Helen Todd
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helenrambler.bsky.social
Helen Todd
@helenrambler.bsky.social
1.4K followers 750 following 430 posts
Retired in 2024 from Ramblers Scotland; Chair Planning Democracy; board member Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre; volunteer with Spokes; Hon Fellow Scottish Env LINK.
Interested in walking, cycling, mountains, Scottish politics, CND, climate change, gardening.
Posts Replies Media Videos
helenrambler.bsky.social
Come on, Scottish Government, have the courage to stand up for your own planning policy and refuse this damaging application once and for all.
A nationally & internationally protected site for nature is the wrong place for yet another golf course.
theferret.scot The Ferret @theferret.scot · 2d
🔴NEW: The Scottish Government has been secretly lobbied to give the go-ahead to one of Scotland’s most fiercely disputed planning applications, according to emails seen by The Ferret.

Read the full story 👉 https://bit.ly/4kYdMl3
February 16, 2026 at 6:55 PM
Reposted by Helen Todd
bordersnaturalist.bsky.social
Something smells bad at Highland Council - either Councillors or employees lobbying behind the scenes to influence Ministerial decision on the proposed Coul Links Golf Course development. www.theferret.scot/backroom-lob...
‘Backroom’ lobbying on Coul Links golf plan under fire
Scottish ministers have been privately urged to back plans for a golf course on a coastal wildlife site. This has been condemned as “backdoor lobbying that tries to bypass the rules”.
www.theferret.scot
February 16, 2026 at 5:06 PM
Reposted by Helen Todd
edi.bike
🚲 edi.bike | issue 132 | 16th Feb '26

Visitor Levy funds - ‘Compromised’ George St plans dropped; Cycling Scottish Election Hustings in March; plus events, infrastructure, route closures & more:

https://buttondown.com/edi.bike/archive/edibike-issue-132-16th-feb-26/
A stone path slopes away upwards under bare trees and a grey winter sky; the ground is wet and there is drizzling rain. To the right of the path, a well-fed braid burn tumbles by, flanked by foliage.
February 16, 2026 at 8:26 AM
helenrambler.bsky.social
This is going to be a great hustings! A good chance to question candidates standing in Edinburgh & the Lothians on cycling. And also the wider policy context around cycling - transport, health, environment, communities, planning …
February 15, 2026 at 4:48 PM
helenrambler.bsky.social
Kirkcaldy to Burntisland today, a new section of the Fife Coastal Path for me. Brilliant sunshine to start, but hazed over by lunchtime.
What a great amenity this path is! Full of walkers and the odd cyclist, lots of seabirds but no whales spotted this time, sadly.
☀️🥾🌊🐳
Man standing on beach with the town of Kirkcaldy in the distance. Blue skies and sea Man walking on a rocky shore with an old stone pier and rocky outcrops behind. Snowy hills across the sea in the distance Woman leaning on a railing above the village of Kinghorn in Fife Woman on a sandy beach at low tide under hazy skies. Edinburgh across the water.
February 14, 2026 at 5:01 PM
Reposted by Helen Todd
nickkempe.bsky.social
New post Parkswatchscotland: Forestry grants, tree planting and native woodland (1) – 30 years on in Glen Shiel https://parkswatchscotland.co.uk/?p=32367
February 13, 2026 at 10:52 AM
helenrambler.bsky.social
What excellent news!
scotnational.bsky.social The National @scotnational.bsky.social · 5d
Protesters celebrate outside the High Court in London after a legal case challenging the proscription of Palestine Action won on two grounds.

About a hundred people gathered outside the building cheering and chanting “Free Palestine” as the decision was announced.
February 13, 2026 at 10:38 AM
Reposted by Helen Todd
spokes.org.uk
#Silverknowes Road to #Promenade

🙋 Ends 10 Feb
🙋 Please support!
--> consultation.appyway.com/edinburgh-ci...

If you want detail, see our draft response
--> www.spokes.org.uk/wp-content/u...

