We are delighted to be taking part in Agroforestry Open Weekend 2024

Our farm

Lauriston farm is a 100 acre peri urban agroecological farm in north west Edinburgh. Across the site we have 3 main pillars of focus – food production, biodiversity and community. We work to bring together these three elements in our integrated land management plan and farm activities

We, Edinburgh Agroecology Co-operative (EAC) took on management of the site from November 2021. Before that the fields were just grassland used for grazing sheep and silage production (although there was grain production and cattle grazing on the land mid 20th century).

Our aim is to transform the land into a nature and food rich space for the benefit of the local community and wider city.

Since beginning work on the land we have planted approx 12,000 trees, set up a market garden, community allotments and a community orchard, created wildflower strips, developed the existing wetland area and pond network and begun creating the alley crop agroforestry system.

Our agroforestry

We are in the early stages of our agroforestry planting, we have created three alleys so far. The four tree strips have been planted up this year – with hazel, willow, filberts, apples, plums, cherries, pears and walnut

Each strip is approx 120m long with one 24m and 2 x 18m alleys in between. We have sown two alleys – one with Rouge D’Ecosse wheat and the other with a Hebridean landrace of oats, rye and Bere barley in the other.

We will be creating a further 5 alleys at the end of this year.

Come and see what we have planted so far, see the designs for the future alleys and hear about the future further agroforestry plans at the farm

how to find us

Lauriston Farm, Lauriston Farm Road, Edinburgh, EH4 5EX – main farm gate entrance in the corner of the Toby Carvery car park.

agroforestry open weekend 2024

Over the Agroforestry Open Weekend 2024 we will be open on Sat 18th May, from 10-3.30 pm

Agroforestry walk and talk – at 10.30am and 1.30pm – meet at the green portacabin as you come in the farm gate entrance

There will be additional tours of the rest of the farm/market garden area at 11.30am and 2.30pm

Our community orchard volunteers will be around to chat about fruit trees

Farm staff and volunteers will be at the green portacabin from 10am and throughout the day to welcome you, chat and signpost you to walks and other points of interest across the farm

feel free to just turn up! No need to book

facilities/refreshments

There will be hot and cold drinks for visitors

parking/access

Parking is available, though we encourage those that can to come by bike, on foot or by public transport.

Lothian Buses 16, 27 and 37 all go within a 5 minute walk of the farm entrance

dogs

Dogs are welcome if they are kept on lead

disability access

The alleys are in the middle of the farm and the ground is uneven and can be muddy/slippy when wet.

We are working on putting in paths for all across the farm but unfortunately these will not be in place in time for the weekend

more information?

Contact info@lauristonfarm.org with any questions

Website: https://www.lauristonfarm.scot/

Instagram: eaclauristonfarm

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EdinburghAgCoop

As well as the agroforestry and general farm walk/talks you are welcome to take a look around the other areas of the farm and enjoy our stunning views across the Firth of Forth.