top of page

Sustainable Edinburgh Hub: Projects, Paths & People

Introduction

Welcome!

You have probably been brought here by the QR code on the container mural on Leith Community Croft. This page forms part of the ArtRoots project supported by Sustrans and Transport Scotland.

Below you will find green projects, growing initiatives and sustainable transport resources mainly relating to the Edinburgh region. There's information on the many wonderful 'green' projects here (including our very own urban crofts), and on eco-friendly ways to get around. Some links appear under more than one heading.

Enjoy your travels!

Green Projects

Support networks, projects and a strategy for edible growing across the city

alice market garden.jpg

Community
Growing
Initiatives

Projects restoring habitats, boosting biodiversity and linking wild spaces

19390578_1348000165296235_108186247540178571_o_edited_edited.jpg

Nature
Restoration & Greenspaces

Sustainable-living resources & event listings

Stack of guidebooks and gardening manual

a bicycle in front of a calendar marked

General
Resources

Sustainable Transport, Maps & Interactive Story Maps

Maps, apps and route planners for two-wheeled adventures

people cycling in green hilly countrysid

signposted cycle path in city.jpg

Cycling
Routes & Guides

Easy ways to plan journeys
across bus, tram and rail

Public
Transport & Route Planners

Visual tools to explore green spaces, routes and nature highlights

Maps

alice market garden.jpg

Main Menu

a hand pointing upward next to a sign saying 'Go back to main menu.jpg

Community Growing Initiatives

Support networks, projects and a strategy for edible growing across the city

Edinburgh Community Food – Community Projects

You'll find at least one food-growing project here (Growing to Love) as well as other great food-related initiatives.

Edible Edinburgh – Growing Projects

City of Edinburgh Council – Food-Growing Strategy

Our vision is for 'Edinburgh to be a city with a vibrant, thriving and sustainable local food economy, where residents, community groups and local business can access healthy, sustainable food locally, and are able to grow more food across a diverse range of sites within the city.'

The Right to Grow on the City of Edinburgh Council's Thriving Greenspaces Website

As demand for urban community growing increases, the City of Edinburgh Council is considering adopting a Right to Grow policy. Right to Grow aligns with the Council’s broader objectives of enhancing community resilience, promoting sustainability, and supporting the city’s response to the climate and nature emergencies declared by the Council.

The Right to Grow on Incredible Edible's Website

Up and down the country public land is being left unloved,
costing our local authorities money to care for, and giving nothing back to the community in return. Incredible Edible growers have shown that with a little TLC these parcels of land can be turned into oases for food and wildlife.

Lauriston Agroecology Farm

An urban farm growing food for people and nature.

Community Growing

Nature Restoration

a hand pointing upward next to a sign saying 'Go back to main menu.jpg

Nature Restoration & Greenspaces

Projects restoring habitats, boosting biodiversity and linking wild spaces

ELGT Greenspace Improvements – Nature Restoration

The Nature Restoration projects aim to enhance the city’s low-quality biodiversity through a range of greenspace improvement projects. It includes the creation of wild-flower meadows and wetland areas which will help make space for nature in an urban area to address biodiversity loss.

Edinburgh_Thriving_Greenspaces_Vision_and_Strategy_2050.png

Thriving Greenspaces – Project Overview

Info about the Strategy and Vision for Edinburgh's greenspaces and details on the diverse projects and initiatives underway, each contributing to our shared vision for a greener, healthier Edinburgh.

Edinburgh Nature Network – Edinburgh Living Landscape

You'll find a map here, consisting of the major components of the Edinburgh Nature Network. You can click on the symbols for more information...

Edinburgh Nature Network on the Thriving Greenspaces site

Edinburgh Nature Network on the Net Zero Edinburgh site

Edinburgh Living Landscape

Edinburgh Living Landscape on the Scottish Wildlife Trust site

Lauriston Agroecology Farm

An urban farm growing food for people and nature.

a hand pointing upward next to a sign saying 'Go back to main menu.jpg

General Resources

Sustainable-living resources and event listings

Earth in Common's Eventbrite Page

You'll find many of our upcoming events here, but also see our Facebook page, linked below.

Earth in Common's Facebook Page

Keep up to date with our events and workshops here.