@edi.bike @nialla.bsky.social @edfoc.bsky.social @edcriticalmass.bsky.social @stephenjenkinson.bsky.social
Map of the route, from council consultation site Official statement of reasons for the traffic order... Statement of Reasons The City of Edinburgh Council (Traffic Regulation; Restrictions on Waiting, Loading and Unloading, Stopping and Parking Places and Prohibition of Motor Vehicles) (Silverknowes Road Area, Edinburgh) (No. 1) Experimental Traffic Regulation Order 2025 – ETRO/21/30C The introduction of the proposed measures are intended to provide safer cycling infrastructure and pedestrian priority areas, encourage sustainable travel (walking and cycling) and improve road safety. The scheme is being introduced by way of Experimental Traffic Order made under Section 9 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, so as to allow the Council to modify or vary the scheme at short notice once in force, should circumstances require. On 16 November 2023 the Council approved proposals to use Experimental Traffic Regulation Orders (ETROs) to take forward a revised version of the Silverknowes Road Travelling Safely Scheme including re-opening Silverknowes Road north of Silverknowes Parkway to general traffic, and installing cycle lanes and parking restrictions on Silverknowes Road south of Silverknowes Parkway. The proposed 18-month trial is intended to support the approved transport hierarchy, measures included in the City Mobility Plan and Draft Circulation Plan. Edinburgh needs mobility options that by 2030 are carbon emission free, efficient, accessible and affordable. The more opportunity we have to make greener, safer, more sustainable choices in how we move around, the greater the chance we have to reduce the impact of climate change. The perception of risk that pedestrians and cyclists face is a major obstacle to encouraging more people to walk, wheel and cycle between the places they live, work and visit. Measures will be monitored and evaluated during the first year and considered for retention under separate traffic orders as appropriate Part of the draft spokes response See link in the post for the full draft We feel that the general principle embodied in this scheme is extremely sensible. It allows an important connection (from NCN1 to the Promenade) to follow the obvious desire line. SOUTH SECTION The more southerly section is particularly important in facilitating active travel to and from Davidson’s Mains Primary School, as this section sees substantial footfall as a key part of the school’s catchment area. This is likely to encourage use and meet the strategic goals set by CEC for the project (to some extent – see below for comments on issues that need further improvement). The retention of the existing segregation between Drive and Court on the east side is useful and appropriate (also c.f. above comment on travel to the primary school), and the extension of segregation on the west side of this section is welcome. Thereafter, the absence of any substantial segregation is poor. It is in some respects a shame that the previous quiet route is being replaced by unprotected, paint-only provision (albeit that the lack of signage and off-desire line nature of that route limited its uptake). The floating parking protection to the immediate north of the shops works reasonably well, and appears to be having a traffic-calming effect. However, the remainder of the route to the roundabout at the Parkway is unprotected and anecdotal experience is that the effective widening of the road by removing parking is allowing higher average speeds – the two “chicane” installations are not sufficient to keep speeds low, and the absence of any segregation means cyclists are left at much higher risk than is acceptable. We note that recent CEC traffic surveys have shown average speeds on this road to be higher than the threshold for action on a 20mph limit road. We therefore strongly urge you to look again at this section and to provide additional segregation or other protection, perhaps by installing further floating… Letter to Spokes from a local resident... Dear Spokes, I am writing about the new bike lanes along Silverknowes road that has been recently implemented. This in my opinion is a wonderful change that joins up the Blackhall bike path with the promenade along the beach. Unfortunately, this change has also caused criticism by some residents claiming that the bike lanes are useless and dangerous. They are not useless because it is used by many cyclists and certainly they are not dangerous. It is great to have our own lane without worrying too much about cars and it is great to have double yellow lines so that no one can park their car on the bike lane. Before the bike lanes were implemented it was risky and dangerous to always zig-zag between parked cars. On Friday 24th there was an impromptu rally of anti-road change with SMP Sue Webber. I feel concerned that if the people who are pro bike lane do not come forward, the road will be reversed again. The main objections at the rally are about the limitations on on-street parking due to double yellow lines but without double line, people would continue parking on the bike lane which would defeat the purpose of separate lane for bikes. I am seeking assistance from your organization since I strongly believe that bike lanes will improve public safety and contribute to a healthier environment. Thank you
February 9, 2026 at 11:41 AM
Reposted by Helen Todd
raptorpersuk.bsky.social
Golden Eagle found shot in the Scottish Borders - Police Scotland appeals for information.

'Hamlet' is the sixth victim of eagle persecution in south Scotland in recent years.

Details in blog ⬇️

#RaptorResearch #WildlifeCrime #BirdingScotland 🌍

raptorpersecutionuk.org/2026/02/09/g...
Golden Eagle found shot in Scottish Borders – Police Scotland appeals for information
Press release from Police Scotland (9 February 2026) APPEAL AFTER GOLDEN EAGLE SHOT IN THE SCOTTISH BORDERS Wildlife officers are appealing to the public for information after a four-year-old golde…
raptorpersecutionuk.org
February 9, 2026 at 1:24 PM
Reposted by Helen Todd
edi.bike
🚲 edi.bike | issue 131 | 9th Feb '26

Dashboard of Delays to the Active Travel Improvements Programme; Barnton Connections Consultation Ends TODAY and Silverknowes ETRO Consultation Tomorrow; plus events, infrastructure, route closures & more:

buttondown.com/edi.bike/arc...

