What's On
We would love you to continue your involvement in all of our activities, including the Restoration Forth Project.
All sorts of opportunities are being organised. Check out our next events here.
September
Porty Art Talk What the Eye Cannot See with Edinburgh Shoreline Project
Location: Portobello Beach, by John Street, EH15 2EB
Date & Time : Sun 8 September, 1pm to 2pm
Ever looked out on a beautiful sunny day and enjoyed the shimmering water of the Forth, or commented on the atmospheric harr that flows from the Forth across Edinburgh on more misty days?
Ever wondered what might be underneath the surface?
Join ecologists, Leonie Alexander and Rosslyn Barr, to hear a little of what they know about what lies beneath… and how you can get involved to help our marine environment.
The Forth has been fundamental to local people for food, economy, health and wellbeing for centuries! It’s had a roller coaster of highs and lows, times where it’s inhabitants have been plentiful and times where almost all species are under threat.
Come along and join us for a light (prop supported) talk where we’ll share a little of the Forth’s history, tell you a few tall tales about famous local residents (human and animal) and then move to the more serious side of the Forth’s current marine and coastal state and what we’re doing to help.
Tickets are available here:
August
Oyster Observer Course
Location: Seton Sands Parking Links Road Longniddry EH32 0TB
Date & Time : Saturday 1:30 - 2:30pm
Native oysters have been missing from the Forth for over 100 years! Once a cheap street food enjoyed by local residents, they are now in need of our help. The Restoration Forth project have been restoring a population into the Forth, having selected a few suitable areas.
What helps in picking suitable restoration areas, is spotting where oyster shells are along our coastline. Where they once were is a clue to where might be suitable in future. This is where you can help.
Would you like to learn how to identify oyster shells and help us restore the Firth of Forth?
We have developed a citizen science tool, the Oyster Observer Guide, to help us identify locations that would be most suitable for oyster restoration. During this training session we will show you how to identify oyster shells, carry out the survey and record your survey results. This Oyster Observer Guide training session will provide you with the skills to carry out this survey and contribute to our work restoring oysters to the Firth of Forth.
No previous knowledge or experience is necessary to take part in this event.
This activity is suitable for all ages, as long as there is adult supervision. Booking is essential. Please book tickets for children as well as adults.
Free tickets should be reserved through Eventbrite:
Oyster Observer Guide Training Tickets, Sat, Aug 31, 2024 at 1:30 PM | Eventbrite
May
Marine Restoration workshop- make your voice heard!
Location - Adam Smith Theatre, Bennochy Road Kirkcaldy KY1 1ET
Wednesday 15th May 2024
1pm - 4pm
Restoration Forth is working to restore European flat oysters and
seagrass across the Firth of Forth with local communities – all with the aim of improving biodiversity and the natural environment around us.
You can easily reserve a free place by following this Eventbrite link
100 Species Exhibition
Location - Scottish Fisheries Museum, Anstruther, Fife
Friday 29 March 2024 - 10 June 2024
museum opening hours
The 100 Species Exhibition celebrates the life that thrives on our coast and in our seas. It takes viewers on a journey from the skies above, to the shore, through the inter-tidal zone, before finally taking a deep dive under the waves.
Edinburgh Shoreline offered people the chance to respond creatively to one of the many species that lives (or lived) in and around the Firth of Forth and to help raise awareness about its importance. Participants were encouraged to choose a species, learn about it and its habitat, dependency on other species (and possibly one amazing fact!) and then create something to celebrate it – this could be a painting, model, sculpture, jewellery, something knitted, sewn, welded or carved, a poem, a song or a play, ‘a short video’. Everyone was asked to consider sustainability and if possible use upcycled or recycled materials.
The responses were many and varied – as the resulting exhibition shows – it is a riotous and colourful celebration of life, from the smallest bacteria to humpback whales. It also celebrates the creativity of the makers – from professional artists to community groups to schools – and encourages us all to learn about the interconnected web of life under the sea and our role in protecting its future.
Admission included within Museum Entry
Restoration Forth Oyster Biosecurity
Location - Heriot-Watt University Edinburgh Campus
May 7th, 8th, 9th
10am - 4pm
We are delighted to invite you to join us in the preparation of European flat oysters to be reintroduced to the Firth of Forth as part of the Restoration Forth project. These oysters are contributing to the restoration of Eurpoean flat oysters in the Firth of Forth for the first time in 100 years!
