Take a poetic riverside stroll before your Burns Supper and help to remove litter from Musselburgh’s waterways as part of Keep Scotland Beautiful's 'Upstream Battle' campaign.
Join us in this collaborative effort between Keep Scotland Beautiful (KSB), the Scottish Seabird Centre (SSC), the Scottish Coastal Cleanup (SCCU) and the Forth Rivers Trust (FRT). On this “Day of Action”, our different charities will be spread out along the River Esk , leading cleanup events from the Esk's mouth in Musselburgh to its winding upper reaches and tributaries such as Loan Burn in Penicuik.
This event is for Fisherrow Sands in Musselburgh.
You can also...
- Join the FRT at Loan Burn in Penicuik: sign up here!
- Join the SSC and SCCU at Eskmills, Musselburgh: sign up here!
80% of marine litter is derived from land-based sources. Help us tackle the litter emergency by participating in this litterpick and litter survey for KSB's Upstream Battle campaign. It will involve removing, identifying and recording the litter we find over 100m along the river's mouth.
The results will contribute to KSB’s national dataset, which is used to campaign for cleaner oceans and to increase understanding about marine pollution and habitats.
Friendly, quiet dogs are welcome, but we ask they are kept on a short lead throughout.
Route
This event will concentrate on the mouth of the River Esk in Musselburgh, where it joins the sea at Fisherrow Sands. It will begin and end at Mountjoy Car Park.
Mountjoy Terrace, Mountjoy Ct, Musselburgh, EH21 6JB
What3Words: ///pest.ally.from
What will we provide?
Shortbread snacks! We'll also provide the cleanup kit, including gloves, alcohol hand gel, bin bags and pickers (for those who want them). The group leader will carry a large, waterproof backpack to carry additional debris. A health and safety briefing will take place before heading onto the shore.
What do you need to bring?
Walking boots or shoes with good grip, clothing appropriate for the weather outside, a drink and food as required, any medication you may need, a mobile phone, sun protection (good weather days).
Accessibility
We will be on the move for around 2 hours during this cleanup, and the route may include some gentle slopes and potentially uneven, rocky or slippery ground. We will always try to adjust the pace and the route to make sure that everyone is comfortable, but please let us know in advance if you have questions or concerns about the distance or the route. You can direct queries to conservationprojects@seabird.org.
Various bus services are available from the directions of Edinburgh, Haddington and North Berwick. The nearest bus stop is at Brunton Theatre.
There is also a train station in Musselburgh. From here you can walk or catch buses to Brunton Theatre or Fisherrow harbour.
There is free parking at Fisherrow Harbour. Alternatively, there is limited parking at MountJoy Car Park (What3Words: ///pest.ally.from) for people who may struggle to make the walk from the Harbour.
Public toilets are available at Fisherrow Harbour.
We are sorry that this site is inaccessible to wheelchair users and pushchairs, as we are currently unable to provide Beach Wheelchairs at this location. However, should you require wheelchair access and wish to get involved in other beach cleanup events, check out our upcoming events at North Berwick, where we are delighted to provide wheelchair access to its beaches thanks to the incredible work of the team at Beach Wheelchairs.
Keeping everyone safe
Our group leader is a trained first aider and will be carrying a first aid kit and mobile phone. A copy of the risk assessment for the walk will be available to view before/during the event.
What if the event is cancelled?
If this event is cancelled due to poor weather conditions or other circumstances, we will get in touch with you the day before to let you know.
