Greenspace Scotland

30/07/2026

A member perspective 🌿

For Stevie MacGregor, from City of Edinburgh Council, the Park Managers forum is an invaluable space for councils to learn from one another. Naturalised grasslands, wildflower meadows and increasing pollinators are just some of the topics where sharing what works and what doesn't, helps shape better practice across the sector.

Stevie reflects on how exchanging examples with other councils is key, recognising that no one always gets it right, and that it's through open conversation that progress is made.

It's one of the many perspectives shared by members of the greenspace scotland network, where professionals come together to exchange ideas and insight from across the sector.

Interested in joining the conversation? Read more about the forum on our website - https://loom.ly/PE5MOAg

23/07/2026

When Edinburgh first started naturalising its grasslands back in 2015, not everyone was on board.

In this reel, Stevie MacGregor from City of Edinburgh Council reflects honestly on the early days of the programme and the complaints, the conversations and the community council meetings that helped bring people along on the journey.

Fast forward ten years, and attitudes have shifted completely. Stevie now gets more complaints about not doing more of this kind of work.

He explains how communication shaped the project and warns people don't like change, especially when they don't understand it. Getting the public onboard and listening to their concerns is what makes projects like this succeed.

This is one of the many inspiring projects being shared through the greenspace scotland Park Managers Forum, where professionals from across Scotland come together to exchange ideas and best practice.

Interested in joining the conversation? Read more about the forum on our website - https://loom.ly/PE5MOAg

22/07/2026

Our next video with Livingston Community Shed, a Parks4Life funded project, looks at lessons learned from completing the project.

With many greenspaces having a variety of different uses and a wide range of users, it's important to be mindful of how your work can integrate with wider site uses. Keep an eye out for our next video which will look at the next steps for this project.

16/07/2026

Meet Stevie MacGregor from City of Edinburgh Council, who shares the story behind a decade of transformation at Cramond and beyond through the Edinburgh Living Landscape programme.

In this reel, Stevie talks about how grassland that was once cut every fortnight has been transformed into wildflower meadows and more naturalised, creating vital food sources for pollinators across the city.

Ten years in, the project shows what's possible when communities and nature are considered side by side. It's about giving people what they need from their greenspaces and giving nature what it needs too.

This is one of the many inspiring projects being shared through the greenspace scotland Park Managers Forum, where professionals from across Scotland come together to exchange ideas and best practice.

Interested in joining the conversation? Read more about the forum on our website - https://loom.ly/PE5MOAg

13/07/2026

Livingston Community Shed is one of the many projects that we have funded through our Parks4Life Community Fund.

Julie Forbes, Chair of Livingston Community Shed, told us about the project that was funded through Parks4Life. Projects like these highlight the vital role that community groups play to ensure that parks and green spaces across Scotland remain well run and welcoming.

09/07/2026

Member insight 🍃

For Alexandra Hoadley, Greenspace Development Officer at City of Edinburgh Council, the Park Managers Forum has been an invaluable space for shared learning and professional connection.

"Whatever it is you’re working on in our parks, it’s actually been a really lovely space to learn, figure out how we’re doing, and explore ways we can all do it Better Together."

By bringing professionals across Scotland together, the Forum creates a space where no one has to face challenges alone, whether projects are thriving or hitting a wall.

Interested in joining the conversation? Read more about the forum on our website - https://loom.ly/PE5MOAg

09/07/2026

This is a great opportunity for schools and community groups to get free tree and hedge packs from Woodland Trust Scotland

The Woodland Trust are giving away thousands of free tree and hedge packs! Whether you're part of a local community group or school, why not green up your area to help grow a healthier future and support wildlife.

Hurry, applications close in August for delivery in November – a perfect start to the tree planting season!

Applications are welcome from schools, councils, clubs and community groups.

www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/plant-trees/schools-and-communities/

02/07/2026

The July issue of the greenspace scotland ebulletin is now available including all the usual news plus a our new Feature of the Month focusses on our recent projects and activities.

The greenspace scotland ebulletin for July is now available to read...

02/07/2026

Nature recovery doesn't happen by accident, it has to be measured, monitored and planned for.

In this reel, Alexandra Hoadley, Greenspace Development Officer at City of Edinburgh Council, explains how Biodiversity Net Gain assessments are being used to track the ecological impact of the Linking Leith's Parks designs, even though Biodiversity Net Gain assessments is not yet a statutory requirement in Scotland.

By taking this approach now, the project is building an evidence-based model for how neighbourhood nature networks can move from vision to lasting delivery.

It's an inspiring example of how local authorities can lead the way on nature recovery by measuring what matters and demonstrating impact that goes far beyond any one park.

This is one of the many inspiring projects being highlighted through the greenspace scotland Park Managers Forum, where professionals from across Scotland come together to share ideas, experiences and best practice.

Interested in joining the conversation? Read more about the forum on our website - https://loom.ly/PE5MOAg

25/06/2026

The best park designs don't happen behind closed doors, they happen in conversation with the people who use those spaces every day.

In this reel, Alexandra Hoadley, Greenspace Development Officer (Ecology) at City of Edinburgh Council, shares how community workshops shaped the final designs for the Linking Leith's Parks project. Through planting beds, wildflower meadows and lighting improvements and performance spaces that reflect how local people actually live and gather.

It's a powerful reminder that co-design isn't just good practice, it's how you create greenspaces that communities genuinely feel are theirs.

This is one of the many inspiring projects being shared through the greenspace scotland Park Managers Forum, where professionals from across Scotland come together to exchange ideas and experience from the field.

Interested in joining the conversation? Read more about the forum on our website - https://loom.ly/PE5MOAg