The oysters will have previously been collected by the team from Little Loch Broom near Ullapool. We are inviting you to get involved in the biosecurity processes of oysters necessary for their movement to a restoration site and to join with lots of learning along the way.
This event is suitable for over 18’s only and not recommended for anyone with a shellfish allergy or repetitive strain injury- please see the important information at the end and get in touch if you have any questions.
April
Oyster Stringing Workshop
Location - Heriot-Watt University Edinburgh Campus
April 15th
10am - 4pm
For successful restoration, we need to monitor the outcomes of our restoration efforts to find out how many oysters survive and grow. This informs future activities and is a really important part of the restoration process. To monitor our oysters, we attach them to strings using marine epoxy putty and then tether them to the seabed at our deployment sites. We are then able to collect information about these oysters to give us an indication of the overall health of the oyster population. We are delighted to invite you to help us in this process of oyster stringing!
This event is suitable for over 18’s only and not recommended for anyone with a shellfish allergy or repetitive strain injury.
Advance booking essential – please reserve free tickets by following the link below.
Restoration Forth Oyster Biosecurity
Location - Heriot-Watt University Edinburgh Campus
April 9th, 10th, 11th
April 23rd, 24th, 25th
10am - 4pm
We are delighted to invite you to join us in the preparation of European flat oysters to be reintroduced to the Firth of Forth as part of the Restoration Forth project. These oysters are contributing to the restoration of Eurpoean flat oysters in the Firth of Forth for the first time in 100 years!
The oysters will have previously been collected by the team from Little Loch Broom near Ullapool. We are inviting you to get involved in the biosecurity processes of oysters necessary for their movement to a restoration site and to join with lots of learning along the way.
This event is suitable for over 18’s only and not recommended for anyone with a shellfish allergy or repetitive strain injury- please see the important information at the end and get in touch if you have any questions.
Children's Art Competition
for Fife based school children
- run by Scottish Fisheries Museum
Location - Scottish Fisheries Museum, Anstruther, Fife
Closing Date - 29th May 2024 at 5pm
The theme of this year’s competition is 100 Species in the Firth of Forth, which is inspired by our temporary exhibition 100 Species opening on 29th March.
This years competition is sponsored by Lomond Art: Art Supplies and Gallery in Cuper and Edinburgh Shoreline.
The exhibition explores the ecosystem and biodiversity of the Forth through artwork created by local individuals and community groups. It focuses on the importance of seagrass and oysters in restoring this fragile ecosystem.
The Firth of Forth is teeming with life. From tiny microscopic bacteria to majestic whales, life thrives on our coast and beneath the waves. The 100 species exhibition celebrates the ecosystem and biodiversity of the Firth of Forth through artwork created by locals and community groups who live around the Forth. Locals learned about the species and then created beautiful, impactful interpretations of those animals in different art mediums. These artworks are on display in the Scottish Fisheries Museum until 10th June 2024.
In this year’s Art Competition, pupils are invited to explore the 100 species that visit the Forth and those that call it home and create artworks inspired by these diverse animals that rely on each other to survive.
Scottish Fisheries Museum – Art Competition 2024 (scotfishmuseum.org)
100 Species Exhibition
Location - Scottish Fisheries Museum, Anstruther, Fife
Friday 29 March 2024 - 10 June 2024
museum opening hours
The 100 Species Exhibition celebrates the life that thrives on our coast and in our seas. It takes viewers on a journey from the skies above, to the shore, through the inter-tidal zone, before finally taking a deep dive under the waves.
Edinburgh Shoreline offered people the chance to respond creatively to one of the many species that lives (or lived) in and around the Firth of Forth and to help raise awareness about its importance. Participants were encouraged to choose a species, learn about it and its habitat, dependency on other species (and possibly one amazing fact!) and then create something to celebrate it – this could be a painting, model, sculpture, jewellery, something knitted, sewn, welded or carved, a poem, a song or a play, ‘a short video’. Everyone was asked to consider sustainability and if possible use upcycled or recycled materials.
The responses were many and varied – as the resulting exhibition shows – it is a riotous and colourful celebration of life, from the smallest bacteria to humpback whales. It also celebrates the creativity of the makers – from professional artists to community groups to schools – and encourages us all to learn about the interconnected web of life under the sea and our role in protecting its future.
