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​Colinton Community Conservation Trust 



The Colinton Community Conservation Trust, Edinburgh, is a registered Scottish Charity that was founded in 2000. It is also a Limited Company by Guarantee in Scotland.
     The initial aim of the Trust was to buy the Dreghorn polo field, to secure it in perpetuity for the local community, as an amenity open space. Although this bid failed, the Trust remains alert for any feasible opportunity to acquire the polo field, once the planning process to determine whether or not this greenfield site should be developed has been completed. Not withstanding its origins, the trust was deliberately given a wide ranging objective to preserve the natural and cultural heritage in and around Colinton.
     Today, the Trust seeks to improve the local environment in partnership with other local organisations. The emphasis is upon delivering high quality conservation projects on the ground. As a charitable organisation, the Trust can draw funds from the Lottery, charitable trusts and government agencies to tackle conservation projects in and around Colinton.  If you are interested in any aspect of the ongoing work of the Trust please contact Chris Seller on 0131 441 1386.  

                 Our Current Project
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​An Interpretation of Colinton's History
The clearing of the Long Steps is the first phase of the Trust's latest project -  The Public Artwork and Interpretation of Colinton's History. Decorative timeline railings along the Woodhall Road edge of the Triangle Garden and around the Belvedere will be linked with a boyhood statue outside the Parish Church.  The plan is to mount text from R. L. S.'s Child's Garden of Verses along the walls connecting the two sites creating a "Walk with R. L. S." down the "Long Steps".​
​                   Previous Projects

Colinton Triangle
The first major project for the Trust was the construction of a new footpath, at an easy gradient, through a public garden in the heart of the village. This also included a redesign of the planting within the garden area. This was followed by floodlighting work around the tall sycamore tree in the centre of the village.

The Trust shares the maintenance of the Triangle garden with the City Council.  Volunteers organised by the Colinton Garden Club undertake the Trust's part of this work. Ideas for the interpretation phase are discussed with the Colinton Local History Society.


Phoebe Traquair Railings
The second major project for the trust was the restoration of the Phoebe Traquair Railings at the foot of Bridge Road. The railings were designed by Phoebe Traquair in 1924 with the help of Sir Frank Mears. Phoebe, a Colintonian, was one of the leading artists of the Arts and crafts Movement in Scotland and the first woman to be elected an honourable member of the Royal Scottish Academy.