#bikeSky #edinburgh
A yellow roadworks vehicle sits parked on a section of closed pavement, next to a dug out section of footway; the works are surrounded by red and white plastic blocks topped with fencing. The trees are bare and traffic queues to pass at the traffic lights; in the background are looming sandstone tenements and the Summerhall buildings, under a bright but clouded sky.
February 9, 2026 at 10:59 AM
Reposted by Helen Todd
plandemoc.bsky.social
Upcoming webinar on Freedom of Information Tools

@aprscotland.bsky.social and @plandemoc.bsky.social are teaming up with @ercscot.bsky.social webinar

🔎 How ‘Freedom of Information’ can help your campaign
Wednesday 25 February 2026 7-8.30pm Online event

Sign up here aprs.scot/how-freedom-...
How 'Freedom of Information' can help your campaign - Action to Protect Rural Scotland
Wednesday 25 February 7-830pm online Freedom of Information is one tool in the box which you can use to help
aprs.scot
February 7, 2026 at 7:15 PM
Reposted by Helen Todd
auntiesyzygy.bsky.social
Shameful that we in Scotland rely on the work of one mostly un-funded person for so much of our still incomplete knowledge of our land, who owns it, and how it is owned.

One of our universities shd give him a lifetime fellowship with a stipend and funded access. And ScotGov - be more transparent!
andywightman.scot Andy Wightman @andywightman.scot · 11d
BLOG - Today I publish my annual Rural Land Market report examining land sales in 2024. For the first time, I reveal the prices paid for 21 properties which were concealed from public view. Do have a read - only 9 pages (the blog is worth your time too) andywightman.scot/2026/02/rura...
Rural Land Market Report 2024 - Land Matters
Today I publish my annual analysis of large-scale rural land sales in 2024. It follows earlier reports for 2020-22 and for 2023. One of the key issues raised in the report and in this blog is covered ...
andywightman.scot
February 7, 2026 at 8:01 AM
Reposted by Helen Todd
nickkempe.bsky.social
New post Parkswatchscotland: The Scottish Government’s £3.3m forestry grant to Oxygen Conservation at Invergeldie https://parkswatchscotland.co.uk/?p=32333
February 7, 2026 at 8:36 AM
Reposted by Helen Todd
aprscotland.bsky.social
BREAKING NEWS!
Edinburgh City Council Committee REJECT the application for a 210MW Data Centre at Edinburgh Gyle
This was refused on the ground of:
Contrary to NPF4 policy 1 - as it does not address the climate crisis
1/2
February 4, 2026 at 1:58 PM
Reposted by Helen Todd
countrysideben.bsky.social
It's @walkhighlands.co.uk time! And in my latest column I'm taking a closer look at the weirdness that is Fata Morgana. I've only seen this bizarre mirage a couple of times, and this particular sighting was on 27th December on Carn na Drochaide. My brain hurts after writing it though! 😆
Fata Morgana: when Morgan le Fay comes out to play
At first it was subtle, barely enough to suggest anything was amiss - a long, flat-topped plateau in the distance, somewhere over towards Drumochter, and I was struggling to identify it. We do of c...
www.walkhighlands.co.uk
February 3, 2026 at 10:06 AM
Reposted by Helen Todd
ramblersscotland.bsky.social
Yes, great to get a chance to speak on the show. Especially as there's quite a bit of common ground between walkers, farmers and landowners on the urgent need for better funding for paths and outdoor access in Scotland.
Post-Brexit farm payments betray Scottish walkers, charity warns
Press release – issued by Ramblers Scotland. Scotland’s long-awaited overhaul of farming subsidy fails to replace “invaluable” lost funding for paths and public access, a leading walking charity has w...
www.ramblers.org.uk
February 2, 2026 at 3:59 PM
helenrambler.bsky.social
Well worth a listen. Lack of funding for paths, signage, bridges - and conflict resolution - impacts badly on the public AND farmers & land managers.
In fact the Scottish Govt does allocate funding for 'land access' but it's £8.1m shared among 32 local authorities and hasn't changed since 2008.
ramblersscotland.bsky.social Ramblers Scotland @ramblersscotland.bsky.social · 16d
“We risk having world-class outdoor access rights, but 3rd-rate funding to actually make sure they’re delivered.”

Our director @bjpaddy.bsky.social just made the case for a £50million Scottish Paths Fund, on BBC Radio 4 Farming Today.

🔈Listen again below & see more on the @ramblers.org.uk website.
Farming Today - 02/02/26 Scottish Environment Bill, Ramblers report, new entrants. - BBC Sounds
Scotland paves the way for legal targets on nature.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 2, 2026 at 11:36 AM
Reposted by Helen Todd
ramblersscotland.bsky.social
“We risk having world-class outdoor access rights, but 3rd-rate funding to actually make sure they’re delivered.”

Our director @bjpaddy.bsky.social just made the case for a £50million Scottish Paths Fund, on BBC Radio 4 Farming Today.

