discover how our hills were formed by volcanic activity and then shaped through glaciation. Many of us walk around our local greenspace without knowing where to spot fascinating glimpses of how the city was formed millions of years ago.

We started out by Agassiz Rock, a SSSI and site of glaciation discovery; explored the Hermitage ravine which was formed by a dramatic flood of glacial meltwater; and then discovered the layers of different rock that form Blackford Hill after multiple volcanic eruptions. Check out the links below to find the spots we visited and discover more about this brilliant history for yourself.

Agassiz Rock is in Blackford Glen: HERE

You can read more about it on the Edinburgh Geological Society website: HERE

The "Scout Bridge" is where the glens merge: HERE

The Hermitage can be accessed from either Braid Road, Morningside or Blackford Glen Road, Liberton (on foot once you enter the reserve from the entrance points): HERE

Blackford Hill has great views of the city: HERE

The wall with the different rocks along its top: HERE

The site of the three layers of volcanic rock is beside the Duck Pond: HERE

And if you want to know more about Angus Miller and GeoWalks: https://geowalks.scot/

Bonaly Country Park is on the edge of the Pentland Hills and was the location for a kids’ Green Explorers day run by the impressive Green Team charity. As I go round meeting people through the Edinburgh outdoors community, the name of the Green Team comes up time and again because they work with so many organisations.

The Green Team inspires kids and young people to find enjoyment and support from the outdoors. From a fun day foraging and playing games to volunteering on conservation projects, there are activities for all ages. I met some of the team including Co Chief Executive, Penny Radway, and some exuberant and joyful 8-12 year olds to find out more about the charity. Our location was here

To find the Green Team and sign up for Green Explorers or other programmes: https://www.Green team.org.uk