Roger Crofts talks about Nature in the Esk Valleys, Past, Present and Future

This talk, now available as a video recording, was presented on 8th October 2026. It covers the origins of the Esk valleys, their current state and future challenges.

Roger is a Trustee of the Esk Valley Trust and widely known for his deep expertise in the natural environment. He was the founding Chief Executive of Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH, now NatureScot), and a former Chair of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society amongst many other roles.

In his talk, he covers the ancient natural history of the Esk valley, charting how it has evolved and examines current activities and their effects on the natural state of the Esk valley. Turning to the future, he examines climate change, the biodiversity crisis, pollution and flood risk, and uses his knowledge of geography and nature to discuss the challenges and the opportunities to make sure that “natural common sense in the future use and management of the valley prevails”.

The talk was presented on 8th October 2026

To watch the video recording of Roger’s talk click here.

The Battle of Pinkie 1547

The Last Battle Between the Independent Kingdoms of Scotland and England.

David Caldwell gave a talk to the Esk Valley Trust on 4 |September 2025 about:

The Battle of Pinkie, 1547

This battle was of considerable importance in shaping the future development of Britain. It has been much studied by military historians but should also be better known and understood more widely, especially those living in the area where the battle and campaigning took place. It is remarkably well documented in early sources, including illustrations made by participants.

David is now retired from his career in the National Musuem of Scotland, latterly as Keeper of Archeology and Keeper of Scotland and Europe. Most of his research interests focussed on Medieval and Post-Medieval Scotland. Since retiring he has taken on various roles including the chairmanship of OnFife, the presidency of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland and serving as a board member of the National Trust for Scotland.

In 2023 he co-authored, with Vicky Oleksy and Bess Rhodes, a detailed study of the battle (The Battle of Pinkie, 1547. The Last Battle Between the Independent Kingdoms of Scotland and England; Oxford: Oxbow, 2023).

To watch the recording of David’s talk click here.

George Forrest – A Scottish Plant Collector in China

Watch this video about George Forrest (1873-1932) who was born in Falkirk, educated in Kilmarnock, lived in the Esk Valley as an adult – but made his name as an adventuring plant collector in China.

In 1904, through his connections to the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Forrest was given the opportunity to travel to the province of Yunnan in southwest China to collect plants and seeds on behalf of nurseries and estate owners, becoming one of the most successful and prolific collectors to do so. It is likely that most of our gardens will contain plants that have had something to do with George Forrest. The process of collecting plants in China was always interesting but never straightforward, and amongst his archives held in the Library of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh are thousands of letters and photographs that help to tell his perilous and fascinating story.

George Forrest’s story is told by Leonie Paterson who has been the Botanic Garden’s Archivist for over 20 years. She says that her favourite part of the job is working with the Forrest archive and telling his incredible story. – and this rings out as she takes us through the adventurous life of Forrest as a plant collector in remote parts of China in the early part of the twentieth century.

To watch the video click here

The work of the Rosslyn Chapel Trust

Ian Gardner’s talk from May 16 2025 covers the conservation of the Chapel and recent restoration project at Rosslyn Castle.

Ian has been Director of the Rosslyn Chapel Trust since 2012. In addition to his role at Rosslyn Chapel Ian is the current Chair of Midlothian Tourism Forum.

To see the recording of this talk simply click here.

The recording started just a short while after the talk started – so there is a short part of the talk missing, but you will see that the recording is well worth watching.

Learn about the history of papermaking in Penicuik.

Penicuik was the most important location in the UK for papermaking.

To watch Hugh Munro’s talk about ‘Papermaking, the history and the role of Penicuik (1709-2004)’ simply click here

After a career in the pharmaceutical industry Hugh is now a volunteer at the Penicuik Papermaking Heritage Museum and a committee member and past chair of the Penicuik and District u3a.

His talk covers the history of papermaking and how it came from China to Penicuik. Along the way you will hear how papermaking progressed from hand-made paper to industrial scale and the people who made it happen with a focus on the six mills in Penicuik and Alexander Cowan, the philanthropist – along with the impact of the industry on river pollution, fire hazards and the development of local railways.

The talk emphasises the local and worldwide importance of Penicuik in papermaking.

Jonathon Louis talks about ‘Opportunities for natural flood management in the Esk River catchments

Jonathon’s talk was presented via Zoom on 21 November 2024

Jonathan is a Co-Director of the Forth Rivers Trust and has worked
with the Trust to improve rivers around the Forth for 11 years. His
background is in Sustainable Environmental Management and Countryside
Management. As Co-Director, Jonathan helps lead the Trust’s work
whilst supporting project development, funding and stakeholder
relationships.

His talk explores the opportunities for nature-based solutions
within the Esk catchment, how this could aid biodiversity and make the
catchment and communities more resilient to climate change. He
highlights examples of work carried out elsewhere that could be
delivered within the Esk catchment whilst outlining opportunities to
work in partnership for a more resilient and biodiverse Esk catchment.

The talk can be seen here.

James Simpson talks about Mavisbank House and the Villas of the Esk

A video recording of James Simpson’s talk to the Esk Valley Trust on 3 October 2024 is now available to see.

James is a very well-known architect who has helped with restoration projects at many of the ‘Villas of the Esk’.

He is a leading advocate for the architectural heritage of the Esk valleys. His talk uses the concept of the ‘Villa’ (as envisaged by Sir John Clerk in ‘The Country Seat’) to reflect on Mavisbank House and other major Villas in the Esk Valleys.

The talk was the opening event of the 2024 Midlothian Outdoor Festival.

To see the talk just click here.