Admission included within Museum Entry
March
100 Species Exhibition
Location - Scottish Fisheries Museum, Anstruther, Fife
Friday 29 March 2024 - 10 June 2024
museum opening hours
The 100 Species Exhibition celebrates the life that thrives on our coast and in our seas. It takes viewers on a journey from the skies above, to the shore, through the inter-tidal zone, before finally taking a deep dive under the waves.
Edinburgh Shoreline offered people the chance to respond creatively to one of the many species that lives (or lived) in and around the Firth of Forth and to help raise awareness about its importance. Participants were encouraged to choose a species, learn about it and its habitat, dependency on other species (and possibly one amazing fact!) and then create something to celebrate it – this could be a painting, model, sculpture, jewellery, something knitted, sewn, welded or carved, a poem, a song or a play, ‘a short video’. Everyone was asked to consider sustainability and if possible use upcycled or recycled materials.
The responses were many and varied – as the resulting exhibition shows – it is a riotous and colourful celebration of life, from the smallest bacteria to humpback whales. It also celebrates the creativity of the makers – from professional artists to community groups to schools – and encourages us all to learn about the interconnected web of life under the sea and our role in protecting its future.
Admission included within Museum Entry
Restoration Forth Seagrass Planting
SOLD OUT
Location - Drum Sands, Dalmeny Estate, Edinburgh
Saturday 16th March 2024
9:30am - 1:30pm
Restoration Forth Seagrass Planting
SOLD OUT
Location - Drum Sands, Dalmeny Estate, Edinburgh
Friday 15th March 2024
9:30am - 1:30pm
February
Citizen Science Evening in Musselburgh with Restoration Forth
SOLD OUT
Location - The Fisherrow Centre, Musselburgh
Thursday 29th February
6pm
Join us for an evening of citizen science in Musselburgh and find out more about Restoration Forth!
November
100 SPECIES EXHIBITION
Location - Scottish Seabird Centre, North Berwick
13th October 2023 - 15th January 2024
The Firth of Forth is teeming with life. From tiny microscopic bacteria to majestic whales, life thrives on our coast and beneath the waves. The 100 species exhibition celebrates the vast biodiversity of the Firth of Forth.
Restoration Forth is a major marine restoration programme working with communities to restore seagrass habitats and native oyster populations in the Firth of Forth. The goal is to start restoring biodiversity, and forge new connections between local communities and the sea.
The 100 Species project and exhibition aims to show that Restoration Forth is not just putting back two key species in a vacuum. It’s about creating and maintaining a better habitat for the hundreds of important, diverse species that live in the Forth and making people aware of the incredible creatures our coast supports.
100 of these species, were selected by local people who learned about them and went on to create beautiful, impactful interpretations of those animals which the Scottish Seabird Centre are delighted to exhibit in their boat office space over the winter.
October
NATIVE OYSTER CELEBRATION DAY!
21st October 2023 11am - 3pm
Heart of Newhaven Community
Over the next few months, for the first time in 100 years native oysters will be returning to the Firth of Forth, thanks to lots of hard work from community hubs, volunteers and partner organisations.
The Heart of Newhaven is hosting a family friendly day of fun to celebrate the return of oysters to the area:
Find out about the Restoration Forth project and biodiversity in the Firth of Forth.
- Take part in marine-themed craft activities.
- Listen to a performance by the Newhaven Community Choir.
- Come along to an oyster-themed workshop or short talk (these activities are ticketed and will be released separately on Eventbrite shortly.)
All children must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
Restoration Forth Restoration Forth is a Firth of Forth based conservation project aiming to re-introduce 30,000 native oysters and restore 4 hectares of seagrass meadows to the local area.
Come and celebrate oyster’s past, present and future in the Forth!
SOLD OUT
SEINE NETTING AT WARDIE BAY
14th October 2023 - 2pm - 4pm
Meeting point: Wardie Bay Beach
Please wear appropriate outdoor clothing and footwear for a mix of sandy and very muddy beach conditions. It can be very exposed at Wardie depending on wind direction so don’t forget to bring extra layers.
100 SPECIES EXHIBITION
Location - Scottish Seabird Centre, North Berwick
13th October 2023 - 15th January 2024
Restoration Forth is a community led project to restore seagrass meadows and native oysters in the Firth of Forth. To compliment this, the 100 species project aims to show that this project is not just about putting back these two key species, but instead is creating a better habitat for the hundreds of important species that live in the Forth.
