A Green Flag Award, the national award for public and community parks and green spaces, has been made to the Edinburgh Campus of Heriot-Watt University, the only Scottish university to feature on the Awards listing.
We have actually increased biodiversity on the site, providing a Campus which is a wonderful facility for our students, staff and visitors.
Peter Kerr, Director of Estates Services, Heriot-Watt UniversityThe award was given for the formal gardens and central woodland on the 380 acre site to the west of Edinburgh. The grounds, to which the University moved, from the city centre, during the late 60's and '70's, was gifted by Midlothian Council, having previously formed the historic gardens and grounds of the old Riccarton Estate.
An enviable asset
Peter Kerr, Director of Estates Services, said, "Heriot-Watt is a very modern University whose Edinburgh Campus reflects a wealth of history. The mature woodland and loch, along with formal gardens and a wealth of tree species and ecological diversity, were an enviable asset for the University to inherit. The challenge has always been to conserve and enhance these while developing and running a modern University campus and Research Park.
"Studies we've undertaken along the way show that we have actually increased biodiversity on the site, providing a Campus which is a wonderful facility for our students, staff and visitors.
"This Award is a very welcome recognition of what has been achieved thanks to the input and expertise of Heriot-Watt's Site Conservation Committee and the commitment and hard work of all of our staff."
Bringing generations together
Communities Minister, Andrew Stunell said, "Great parks and green spaces have a huge impact on local communities, providing places to play and relax as well as bringing generations together in a variety of ways. They are fundamental to our quality of life, whether in cities, towns or villages, and the Green Flag Award scheme seeks to help raise the standards of them all. The many excellent stories coming from the scheme prove what communities and volunteers can achieve by working together with professionals in our green spaces. Well done to all those involved in creating these inspirational places for everyone to enjoy."
Paul Todd, Green Flag Award Scheme Manager, said, "We are thrilled to announce yet another record-breaking year for Green Flag Award parks and green spaces. A Green Flag Award provides national recognition for the achievements of all those whose hard work and dedication has helped to create these fantastic places for all to enjoy."