ECCAN – Other Resources Page

You'll find information here on how to talk about climate change, how to design projects that change things for the better, how to access local authority support and much more...

The Scottish Eatwell Guide

We hope to inspire individuals to adopt a healthy, balanced diet, while also celebrating Scotland’s natural larder. By showcasing the wide range of delicious and nutritious foods available in Scotland, we aim to promote better health outcomes, promote environmental discussions and bolster the economy through the consumption of locally sourced produce.

Scottish Food Coalition's Resources

Reports, briefings, and action plans that drive systemic change for a fairer, greener food system.

Sustrax Carbon Calculators

Whether you are an individual, a small business, or a large corporation, the path to a sustainable future begins with a clear understanding of where you are today. Select the right calculator for you to get started.

Sustainable Travel International

When we travel without care or concern, we can cause irreparable damage to the environments and communities we visit. But if we harness our explorations as a force for good and embrace sustainable practices, we can combat some of the world’s most pressing issues and protect the destinations and communities that are the heart of travel.

Common Cause Foundation's Resources

In the time that Common Cause has existed, we have worked with some of the world’s leading social psychologists and conducted and collaborated on several research projects. As a result, we’ve created a growing library of useful resources, toolkits and guides for organisations and individuals wanting to know more about values and how and why to embed this knowledge in their lives and work.

Wellbeing Economy Alliance

WEAll works to shift the narrative beyond criticisms of the current system, towards one that establishes a Wellbeing Economy as a desirable and viable goal, thus inspiring action towards achieving this vision. At present, the current economy is seen as the only kind of economy that we can have. We need imagination to think outside of the current models. We need new stories about what is possible. By changing the narrative, we can make a Wellbeing Economy common sense, the way the neoliberal economy is now.

General Resources

a hand pointing upward next to a sign saying 'Go back to main menu.jpg

Cycling Routes & Guides

Maps, apps and route planners for two-wheeled adventures

Walk Wheel Cycle Trust – National Cycle Network routes in Edinburgh, the Lothians and Scottish Borders

Connecting Scotland's capital and the surrounding areas of Midlothian, West Lothian, East Lothian and Scottish Borders, National Cycle Network routes in Edinburgh, the Lothians and Scottish Borders are perfect for everyday journeys and exploring the area's beautiful landscapes and rich history.

Edinburgh Quiet Routes

View the routes on an interactive map or download print-friendly QuietRoutes maps (PDF).

Cycling Edinburgh – Edinburgh Bike Paths: A Cyclist's Guide

Edinburgh has a terrific network of cycle paths and off-road routes. But finding your way round them can be tricky. Here's a guide to getting from A to B on two wheels.

Cycling Edinburgh – Organised bike rides in and around Edinburgh

Details of all organised bike rides in or near the Scottish capital. These rides are run by local cycling clubs, groups and individuals, and are mostly free and open to all. If you like the idea of cycling in congenial company with a knowledgeable leader, you're sure to find a run here that's right for your experience and level of fitness.

Edinburgh.org Cycling City Guide

Explore seven popular city cycle trails:

Epic Road Rides - Cycling Edinburgh (and Surrounds): Your Ultimate Guide

Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland and is well known for being beautiful and steeped in history. But get on two wheels and start cycling Edinburgh and the surrounding Lothians, and you’ll quickly find another side to this fantastic city and the greener, quieter areas.

travelness - 13 Best Cycling Routes in Edinburgh for Scenic Escapes

Looking for long rides? Short rides? Beautiful scenery? More hypothetical questions? Whatever you’re on the hunt for, I’ve covered all that and more.

komoot - The Best Cycling Routes Around Edinburgh

Dangling its toes in the Firth of Forth and occupying an absolutely beautiful patch of Lothian, cycling in Edinburgh never fails to impress. Scotland’s capital is a wonderfully bike-friendly city and riding gives you the perfect opportunity to discover everything that’s magical about this ancient area. From pedaling around Arthur’s Seat and Edinburgh Castle to heading up into the majestic Pentland Hills or speeding along the shoreline, exploring on two-wheels is endless fun.

Ordnance Survey

Maps with National Cycle Network Overlay

bikemap - Cycling in Edinburgh

Find the right bike route for you through Edinburgh, where we've got 2,841 cycle routes to explore.

Spokes, the Lothian Cycle Campaign

Cycling

bottom of page