🚲 edi.bike | issue 124 | 22nd Dec '25 TRO Sub pass ‘South area’ travelling safely schemes, make much ado about Rose St; Integrity of vote on Greenbank to Meadows questioned; plus events, infrastructure, route closures & more: https://buttondown.com/edi.bike/archive/edibike-issue-124-22nd-dec-25/

Our last day walk of 2025, Sunday 28 Dec, Edinburgh. Meeting 10.45, walking Balerno to Roseburn along the Water of Leith, 12km on good paths. Options to stop at Slateford (8km) or carry on to Stockbridge (15km). All welcome, including non-members. More info & sign up here: forms.gle/2vBvKyiG8gZa...

As well as our monthly weekend trips & day walks we also meet up for ad hoc walks, depending on who is free. Always great to take advantage of good weather days! ☀️

Wonderful #solstice eve walk in the Pentland hills with @redropescot.bsky.social pals. Glorious sunshine, and great to be up high following the ridge from Carlops to Flotterstone, with views on both sides. If only winter days in Scotland were always like this!

FOURTH White-tailed Eagle disappears - RSPB offers reward for information leading to a conviction for this one or any of the other three. New blog ⬇️⬇️ #RaptorResearch #WildlifeCrime raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/12/19/f...

This - from @clamc.bsky.social lists concrete steps to take to advocate for the lives of those on hunger strike and perilously near death. Remember none have been found guilty and they are innocent until a verdict is passed. 👇🏼 I’m adding weblinks for contact below The actions are uncontroversial

The Scottish Government's tree planting targets have been a disaster, with Scottish Forestry forking out grants and approving schemes with little regard for the consequences but at Stobo Hope they have sunk to new lows parkswatchscotland.co.uk/2025/12/17/s...

🚨 Job Alert! 🚨 Cycling UK is on the lookout for a Senior Project Officer to cover maternity leave and help lead the amazing Cycle Access Fund project across Scotland! 👉 Check out the full job details and apply here: shorturl.at/8AAH4 Tag someone who’d be great for this! 🚲💙

We celebrate the wonderful life & legacy of John Mayhew, former LINK Chair (2006-2009) & a true friend. Generous, supportive, and great fun, he enriched the lives of all who worked alongside him. He will be deeply missed. Read some of our memories of him: www.scotlink.org/john-mayhew-...

? Live in or visit #NorthEdinburgh in #Pennywell area? 🙋 Pls do this 🚲👩‍🦼🚶survey--> app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/sustrans/n... Related--> bsky.app/profile/spok... @edi.bike @brianmilne80.bsky.social @nialla.bsky.social @helenrambler.bsky.social @edfoc.bsky.social @thebikestation.bsky.social

We took a ride along Rose St to/from Tisos, during the busy festive shopping period 🧵 First up, we rode legally westward # of 🚘 interactions: 3 # of 🚶‍♀️interactions: 0 total time: 1m38 Note, rat-running SUV, & 2x bona fida parcel delivery

Of course it’s always great to get out with pals for a walk, especially at this time of year. But slightly disappointing when you’re expecting ☀️☀️ yet spend the day in thick clag! Fife’s Lomond hills were stuck under fog today, unfortunately. 🥾 @ramblersscotland.bsky.social

Despite the dire weather forecast we all had a fantastic trip to Glen Doll. The wind and rain weren't as bad as expected on Saturday and the hut was warm & cosy. Great company and good food too! Thanks to Carn Dearg MC for such a great hut! Our next weekend trip is 16-18 Jan to Crianlarich.

We were saddened to hear of the recent death of John Mayhew. As director of @aprscotland.bsky.social, John was hugely encouraging to Planning Democracy as we were being set up. His advice and support was invaluable - and ongoing. Our sympathies to his family. www.scotlink.org/john-mayhew-...

In-depth @scotsman.com feature on how walkers are being deterred from enjoying 4 Munros at North Chesthill Estate, #GlenLyon. ⬇️ As @markruskell.bsky.social says: “For years now this estate has flouted its responsibilities to deliver public access rights...The current situation is not acceptable."

