For those familiar, or not, with the Edinburgh campus, I wanted to share the beauty of the campus that is waiting for our return in this week’s blog. We are so very fortunate across the University that our places of work are in rather special locations. I feel a strong affinity for all of them. For those who are slowly returning to the Malaysia campus, we have heard stories of the appreciation of colleagues of its beauty, both its design and position, and the sense of belonging this generates. Similarly, at Riccarton, the campus holds a special allure. Beyond the loch and wonderful formal gardens and walks, in the centre of the campus lies the circumferential path. It is used by walkers, joggers, cyclists and horses and, in past weeks, has been much appreciated by the local community. I would like to thank all our Estates Team who care for our campuses for their hard work and dedication, and for continuing to provide us with such wonderful workplaces.
I have the opportunity to walk around the Riccarton campus often, for which I am very grateful. The spectacular bluebell season is now over and as July clocks round, the excitement for me and Jane lies in spotting the wild orchids. This is a truly bounteous year as there are very many on the west-side woods. The heath spotted orchid, Dactylorhiza maculate, is the most common (picture above) but there are others of a rarer nature. I understand that there are 52 species of native British orchid and some 28,000 species globally. The purply-pink pyramidal orchids can sometimes be spotted on the roadside and roundabouts that have been left as wild habitat, and the recent pandemic means you have a better chance to see such plants as our verges have remained untended in recent weeks.
I took a damp walk around the campus this week and if locations are not known to you, I would encourage a walk at some future point, when life allows us to safely return. You can also download guides to the trees and walks here.
My photo trail, here, starts at the listed north gate cottage at the end of Hermiston Walk, heads east then south across the main gate, following the path round across the south side and then down the west side to return back to the north gate. Oh yes, in the snaps it’s hard to take photographs without Maisie and Darcie, our two miniature schnauzers, getting in on the act.
Whilst very beautiful, the campus feels rather quiet without everyone here. So, we will continue to stay connected through all the usual channels. I hope as many of you as possible will be able to join the All Staff Executive Briefing on Thursday 23 July, from 12-1pm. As a Teams Live event, interaction is more limited than I would prefer but necessary to ensure we can have as many people joining as possible. There will be the option to submit questions on the day, and we will answer as many as we can. The rest we will answer in the days after. As a reminder, a recording (with sign language) will also be available for those who cannot attend. As always, your feedback is important and welcomed.
With best wishes
Professor Richard A. Williams
Principal and Vice-Chancellor