Allotments

Allotments as we know them today gathered pace in Edinburgh in the mid-19^th century, when reformers believed the diseases that afflicted so many of the poor stemmed from lack of food and nourishment. They demanded plots be set aside for people to grow their own vegetables.

Today allotments are enjoying renewed popularity. People are taking a keener interest in the environment, and the purity of the food they eat and their own lifestyles have become much more important to them. The Council encourages their interest and is committed to the upgrading of allotments in conjunction with the Federation of Edinburgh and District Garden and Allotment Association as an economic way of producing food, as well as a healthy form of outdoor activity.

Edinburgh Council's 21 allotments sites are located throughout the city. They are found at:

• Bridgend, Old Dalkeith Road, EH16 4
• Cambridge Avenue, off Pilrig Street, near Arthur Street Lane, EH6 5
• Carrick Knowe, Glendevon Park, beside Carrick Knowe Golf Course, EH12 5
• Chesser Crescent, Chesser Crescent, EH14 1
• Claremont Park, Claremont Gardens, EH6 7
• Craigentinny , Findlay Gardens, EH7 6
• Ferry Road, Ferry Road, near Chancelot Grove, EH5/7
• Findlay Avenue/Sleigh Drive, Findlay Avenue, entrance between 18-24, EH7 6
• Hutchison Loan, Hutchison Loan, EH14 1
• Inverleith Park, East Fettes Avenue, EH3 5
• Lady Road, Lady Road, Cameron Toll, EH16 5
• Leith Links, 1 Links Gardens, beside St Mary's Primary School.
• Midmar (two fields) , Midmar Drive, facing Blackford Hill, EH10 4PU
• Pilrig Park, entrance of Balfour Place, EH6 5
• Prospect Bank Place , off Prospect Bank Road, EH7
• Redhall, off Lanark Road, past Redhall View. EH14
• Restalrig, off Prospect Bank Road, EH7
• Saughton Mains, off Chesser Loan, EH14 1
• Stenhouse, Saughton Mains Street, EH11
• Warriston, Warriston Road, EH7
• West Mains, Blackford Avenue, EH9.

If you would like to apply for an allotment or require further information please contact the Allotments Officer at the address to the right. Please note at this time there is a waiting list for all sites.

Cultivating Communities – An Allotment Strategy for the City of Edinburgh

Cultivating Communities is a strategy for the development of allotments in Edinburgh. It was approved by the Council in November 2002. The strategy is in two parts with the main text as one document and the appendices as another. The main text contains a description of the benefits of allotments with an analysis of the current situation, including an assessment of demand for allotments, recommendations relating to the protection of existing allotment sites, both public and private, recommendations for upgrading of the Council’s allotment sites, and recommendations for future development of allotment gardening.

The appendices contain a history of Edinburgh’s allotments, background to the current legislation, planning policy, and details of a survey of allotment holders carried out in 2001, and the membership of the working group that guided the creation of the strategy.

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Allotments strategy (PDF) (2 MB)

Allotments strategy appendices (PDF) (1 MB)

Allotments strategy (Word) (156 kB)

Allotments strategy appendices (Word) (2 MB)