Today's announcement from NESO on grid prioritisation backs up our research launched last week on the over provision of battery storage in the planning system. The data they shared with the announcement show just how much battery storage is clogging up the system (see table below). thread ... 🧵

📈 #ClimateCrisis Experts say "emergency-level action at wartime scale" needed 🙋 Sign petition to Media bosses --> www.nebriefing.org @nebriefing.bsky.social @edi.bike @profaliceroberts.bsky.social @tessakhan.bsky.social @thecockburn.bsky.social @threadinburgh.scot @2050climategroup.bsky.social

A particularly good report by @zoejardiniere.bsky.social here on genuine ways in which to fix what is, objectively, a broken system. Hint, making life harder for migrants isn't the way to do it.

Plonking a plantation into what could be regenerating Caledonian Pinewood should not be allowed in Scotland let alone funded by scottish Forestry parkswatchscotland.co.uk/2025/12/04/t...

Today in the Edinburgh Botanics - snowdrops! I admit I’m usually keen to see the back of winter, but this is at least a month too early. Scary stuff. #climatechange @thebotanics.bsky.social

Happy days from 2018, the Corbett Ben Tirran on a stunning bluebird day then struggling up the Munro Broad Cairn in driving snow - great fun!

I know highland cattle look attractive & are generally quite placid. But I regularly see people getting really close for photos in the Pentlands. I always give these cattle a wide berth - am I too feartie? Perhaps a few cautionary signs might help alert them to risks? @ramblersscotland.bsky.social

If you prefer the long-form, intellectual approach , we're also doing a webinar this evening.

We had a good walk last Saturday around North Berwick and up Berwick Law. We aim to have a day walk each month. Next walk is Sunday 28 Dec, come and join us to start to burn off some of those mince pies!

This is a heads-up about fake AI accounts which have proliferated across social media. The screenshot is from a genuine thread asking for advice on a mountain route; there are plenty of useful, real human replies. The attempted reply (we stopped it) looks very real - but it is from an AI bot.

How is a local place plan for Balloch possible with Flamingo Land still looming? Scotland's planning system betrays local communities at every step but real planning democracy is possible parkswatchscotland.co.uk/2025/11/28/p...

Two things stand out about this picture: 1. a political leader embracing rather than demonising asylum seekers; 2. the beautiful clothes the Afghan girls are wearing, and which they are free to show in public.

#BudgetUK 👍 Two significant structural changes 1. Road-user charging principle accepted, #PerMile for EVs (FVs pay #FuelDuty) 2. Fuel duty inflation-link to restart after previous govt's freeze [EV charge also inflation-linked] 🤔 We'd have also liked.. 1. #SUV charging 2. Tax/vat on #AviationFuel

This is a great listen! As a daily reader of The National I’m very grateful it exists. It shines a light on many issues and perspectives missed by other mainstream media. And I love that the staff is so young and committed. All power to you, Laura! @lauraewebster.bsky.social

🌲 If buying a #ChristmasTree get it delivered by #CyclingGardeners 🚲 #CargoBike --> www.tollcrosstreeworks.com @edi.bike @edfoc.bsky.social @thecockburn.bsky.social @tollcross-cc-edin.bsky.social @finlaymcf.bsky.social @cllrcmiller.bsky.social @cllrbenparker.bsky.social @bjpaddy.bsky.social

A blast of the Arctic in the #Cairngorms on our trip to Milehouse at Kincraig last weekend. Good to practise using a group shelter before we went - fortunately didn't need it! A fantastic day for everyone who went up Sgor Gaoithe or Mullach Clach a'Bhlair, but pretty challenging too! ❄️❄️

#A701 'relief road' petition --> pentlandhouse.com/cbxpetition/... Spokes view--> www.spokes.org.uk/wp-content/u... @edi.bike @edfoc.bsky.social @sw20.info @shona-mcintosh.bsky.social @helenrambler.bsky.social @midlothiancan.bsky.social @thebonnieloon.bsky.social @mrjasonrose.bsky.social

New report on gamebird releases in Cairngorms National Park doesn't tell even half the story. Study included less than half (45%) of estates rearing & releasing non-native gamebirds. MSPs need to interpret results cautiously & appropriately. raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/11/21/n...

