Last (week) but certainly not least! The final week of the Scottish Geology Festival is packed with events. We cover it all, from literature, music, fashion and more. Attend a concert or a rock museum, learn about caves, or see how geology inspires creativity in our creative workshops.

A pleasure. Good company, fine views on a lovely sunny morning.

#PoliticsNotForSale I've told my MP to support caps on political donations & campaign spend. Tell yours too. Politics should work for everyone, not just those who can afford it. Send a postcard today at politicsnotforsale.mp.electoralreform.justpost.cards

Today’s volunteering (30 June 2026) is CANCELLED — due to the prospect of HEAVY RAIN. We have rescheduled to Tuesday 14 July, 11.00 to 15.00.

TREES on top of CALTON HILL — We’ve been looking at historic maps + tree IDs to understand what was planted in the 19th century, and what's survived into the 20th/21st centuries. Trees are important — not just for biodiversity but also for historical authenticity. caltonhilltrust.org/tree-plantin...

Ten years ago, Scotland overwhelmingly voted to remain in the EU but was taken out against our will. Our best future lies in becoming an independent member state of the EU, and working with our neighbours to build a stronger, more prosperous country. 🇪🇺🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Thanks to ANGUS MILLER, the well-known geologist, for showing us ‘The view from Calton Hill: James Hutton’s Edinburgh’, on our HUTTON TERCENTENARY WALK on 20 June, celebrating the ‘father of geology’ (dates 3 June 1726 – 26 March 1797), and of course all who came to our event. @geowalks.scot

A genuinely caring human being.

Schnoz to schnoz 👃🏻 Adult Drinker moths (Euthrix potatoria) are always a joy to see, with their chunky fluffy bodies, those rich warm tones of orange and brown, big black eyes and their adorable little snoots. I couldn’t resist going nose to nose with this one recently. Happy #InsectWeek!

Lesser-known-fact: the summer #solstice is a moment in time that delivers the longest day/shortest night in the North. At 9:24am (BST) the North Pole will be at its most-tilted towards the Sun. Me & the druids will be on #BBCR4 Broadcasting House later on to celebrate 🤗🔭🧪 📷: National Maritime Museum

VAGUELY FAMILIAR? Earlier this month we saw the ‘Tomb of Theron’ (Tomba di Terone) in #Agrigento, Sicily. Not really the tomb of Theron, (Tyrant of Acragas, 488 to 472BC), probably 3rd to 1st century BC. 1/

TURISTA TERRORISTA graffiti seen in Palermo, Italy, 7 June 2026.

AGM TODAY 19.00 Scottish Chamber Orchestra, 4 Royal Terrace All welcome!

The Trust have now published a report — by Headland Archaeology — on the Calton Hill COMMUNITY ARCHAEOLOGY PROJECT & photogrammetry survey in January/February 2026. <https://caltonhilltrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Calton-Hill-Community-Archaeology-Project-Evaluation-report-2026-03-09.pdf>

Closeup of DRAIN NUMBER NINE on Calton Hill, Edinburgh showing the unusual structure of the feature, hitherto unknown and of uncertain date, set inside a wide stone enclosure. 3.

Our NINTH DRAIN was discovered by ROYAL LONDON volunteers on Tuesday (17 June). This was not on any of our maps. Every drain we locate is a another step forward in understanding of how the hill's historic infrastructure works!

Thanks to our VOLUNTEERS from ROYAL LONDON for clearing the stone rainwater runoff channels in front of the Nelson Monument and City Observatory, and also down Calton Hill Drive, on 16 June 2026. Great job — and we maintained our 100% record of no rain on volunteer days. 1/

“We live in a world where geopolitics and technology are inseparable. It is time for Europe to be in control of its data, of its supply chains and of its future in a clean and sustainable way.” H Virkkunen, European Commission’s executive vice-president. www.nature.com/articles/d41...

Petition: Apply to Rejoin the EU as soon as possible to increase growth in the UK. Please sign. petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...

The Rejoin petition has just hit 💥90,000💥 signatures!

Our ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (AGM) is on Thursday (28 May) at 19.00 at the Scottish Chamber Orchestra Salon at 4 Royal Terrace EH7 5AB. There will be presentations on the new FRIENDS of HOLYROOD PARK and the CALTON HILL ARCHAEOLOGY PROJECT before the AGM business. Please come. ALL WELCOME.

The ‘GREENSIDE (Calton Hill) LOCAL NATURE RESERVE proposal has been accepted for further consideration following a deputation to @edinburghcouncil.bsky.social Culture and Communities Committee on 14 May. We wrote ... 1/

The Trust have obtained a National Lottery Community Fund grant to complete the Calton Hill BIODIVERSITY MANAGEMENT PLAN (BMP). This work began with nature surveys kindly funded by the @inspiringscotland.bsky.social Neighbourhood Ecosystem Fund. Thanks to @tnlcommunityfund.org.uk for their support.

OVERTOURISM: "In 2028, BARCELONA’s 10,000 legal tourist apartments will have their licences revoked, and it is hoped by the city council that the majority of these properties find their way back on to the rental market and alleviate the city’s housing crisis." www.theguardian.com/world/2026/m...

Now using iNATURALIST for checking species identification. Impressive. It quickly identified a fast moving buff-tailed bumblebee (Bombus terrestris). www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_HO...