🔈Listen again below & see more on the @ramblers.org.uk website.
Farming Today - 02/02/26 Scottish Environment Bill, Ramblers report, new entrants. - BBC Sounds
Scotland paves the way for legal targets on nature.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 2, 2026 at 6:12 AM
Reposted by Helen Todd
edi.bike
🚲 edi.bike | issue 130 | 2nd Feb '26

Scottish Budget Spin, Smoke and Mirrors Hide Huge Active Travel Underfunding; ‘Monster Bikes’ Bill gets First Parliamentary Reading; Transport Committee Round-up; plus events, infrastructure, route closures & more:

buttondown.com/edi.bike/arc...

#edinburgh
A round, blue street sign depicting a white icon of a bicycle is affixed to a wooden planter filtering a road; we see the sign in close-up against the brown panelling of the wood, with some gently overhanging ivy and other plants growing from the top of the unit. In a hazy backdrop are the tops of sandstone buildings and the profile of hills beyond.
February 2, 2026 at 10:39 AM
Reposted by Helen Todd
walkhighlands.co.uk
Scotland’s world-class outdoor access rights are being pushed to breaking point due to a collapse in investment in staff and paths - report from @ramblersscotland.bsky.social
Survey reveals collapse in funding for paths and outdoor access
Scotland’s world-class outdoor access rights are being pushed to breaking point due to a collapse in investment in staff and paths, a new report has revealed today.   Since 2003, people in Scotland...
www.walkhighlands.co.uk
January 29, 2026 at 6:11 PM
Reposted by Helen Todd
spokes.org.uk
#ScotBudget

#ActiveTravel 🚶👩‍🦼🚲 falls below 4% of total transport

--> www.spokes.org.uk/2026/01/scot...

@edi.bike @transform.scot @edinburghbug.bsky.social @keithirving.bsky.social @stephenjenkinson.bsky.social @alastairdalton.bsky.social @sw20.info @markruskell.bsky.social @magnatom.bsky.social
Start of Spokes budget article... ScotGov draft budget 26/27: Active Travel obfuscation The ‘Level 4 spreadsheet’ accompanying the Scottish Government’s draft budget shows Support for Active and Sustainable Travel rising by an incredible 66.3%, from £135.8m in 25/26 to £226m in 26/27. This has been widely commended. However, when the smoke and mirrors are removed, it seems likely that total funding for active travel will actually fall slightly in cash terms, and, as a % of total transport, from 4.3% in 25/26 to less than 4% in 26/27. How can such an apparantly good news story be so misleading? We discuss this in detail later below, but, in summary… the big combined rise in Active and Sustainable looks likely to be for Sustainable (specifically, bus infrastructure) whilst Active looks likely to fall the quoted £135.8m for Active and Sustainable is misleadingly low, which makes the 66% increase to £226m look misleadingly high.
January 28, 2026 at 7:57 PM
Reposted by Helen Todd
drmhartl.bsky.social
#edinburgh #edcriticalmass #CriticalMass #cycling
January 29, 2026 at 8:51 AM
Reposted by Helen Todd
georgemonbiot.bsky.social
Please spread this far and wide, as stories don't get much bigger than this. When the government blocks even the intelligence services from telling us we're heading for environmental catastrophe, you know we have a problem. A very big problem.
Thank you.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The UK government didn't want you to see this report on ecosystem collapse. I'm not surprised | George Monbiot
It took an FOI request to bring this national security assessment to light. For ‘doomsayers’ like us, it is the ultimate vindication, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot
www.theguardian.com
January 28, 2026 at 7:18 AM
helenrambler.bsky.social
Complaints to the press are part of a healthy media culture. But vexatious complaints on this scale are designed to tie up resources & reduce the effectiveness of The National's journalism. Why is the paper seen as such a threat? Surely the world can cope with ONE independence-supporting newspaper!
scotnational.bsky.social The National @scotnational.bsky.social · 23d
The National is the most complained about newspaper in the UK outside London.

But new IPSO figures show of 135 complaints last year, ZERO were upheld. Our Editor reacts.
January 27, 2026 at 4:52 PM
Reposted by Helen Todd
raptorpersuk.bsky.social
Seven sacks of dead Pheasants dumped by side of road in S Lanarkshire.

Dodgy ethics aside, no need to worry about the mandatory biosecurity measures that everyone, including gamebird shoot managers, are supposed to comply with, eh? #AvianFlu

New blog ⬇️

raptorpersecutionuk.org/2026/01/26/s...
Seven sacks of dead Pheasants dumped by side of road in South Lanarkshire
Seven sacks of dead Pheasants have been dumped by the side of the road at two locations (3km apart) near Stonehouse, South Lanarkshire earlier this month (many thanks to the blog reader who sent in…
raptorpersecutionuk.org
January 26, 2026 at 5:48 PM