Blue skies but a very cold wind in the Pentlands today. Enjoyed the snow! A taste of winter in mid-autumn. ❄️☀️🥾

ANGUS MILLER @geowalks.scot, the well-known geologist, is giving a programme about Calton Hill’s geology on Tuesday 25 November 18.00. entitled: 'WHERE'S THE VOLCANO? THE MAKING OF CALTON HILL'. Online/Zoom. Free public event. All welcome. Contact <[email protected]> for info/ invitation. 1/

Excellent event at @natlibscot.bsky.social to mark 50 years since the founding of SCRAM. I wasn’t there in 1975, but husband was involved in demos vs Torness nuclear power station, along with many others there today. Much was achieved, but nuclear - power and weapons - still on UK political agenda ☹️

JOB OPPORTUNITY: CALEDONIAN PINEWOODS PARTNERSHIP PROJECT MANAGER 🌲 Lead a partnership to restore Scotland’s iconic Caledonian pinewoods Salary: Starting from £37,362 Hours: 35 hrs/pw, permanent Deadline: 16 November Apply now 👉 treesforlife.org.uk/about-us/wor... 📷Gus Routledge

We're off on the train to North Berwick for our next day walk, Saturday 29 November. Why not join us? Non-members are welcome. A walk up Berwick Law, a circuit of Balgone Lake, with optional tea & scones at the end. More info and sign up details here: forms.gle/bREVyRGQraKY...

This evening, we’ll be sharing a very special collection of portraits at an event in the Scottish Parliament. These beautiful photographs, taken by Angela Catlin, capture the strength, courage and resilience of people rebuilding their lives in Scotland. 1/2

🚲 edi.bike | issue 119 | 17th Nov '25 North-South Tram Extension Consultation Midnight Today, 17th Nov; Voi Bikes in Cycle Racks Update; November Transport & Environment Committee Round-up; plus events, infrastructure, route closures & more: buttondown.com/edi.bike/arc... #bikeSky #edinburgh

A thread on what Mahmood's policies could have meant after WW2. And for anybody who protests the comparison isn't valid, this is precisely what is being proposed for Ukrainian refugees, no matter how long they've been here, even if it is years until there is peace.

#Tram consultation - Spokes submission --> www.spokes.org.uk/wp-content/u... 🙋 You have till midnight Monday for your own response! HERE--> consultationhub.edinburgh.gov.uk/sfc/tram-nor... @edi.bike @edinreporter.bsky.social @edinburghminute.bsky.social @thecockburn.bsky.social @edfoc.bsky.social

What a contrast! Wild winter adventures above Glen Feshie in the #Cairngorms today, and then down to a lovely, peaceful and sunny Caledonian pinewood below.

☝️ #TramlineCrashes - see above ? Had a tramline crash ? Want to minimise your risk See HERE--> www.spokes.org.uk/documents/pu... @edi.bike @edfoc.bsky.social @edcriticalmass.bsky.social @finlaymcf.bsky.social @cllrcmiller.bsky.social @leftwing66.bsky.social @helenrambler.bsky.social @sw20.info

Absolutely, Helen! From 2015 to 2022, IPA funded 450 local projects worth £12.2 million, delivering approximately: 155 miles of path upgrades 80 bridges 1,000 signs 500 gates 500 seats Pound-for-pound, that's *remarkably* impactful and popular investment!

Scotland’s long-awaited overhaul of farming subsidy has faieds to replace “invaluable” lost funding for paths and public access, warns @ramblersscotland.bsky.social www.walkhighlands.co.uk/news/post-br...

Come on ScotGov, this is unforgivable - and stupid! Funding for paths, etc, has always been part of the agricultural funding farmers could bid for, since 2005. It’s a tiny proportion of the overall farming budget. If land managers can’t get £££, why should they pay for this public good themselves? 😡

Heading home after an interesting day at the Scottish Environment LINK annual congress. Always a good discussion - but so many (familiar) barriers to progress & delivery on nature & climate issues. Great to catch up with ‘old’ colleagues, and thanks to staff! @scotlink.bsky.social

A detailed examination of how weak the new Land Reform Bill is likely to be in practice. The only thing I'd add is that if Scotland had implemented @thecommonweal.bsky.social's Property Tax, this is estate could owe a little under £159,000 per year for its land. www.commonweal.scot/policies/tax...

🙄 #PrincesStreet plans unfit for modern #European capital Spokes deputn to 12.11.25 Planning Cttee --> www.spokes.org.uk/wp-content/u... @edi.bike @thecockburn.bsky.social @stephenjenkinson.bsky.social @davidfkey.bsky.social @chasbooth.bsky.social @cllrbenparker.bsky.social @mthmttcoe.bsky.social