The Calton Hill Conservation Trust ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (AGM) will be on Thursday, 28 May 2025, starting at 19.00. This will be held at the Scottish Chamber Orchestra offices, 4 Royal Terrace, Edinburgh EH7 5AB.

Giant map reveals thousands of cities worldwide with successful green policies www.nature.com/articles/d41...

In election leaflets received by some households in Scotland, Reform UK have claimed Scotland is housing 10% of the UK’s asylum seekers. That isn’t correct according to the latest figures, which show it’s actually more like 6%.

With a couple days to go to the election count, we’re urging people with postal votes to return them now. Remember - one x on each paper - it’s your date of birth that you put beside your signature on envelope A. More information about voting www.edinburgh.gov.uk/scottishparliamentelection

Israel’s takeover of the land bordering the River Jordan continues - land many Israelis consider theirs by biblical right. bit.ly/4tTKY0F Full article free if you’re quick. And of course similar encroachment is happening across Gaza - the land bordering the sea

'WAITING FOR PICARDY!': I'm minded to write a play for performance in the Fringe. 3 council officers sit in wheelie bins confronting an unresolvable existential crisis. They have a budget of £1.8 billion but can't find £39.95 to buy a tree in B&Q. @spurtle.bsky.social

I walked through Picardy Place today. It looks really terrible - there's clearly no plants maintenance at all. As well as the dead trees, all the beds are choked with weeds. It looks abandoned and is an embarrassing mess.

Disappointing to see in response to @finlaymcf.bsky.social's question at full Council today that the dead tree(s) on Picardy Place will not be replaced until Autumn / Winter 2025- 26.

What's happening at Picardy Place? @edinburghminute.bsky.social

PICARDY PLACE 1 year on. What do we have? 4 DEAD TREES! Were they planted in October 2023? They weren't replaced in autumn/winter 2025 as promised by @edinburghcouncil.bsky.social to @finlaymcf.bsky.social on 20 March 2025 (see below). Still there May 2026. @spurtle.bsky.social @ntbcc.bsky.social

Thanks to our VOLUNTEERS from JOHNSTON CARMICHAEL for clearing the whole of Regent Gardens Path stone rainwater runoff channels and the nettles! — from the north entrance up to the Regent Gardens steps — today (30 April 26). A tough task with a great result. [Johnston Carmichael visit Day Two]

Thanks to our VOLUNTEERS from JOHNSTON CARMICHAEL for clearing the Greenside Path stone rainwater runoff channels down to the north entrance (I May 26). Another job finished to a high standard. [Johnston Carmichael visit Day Three]

Here is a map of the area covered by the three Johnston Carmichael groups on 29, 30 April and 1 May 2026. The channels on Hume Walk, Greenside Path and Regent Gardens Path were all cleared. Our biggest and most intense volunteer project ever! Thank you.

CALTON HILL: Video of the JOHNSTON CARMICHAEL clearance of the Regent Gardens Path rainwater runoff channels (+ nettles) illustrates the high tempo work rate of the volunteers (30 April 2026). Thanks again!

'I can't see what Scotland gains now from continuing to be part of this mess' George Monbiot speaks to The National Podcast about Scottish independence

The barriers are down around the November 2025 RE-TURFING in front of the NATIONAL MONUMENT, Calton Hill. The grass is lush, thick, and green. Tomorrow is the sold-out BELTANE FESTIVAL which will test the robustness of the grass.

I've just emailed "Write to your MP: Demand a public inquiry into foreign interference" - Will you support the campaign too? actionstorm.org/petitions/wr... @OpenBritainHQ

'NANCY' MACLEHOSE Walk on 26 April — one of our best events. Many thanks to our Clarinda & Sylvander — Selina & Arthur — and all who came along. The photos shows us by Nancy's grave in Canongate Kirkyard listening to 'Ae fond kiss, and then we sever; Ae fareweel, and then forever'.

Something shocking and out of the ordinary is happening in the UK. While in most comparable countries, healthy life expectancy is rising, here it is plunging steeply. Q. So what marks us out? A. 47 years of extreme neoliberalism, culminating in austerity. www.health.org.uk/reports-and-...

Trump says King will be 'very safe' during US visit after security talks

@edinburghcouncil.bsky.social : BIG LITTER SPILL on the corner of EDINA Street and EASTER Road, 17.30, 26 April 2026. Please alert Cleansing Department. Thanks.

Thanks to all who came on our 14th LITTER PICKUP yesterday (Saturday 25 April). We found some big objects, and uncovered some long half-buried ones. Increasingly the rubbish we collect each time is archaeological. We are making progress! One day the hill will be clean!

We have a Clarinda! We have a Sylvander! And we have a route starting on Sunday at 14.00 at 14 Calton Hill, then going to the Burns Monument, ending at Nancy Maclehose's grave in Canongate Kirkyard. Please join the celebration!

EUROPEAN alternatives to BIG TECH: A privacy guide — Mojeek, Qwant, Ecosia, LibreWolf, Vivaldi, Waterfox, Mastodon, Lemmy, Friendica, Proton Mail, Tuta, Mailbox, Threema, Olvid, Session, Proton Drive, pCloud, WeTransfer, Proton Meet, Whereby etc etc proton.me/learn/europe...