We have been learning through creating and are delighted to share the stunning pieces local people have created, along with heartfelt, impactful messages about our local marine space.
COME AND MEET OUR 100 SPECIES!
You may visit for free anytime during their opening hours.
100 SPECIES PHOTOGRAPH GALLERY DISPLAY
Location - The Atrium within the Heart of Newhaven
You may visit anytime during their opening hours, the best times being Wednesdays and Saturdays between 9am-12pm during their open sessions. This preview won’t have any of the team present, but we believe the photographs and words speak for themselves and will encourage people to visit our full exhibitions.
September
100 SPECIES EXHIBITION
Location: The Heart of Newhaven Anchor Building - Room 2
Dates:
17th September - 10:30am until 5pm
18th, 19th, 20th, 21st and 22nd of September: 1pm until 5pm
23rd of September: 10:30am until 5pm
24th of September: 10:30am until 1pm
You can find us the Heart of Newhaven Anchor Building – Room 2. Entry is through a separate Anchor building door and will be well signposted.
We are family friendly and have a fantastic activity corner with 100 Species jenga, snakes and ladders, colouring and more!
It would be great to meet those of you who can come along, enjoy the stunning things made by local people, and appreciate the impactful messages coming from such creativity. This exhibition will have someone on hand for a chat and to answer any questions.
RESTORATION FORTH NATIVE OYSTER BIOSECURITY
Heriot-Watt University Campus
We are delighted to invite you to join us in preparation of the second batch of native oysters to be reintroduced to the Firth of Forth as part of the Restoration Forth project.
The oysters will have previously been collected by the team from Little Loch Broom near Ullapool, and have undergone the first stages of the biosecurity process. We are inviting you to get involved in the final stages of the biosecurity process. By getting involved you will gain practical training in the processes of biosecurity necessary for the movement of native oysters into a restoration site.
This event is suitable for over 18’s only and not recommended for anyone with a shellfish allergy or repetitive strain injury- please see the important information at the end and get in touch if you have any questions.
100 Species Creative Project
Photograph Gallery Exhibition
Location - The Atrium within the Heart of Newhaven
You may visit anytime during their opening hours, the best times being Wednesdays and Saturdays between 9am-12pm during their open sessions. This preview won’t have any of the team present, but we believe the photographs and words speak for themselves and will encourage people to visit when we open the full exhibition.
August
Seagrass at Dalmeny
20th August 2023 - 10am
Meeting point: East side of Eagle Rock
Come and join us on the beach at Dalmeny to learn about seagrass and to meet Dr Richard Lilley – Co-founder of Project Seagrass (https://www.projectseagrass.org/).
RJ as he is known worked at the Sustainable Places Research Institute focussing on Caribbean and Mediterranean seagrass meadows and is now based in Edinburgh and works to improve knowledge and understanding of seagrass ecosystems.
Project Seagrass is part of the Restoration Forth project (https://www.wwf.org.uk/scotland/restoration-forth ).
We will give a short presentation on the restoration of seagrass and oysters in the Firth of Forth.
We’ll take a look at the dwarf seagrass (Zostera noltii) growing at Drum Sands and explore the recently seeded larger Zostera marina trials. The aim at this site is to expand the seagrass meadows on the intertidal mudflats to benefit biodiversity and capture sediment.
There will also be a demo of the Seagrass Spotter app – https://seagrassspotter.org/ which you could download before the event. We look forward to meeting you all on the beach.
Meeting time: 10.00 am
Meeting point here: East side of Eagle Rock – https://goo.gl/maps/kBmH18fYwNhUJ6H69
It is possible to cycle or walk to the meeting point either from Crammond Brig or South Queensferry both of which have suitable parking. The walk from parking to our site takes approximately 20 minutes.
Please wear appropriate outdoor clothing and footwear for a mix of sandy and very muddy beach conditions. It can be very exposed at Dalmeny depending on wind direction so don’t forget to bring extra layers.
July
100 Species Creative Project
Now closed for creations - Exhibition dates coming soon
Following on from our very successful Forthline Project, and to compliment the Restoration Forth Project, we are delighted to introduce our new 100 Species Project.
As part of this ambitious project we are offering you the chance to respond creatively to one of the many species that lives (or lived) in and around the Firth of Forth and help raise awareness about its importance.
Citizen Science Apps
Seagrass Spotter
iNaturalist
Find out what's on at your nearest hub
