Changing Climate, Changing Midlothian

Looking after the River Esk and its wildlife - Katrina Vernon

Tue, 27 Oct 2026 00:15:00 +0000

Katrina Vernon, a volunteer with Buglife, talks with host Osbert Lancaster.

Listen to hear how Kat’s work taking children out in nature led to her becoming a citizen scientist monitoring the health of the River Esk, and later training others to do the same.

Kat reflects on how even when things can seem bad, coming together to work with other people to take action makes a difference. Kat talks about the importance not just of spending time in nature, but also learning about what’s going on in our rivers and woodlands and how we can care for them.

Changing Climate, Changing Midlothian explores what the climate and nature emergency means with people living and working in the county. Their reflections will help inform discussions as cross sector representatives and community leaders meet in October to agree a new Single Midlothian Plan setting collective outcomes and actions for the next three years.

Changing Climate, Changing Midlothian is produced for the Midlothian Community Planning Climate Emergency Group by Thrivable Scotland, and is kindly supported by Midlothian Climate Action Hub, Midlothian Community Planning and Midlothian Energy Ltd.

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Thrivable Scotland helps changemakers engage their colleagues, communities and stakeholders to solve challenges today while building capacity to thrive in an unpredictable future.

Building young people’s confidence, knowledge and belonging - Craig Biddick

Tue, 20 Oct 2026 00:15:00 +0000

Craig Biddick, Head Teacher at Penicuik High School, talks with host Osbert Lancaster as they walk in Dalkeith Country Park.

Listen to Craig’s reflections on the importance of embedding climate change and sustainability in eduction – and the challenges of doing do.

Craig talks about:

Why education needs to equip young people with the knowledge to recognise misinformation
The most effective ways to include sustainability issues in a crowded curriculum and when resources are tight
The potential to involve students in local planning so they can genuinely influence the future they will be living in
and much more…

Find out more about:

Thrivable Scotland: helping changemakers engage their colleagues, communities and stakeholders to solve challenges today while building capacity to thrive in an unpredictable future.

Empowering and healing by connecting with nature - Leigh Clapperton

Tue, 13 Oct 2026 00:15:00 +0000

Leigh Clapperton, co-owner of the Pentland View Outdoor Sauna, talks with host Osbert Lancaster at the site of her business – a field on the edge of the Pentlands at Holland.

Listen to hear about Leigh’s career shift from social work to setting up a nature-based business, and the perhaps surprising connections between social work and her new venture.

Leigh talks about:

how time in nature is good for people’s health wellbeing
how more social prescribing would help more people but the system makes it difficult
why we need to stop seeing people as victims and focus instead on empowerment
and much more…

Find out more about:

Thrivable Scotland helps changemakers engage their colleagues, communities and stakeholders to solve challenges today while building capacity to thrive in an unpredictable future.

Making walking, cycling, bus and rail travel easier - Brian Farrell

Tue, 06 Oct 2026 00:15:00 +0000

Brian Farrell, chair of Eskbank and Newbattle Community Council, talks with host Osbert Lancaster as they walk in Dalkeith Country Park.

Listen to hear how Brian and other community councillors have worked to make a whole range of improvements to the local area, especially to make cycling and walking easier, and to improve bus and rail services.

Brian talks about:

shaping Midlothian’s 10 year active travel strategy
new paths, new bus stops and improving bus and rail travel
opportunities to increase renewable energy generation on public buildings
the challenges for the community and infrastructure from massive housing developments
and much more…

Find out more about:

Thrivable Scotland: helping changemakers engage their colleagues, communities and stakeholders to solve challenges today while building capacity to thrive in an unpredictable future.

Growing a business to regenerate nature - Sally Gouldstone

Tue, 29 Sep 2026 17:35:00 +0000

Dr Sally Gouldstone, Founder of Seilich, a wildlife friendly herbal tea and skincare company near Pathhead, talks with host Osbert Lancaster.

Listen to hear how botanist Sally became so frustrated with traditional nature conservation projects that she decided to try a different approach – and created a new kind of business that thrives when nature thrives.

Sally reflects on journey that’s been both tough and rewarding, talking about:

how “natural” products aren’t always good for nature
how a genuinely wildlife friendly business approach regenerates nature
why luxury products should be held to the highest environmental standards
advice and lessons for other green businesses looking for investment and support
how other farmers and landowners can get involved with this approach
and much more…

Find out more about:

Thrivable Scotland helps changemakers engage their colleagues, communities and stakeholders to solve challenges today while building capacity to thrive in an unpredictable future.

Better developments through better engagement - James Palmer

Wed, 23 Sep 2026 01:00:00 +0000

James Palmer, Head of Land at Apatura, talks with host Osbert Lancaster at Dalkeith Country Park.

Listen to hear about James’ experience of working on a number of major developments in Midlothian including the brand new Mayfield Community Learning Campus and the historic Penicuik Estate.

James talks about why we wont tackle the climate and nature crisis unless we address the root causes, and why high quality engagement between developers and communities is essential to create better social, environmental and economic outcomes for all.

Find out more:

Thrivable Scotland: helping changemakers engage their colleagues, communities and stakeholders to solve challenges today while building capacity to thrive in an unpredictable future.

Training renewable energy systems installers - Andrew Lamond

Wed, 16 Sep 2026 01:00:00 +0000

Andrew Lamond, Director & Co-Founder of The Energy Training Academy, Dalkeith, talks with host Osbert Lancaster at Newbattle Abbey.

Listen to hear why Andrew set up the academy to provide training in the installation and maintenance of gas and renewable energy systems, and his reflections on the industry and its response to the climate crisis.

Andrew highlights the practical challenges of training both new and existing engineers in renewable systems, the different factors affecting new installations in build and existing housing stock, and the opportunities he sees for house builders to help drive the transition to renewables.

Find out more:

Thrivable Scotland: helping changemakers engage their colleagues, communities and stakeholders to solve challenges today while building capacity to thrive in an unpredictable future.

Community action tackling local hardship - Sharon Hill

Wed, 09 Sep 2026 01:00:00 +0000

Sharon Hill, manager of Mayfield and Easthouses Development Trust, talks with host Osbert Lancaster at Mayfield Park and the community garden where her colleague Phil Morris joins the conversation.

Listen to hear how Sharon, the Trust and the local community have created a beautiful garden and café space from an abandoned bowling green and pavilion, and how the community pantry and the cafe are providing low cost, healthy, food and meals to everyone without stigma.

Sharon highlights how climate change is connected with local hardship, why communities feel they can’t rely on government to help them out, and the importance of honest partnerships, trust, and relationship-building to strengthen and support community action.

Find out more about:

Thrivable Scotland: helping changemakers engage their colleagues, communities and stakeholders to solve challenges today while building capacity to thrive in an unpredictable future.

Shaping collective action on climate and nature in Midlothian

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 13:00:00 +0000

Listen to the trailer to the discover how reflections of people in Midlothian about the climate and nature crisis will help inform discussions as cross sector representatives and community leaders meet in October to agree a new Single Midlothian Plan setting collective outcomes and actions for the next three years.

Changing Climate, Changing Midlothian, is produced for the Midlothian Community Planning Climate Emergency Group by Thrivable Scotland, and is kindly supported by Midlothian Climate Action Hub, Midlothian Community Planning and Midlothian Energy Ltd.

Find out more about this podcast and the Midlothian Community Planning Partnership.