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Explore!
Explore! Our articles cover anything and everything to do with West Lothian, West Edinburgh and Falkirk.
A selection of what goes into print is published here.
Browse the archives below or use the archive menu to sort by category, or use the search bar to find a specific reference.
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![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1a0618_8b9f44c84690435cba7687cfc7437a98~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/1a0618_8b9f44c84690435cba7687cfc7437a98~mv2.webp)
![Merry Christmas](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1a0618_8b9f44c84690435cba7687cfc7437a98~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/1a0618_8b9f44c84690435cba7687cfc7437a98~mv2.webp)
Editor
Dec 21, 20211 min read
Merry Christmas
When it’s cold, squirrels will tuck themselves away in their drey high up in the canopies and will use their fluffy tails as insulation
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1a0618_dc9fc04a1de349d49d399b3e2df3c0f1~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/1a0618_dc9fc04a1de349d49d399b3e2df3c0f1~mv2.webp)
![A prayer of godwits](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1a0618_dc9fc04a1de349d49d399b3e2df3c0f1~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/1a0618_dc9fc04a1de349d49d399b3e2df3c0f1~mv2.webp)
Editor
Nov 19, 20211 min read
A prayer of godwits
It can be really tricky to identify these birds, they don’t have the nickname “little brown jobs” or “LBJ’s” for no reason!
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1a0618_e74dfaeb1ed44de2bb57029261ec9ede~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/1a0618_e74dfaeb1ed44de2bb57029261ec9ede~mv2.webp)
![Engineering a miniature world: Almondell Model Engineering Centre](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1a0618_e74dfaeb1ed44de2bb57029261ec9ede~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/1a0618_e74dfaeb1ed44de2bb57029261ec9ede~mv2.webp)
Editor
Apr 5, 20213 min read
Engineering a miniature world: Almondell Model Engineering Centre
Almondell Engineering Centre is a beautiful natural environmental setting, and ecology goes hand in hand with the engineering here.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1a0618_b9e04714097b4c86a249d1f87cfdc659~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/1a0618_b9e04714097b4c86a249d1f87cfdc659~mv2.webp)
![“Loved ones are near when robins appear"](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1a0618_b9e04714097b4c86a249d1f87cfdc659~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/1a0618_b9e04714097b4c86a249d1f87cfdc659~mv2.webp)
Editor
Feb 9, 20211 min read
“Loved ones are near when robins appear"
Whilst we weren’t lucky enough to have a white Christmas, we were certainly treated to a few days of the white stuff, which created a...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1a0618_77c5ece9b1984fbfb84150dfe82ba9ad~mv2_d_3840_5120_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/1a0618_77c5ece9b1984fbfb84150dfe82ba9ad~mv2_d_3840_5120_s_4_2.webp)
![Howden Weir: The UK's Largest Rock Ramp](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1a0618_77c5ece9b1984fbfb84150dfe82ba9ad~mv2_d_3840_5120_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/1a0618_77c5ece9b1984fbfb84150dfe82ba9ad~mv2_d_3840_5120_s_4_2.webp)
Editor
Dec 16, 20194 min read
Howden Weir: The UK's Largest Rock Ramp
It looks like a natural rock fall in the river, but is actually a sophisticated piece of engineering work. In the River Almond at Howden...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1a0618_b965aba54a6b4c02a717febc5e6830e2~mv2_d_3240_4320_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/1a0618_b965aba54a6b4c02a717febc5e6830e2~mv2_d_3240_4320_s_4_2.webp)
![Pesticide-Free Balerno](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1a0618_b965aba54a6b4c02a717febc5e6830e2~mv2_d_3240_4320_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/1a0618_b965aba54a6b4c02a717febc5e6830e2~mv2_d_3240_4320_s_4_2.webp)
Editor
Oct 31, 20192 min read
Pesticide-Free Balerno
Last summer, the residents of Cherry Tree, Balerno, successfully petitioned Edinburgh City Council to stop using pesticides to treat...
