This is done primarily through the ranger service, with the assistance of other council teams such as Task Force and Forestry Unit.

There is a wide range of flora and fauna within a green belt area of Edinburgh, making it an important target for conservation.

[1] The Braid Burn is the principal watercourse, flowing for some 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) through the nature reserve.

It is a small river, typically around 5 metres (16 ft) wide by 20 centimetres (7.9 in) deep, although subject to significant variation.

At this location it is approximately half way along its 32 kilometres (20 mi) course from a spring in the Pentland Hills, to its mouth at Portobello.

[4] Its name came from the distinctly steep gradient of the slope making it challenging to climb up, especially in wet weather.