Meadow Management - Scything

An activity with Biodiversity Action Team

Activity date: Thursday 4th September 2025

Start time: 10:00
Finish time: 12:00

Activity description

Join us for a hands-on scything session to help manage and enhance the wildflower-rich grasslands of Campbell Park! This is a fantastic opportunity to learn traditional meadow management techniques while supporting local biodiversity. 🌱 Why It Matters: Campbell Park is a valuable green space nestled in the Water of Leith valley, offering scenic views and a haven for wildlife. By scything selected grassland areas, we’re helping to: Encourage a broader diversity of native wildflowers 🌸 Support pollinators like bees and butterflies 🐝🦋 Create habitat for birds, small mammals, and invertebrates 🐞🕊️ This work is part of a wider effort to restore and connect nature across the city through the Edinburgh Nature Network—a strategic initiative to link up habitats and improve ecological resilience across urban and peri-urban landscapes. 🔪 Why Scything? Scything is a centuries-old land management technique that has been used across Europe since at least the Middle Ages. Before the invention of mechanised mowers, scythes were the primary tool for harvesting hay and managing pastures. Today, this heritage skill is being revived for conservation work due to its many benefits: Gentle on Wildlife: Scything allows for slower, more selective cutting, reducing harm to insects, amphibians, and small mammals. Promotes Wildflower Diversity: By cutting and removing nutrient-rich grass, scything helps lower soil fertility, creating better conditions for wildflowers to thrive. Quiet and Sustainable: Scything is silent, fuel-free, and ideal for sensitive habitats and community spaces. Skill-Building: Volunteers will learn a traditional skill that connects us to historic land stewardship practices and modern ecological restoration.

Meeting place

Campbell Park; ///liability.monkey.fight Woodhall Rd, Edinburgh EH13 0HS

what3words meeting point: ///liability.monkey.fight

Activity location

Campbell Park, Campbell Park, Woodhall Road, EH13 0HS

Site description

The park is a peaceful island next to the city by-pass. It has impressive views of the Pentland Hills to the south. In the valley below, the Water of Leith makes its way down to the forth. The site now has a community orchard-food forest with a permaculture focus and a wildflower area that needs managing as it has relatively low species richness.

Contact

Josef William Williams

Telephone: 07483050773
Email: josef.williams@tcv.org.uk
Website: https://www.tcv.org.uk/scotland/

Please bring

• packed lunch
• suitable outdoor clothes
• suitable outdoor footwear

Further info

To register as a volunteer please email josef.williams@tcv.org.uk If you have any questions of queries about the days activities and suitability please don't hesitate to reach out, where practicable we aim to make all of our activities accessible to all.

Site Facilities

• Nearest Toilets - Pavilion (On site)

Back to search results