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![My favourite zero waste changes](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1a0618_74337005cf734acead799a116536bbbf~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/1a0618_74337005cf734acead799a116536bbbf~mv2.webp)
Editor
Oct 10, 20191 min read
My favourite zero waste changes
Emms Choice is a West Lothian business that stocks products with a strong ethical focus. We embrace zero waste and all things...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1a0618_fe71651978564d57869da9c23a3f81ea~mv2_d_1881_1934_s_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/1a0618_fe71651978564d57869da9c23a3f81ea~mv2_d_1881_1934_s_2.webp)
![What’s your favourite garden tool?](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1a0618_fe71651978564d57869da9c23a3f81ea~mv2_d_1881_1934_s_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/1a0618_fe71651978564d57869da9c23a3f81ea~mv2_d_1881_1934_s_2.webp)
Editor
Oct 10, 20192 min read
What’s your favourite garden tool?
The Garden Project column from New Hopetoun Gardens: sustainability special We both might have said our spade was our favourite garden...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1a0618_65b79645fe1e4e25b90c1418365295f5~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/1a0618_65b79645fe1e4e25b90c1418365295f5~mv2.webp)
![The Pursuit of Convenience](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1a0618_65b79645fe1e4e25b90c1418365295f5~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/1a0618_65b79645fe1e4e25b90c1418365295f5~mv2.webp)
Editor
Oct 10, 20192 min read
The Pursuit of Convenience
The October 2019 issue: sustainability special edition. We’re all in constant pursuit of convenience, so anything that makes life easier...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1a0618_d50298fd1bf746be9fa8fd6651d143bf~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/1a0618_d50298fd1bf746be9fa8fd6651d143bf~mv2.webp)
![Ocean waste recycled : roller blinds](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1a0618_d50298fd1bf746be9fa8fd6651d143bf~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/1a0618_d50298fd1bf746be9fa8fd6651d143bf~mv2.webp)
Editor
Oct 10, 20192 min read
Ocean waste recycled : roller blinds
We can’t get away from the plastics problem; the debate about how to deal with our environmentally devastating plastic habit permeates...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1a0618_289ede8c78c44f6ca4720345c31ec4b7~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/1a0618_289ede8c78c44f6ca4720345c31ec4b7~mv2.webp)
![Menstrual cups are the way forward, period.](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1a0618_289ede8c78c44f6ca4720345c31ec4b7~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/1a0618_289ede8c78c44f6ca4720345c31ec4b7~mv2.webp)
Editor
Oct 10, 20193 min read
Menstrual cups are the way forward, period.
Guys, gals and non-binary pals, please welcome to the stage the rising star of the period world: the menstrual cup, fast becoming known...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1a0618_7fc34558015946e59e987ebe1aff3876~mv2_d_2016_1512_s_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/1a0618_7fc34558015946e59e987ebe1aff3876~mv2_d_2016_1512_s_2.webp)
![Going green and keeping kids keen!](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1a0618_7fc34558015946e59e987ebe1aff3876~mv2_d_2016_1512_s_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/1a0618_7fc34558015946e59e987ebe1aff3876~mv2_d_2016_1512_s_2.webp)
Editor
Oct 10, 20192 min read
Going green and keeping kids keen!
Sustainability isn’t just for adults. Kids need to learn to think about the consequences of their choices and behaviours too, just as...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1a0618_ac73bc34c21049d9a563728a91168ab6~mv2_d_5020_3347_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/1a0618_ac73bc34c21049d9a563728a91168ab6~mv2_d_5020_3347_s_4_2.webp)
![Plant for bees!](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1a0618_ac73bc34c21049d9a563728a91168ab6~mv2_d_5020_3347_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/1a0618_ac73bc34c21049d9a563728a91168ab6~mv2_d_5020_3347_s_4_2.webp)
Editor
Oct 10, 20194 min read
Plant for bees!
