EDINBURGH’S famous Gorgie Farm has ushered in the new year with a call for volunteers and an announcement that it will partially reopen in the spring.
The team behind the Gorgie Community Farm have previously said that farm will see a “phased reopening” over the coming year.
They are now attempting to increase the level of engagement with the wider community as well as attract more volunteer manpower ahead of a planned reopening of the garden in the spring.
Only the new community garden section will be reopened, however, with large parts of the farm still in disrepair.
Volunteers survey the site and work on the restoration of Gorgie Farm into a newly constituted community and charity hub (C) Gorgie Community Farm
The urban farm, which used to be known as LOVE Gorgie Farm, and was a much-loved institution in Gorgie, closed in January 2023 due to financial difficulties and a lack of funding.
The site was abandoned for some time following this, but the new group, known as Gorgie Community farm won the bid to take over the lease in 2024.
Work was not allowed to commence, however, until the lease was finalised midway through 2025.
Since then, work has progressed rapidly with help from local businesses and volunteers.
With help from Denton’s Lawyers and Lloyd’s Bank, they shifted weeds from cobbles and removed the old greenhouse.
Mark Millar Landscapes and R&B Nurseries helped to repair the old and broken polytunnel ready for the spring growing season.
The only funding that the farm has so far received is from the National Lottery Community Trust.
Eventually, the site’s new operators plan to convert parts of the farm into community-oriented areas and smaller allotments.
Alongside the site’s agriculture, they will host workshops, seasonal events, and partnerships with local groups.
They have so far partnered with two local charities and two local independent businesses.
The first charity is Next Steps, a community hub for young people with additional support needs, and the second is The Forge, a community workshop which allows members to develop new skills and engage with a creative like-minded community.
Edinburgh-based herbalists, Napiers, and local insect cuisine innovators, The Insect Cafe, have also been brought on as on-site collaborators.
Gorgie Community farm posted an update to social media, saying that the “rejuvenated community gardens” will be “ready for Spring”.
They continued: “A very happy New Year from GCF to all the wonderful friends of the farm.
“The last few months have seen so many amazing people support us and the site in a variety of ways, all of which are hugely appreciated – but 2026 is only going to get better.
“As the community and the gardens grow, there’s so much opportunity to be a part of GCF, so get in touch or come visit us to get stuck in.”
In the same post, the farm announced a revamped new website and detailed their January volunteering schedule.
Locals are encouraged to drop by from 10am-3pm on Tuesday 13, Thursday 15, Tuesday 20, Thursday 22, Tuesday 27, and Thursday 29 of January, and from 11am-3pm on Saturday 24 January.
In the longer-term, the farm has also teased the possibility of a cafe and children’s play area.
The animals will likely take much longer to return, due to the high costs involved.
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