The strap line of the Balerno Village Trust (BVT) is “towards a sustainable community” and, with various members of the community at its...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1a0618_dfa84f8f5ace428d95dc0fde7002e113~mv2_d_6016_4000_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/1a0618_dfa84f8f5ace428d95dc0fde7002e113~mv2_d_6016_4000_s_4_2.webp)
![Local Lab: Building a sustainable future](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1a0618_dfa84f8f5ace428d95dc0fde7002e113~mv2_d_6016_4000_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/1a0618_dfa84f8f5ace428d95dc0fde7002e113~mv2_d_6016_4000_s_4_2.webp)
Editor
Oct 10, 20192 min read
Local Lab: Building a sustainable future
Professor Gabriela Medero is a civil engineer at Heriot-Watt University who, for years, has been concerned about the huge amounts of...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1a0618_47729cd4082a41a8ba4eafe84f921e10~mv2_d_1920_1285_s_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/1a0618_47729cd4082a41a8ba4eafe84f921e10~mv2_d_1920_1285_s_2.webp)
![Falkirk Nappy Library](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1a0618_47729cd4082a41a8ba4eafe84f921e10~mv2_d_1920_1285_s_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/1a0618_47729cd4082a41a8ba4eafe84f921e10~mv2_d_1920_1285_s_2.webp)
Editor
Oct 10, 20193 min read
Falkirk Nappy Library
“We are all cloth-bum parents, and we run the nappy library to help other parents and carers understand and use cloth nappies and other...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1a0618_6312b8fe93fe4ff5a6c4862170e1576d~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/1a0618_6312b8fe93fe4ff5a6c4862170e1576d~mv2.webp)
![Local food – fresh, free, no packaging.](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1a0618_6312b8fe93fe4ff5a6c4862170e1576d~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/1a0618_6312b8fe93fe4ff5a6c4862170e1576d~mv2.webp)
Editor
Oct 10, 20191 min read
Local food – fresh, free, no packaging.
We’ve forgotten how to feed ourselves. To a large extent, for this most basic of human needs, we’re totally dependent on supermarkets and...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1a0618_14abd61d465d49afbc3f2718c21e3b54~mv2_d_4608_3456_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/1a0618_14abd61d465d49afbc3f2718c21e3b54~mv2_d_4608_3456_s_4_2.webp)
![What is a Tool Library? (or, a Thing Library?)](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1a0618_14abd61d465d49afbc3f2718c21e3b54~mv2_d_4608_3456_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/1a0618_14abd61d465d49afbc3f2718c21e3b54~mv2_d_4608_3456_s_4_2.webp)
Editor
Oct 10, 20193 min read
What is a Tool Library? (or, a Thing Library?)
What do you think of when you hear “Tool Library”? I had assumed it was a place you could hire garden or DIY tools, until I visited the...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1a0618_256dbe70cbf14dc985b47fc2dc7cc46a~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/1a0618_256dbe70cbf14dc985b47fc2dc7cc46a~mv2.webp)
![Pure passion for food equality](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1a0618_256dbe70cbf14dc985b47fc2dc7cc46a~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/1a0618_256dbe70cbf14dc985b47fc2dc7cc46a~mv2.webp)
Editor
Oct 10, 20193 min read
Pure passion for food equality
The Sustainable Thinking Scotland Foodbank Farm It all started when a couple of guys working for a large supermarket were involved in...
![Local Lab: Is there still hope for our endangered coral reefs?](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1a0618_569d6b6752154001ad8b7bfe2ebe3823~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_95,enc_auto/1a0618_569d6b6752154001ad8b7bfe2ebe3823~mv2.webp)
Editor
Sep 9, 20192 min read
Local Lab: Is there still hope for our endangered coral reefs?
Around the world, the long-term survival of reefs is in question because of the environmental stress that climate change is placing on them.
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