Mary Somerville

 Edinburgh Women in STEM  No Responses »
Feb 282024
 

53 Northumberland Street, Edinburgh, EH3 6JQ

A two-storey sandstone rowhouse with 5 windows, a white front door, and a small plaque to the left of the front door.

Mary Somerville (1780 – 1872) was a Scottish mathematician and astronomer, and one of the first two women to become an Honorary Member of the Royal Astronomical Society, alongside Caroline Herschel. She was one of the first to suggest the existence of Neptune, and she famously tutored Ada Lovelace, who became the “mother of modern computing”. Somerville wrote many successful journal articles and books in her lifetime, one of which, On the Connexion of the Physical Sciences, was its publisher’s most successful science book until Darwin’s On the Origin of Species. Somerville was the first person to ever be referred to as “scientist”, and her extensive contributions to academia are commemorated by this plaque, at the house where she lived in Edinburgh.

A black plaque with decorative gold knotted borders reading: Mary Fairfax Somerville, 1780-1872, “The queen of 19th century science, astronomer, scientist and polymath, lived here.”
Portrait painting of a dark-haired woman with her hair up in a 1700s style, wearing a dark blue gown with a white ruff and a brown fur stole.
A row of antique book spines with the author Somerville and the following titles: Mechanism of the Heavens, On Molecular and Microscopic Science, Physical Geography, On the Connexions of the Physical Sciences, and Personal Recollections.

Book titles written by Somerville. Books image via Canva, remixed with titles.

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Flora Philip

 Edinburgh Women in STEM  No Responses »
Feb 282024
 

63 Dean Path, Dean Cemetary, Edinburgh, EH4 3AT

A path with a row of old tombstones and autumn leaves on the grass.

Flora Philip (1865 – 1943) was a mathematician and one of the first women to graduate from the University of Edinburgh. When she began her studies, the law prohibited women from studying at Scottish universities, so she enrolled with the Edinburgh Association for the University Education of Women instead. This was an organisation campaigning for higher education for women, offering its own classes delivered by lecturers from Edinburgh University. Upon the passing of the Universities (Scotland) Act in 1889, which allowed women to attend university, Philip was matriculated at the University of Edinburgh and received her degree for her previous studies. She was the first female member of the Edinburgh Mathematical Society and was admitted to the prestigious organisation before she even received her degree. Philip is buried at this cemetery, alongside her husband George Stewart and their children.

A black and white photo (circa 1945) of an elderly woman wearing a dark graduation cap and gown
A large grey tombstone with a square knot carving at the top. The stone is for George Stewart (1865-1938) and his beloved wife Flora Philip, M.A. (14th August 1945) and additional members of their family. Satellite view screenshot of Google Maps Dean Cemetery showing the location of the lower cemetery and the headstone.

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Isobel Hutchison

 Edinburgh Women in STEM, Uncategorized  No Responses »
Feb 282024
 

Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, John Hope Gateway Visitor Centre, Arboretum Place, EH3 5NZ

Botanic garden glass greenhouses with a domed glass building in the background and red azaleas (flowers) in the foreground.

Isobel Wylie Hutchison (1889 – 1982) was a Scottish Arctic traveller, botanist and polyglot. She was a prolific writer and published many books and articles about her travels. Hutchison also recorded film footage of her travels, some of the oldest documentary footage existing today. Her papers were gifted to the National Library of Scotland, and many of the plants she collected on her travels can be found here, at the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh. Hutchison was the first woman to receive the Mungo Park Medal from the Royal Scottish Geographical Society, and in 1949, the University of St Andrews awarded her an honorary degree, recognising her contributions to research and her “indomitable spirit”.

Two portraits of a dark-haired woman, the first dressed in traditional Arctic clothing (late 1920s). The second portrait features the same woman dressed in a dark jumper and wool skirt, sitting on the stone edge of a fountain or pond and petting a Dalmatian dog.
A table with several pressed plant specimens and a watercolour book open to a painting of a tundra-like landscape.
A small stone castle with a walled garden, blooming flowers, and blue skies.

Note: If you wish to view the specimens Hutchison donated to the Botanic Garden, a visit to the Herbarium must be scheduled in advance.

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Cramond Shore 

 Birds  No Responses »
Feb 212024
 

Cramond Beach, Cramond, Edinburgh EH4 6NU 

Shoreline with green foliage on the left, multiple people walking on tan, rocky sand, and a protruding dock going far into the water.
Cramond Beach
©Graeme Yull, Geograph

The Cramond Shore, up until the Silverknowes Beach, is a great place to observe many waders during low tide, and even occasionally Common Shelducks. During high tide, it is also interesting to witness some winter visitors like the Red-throated Diver.

A white, tan, and black duck with a dark head and bright red beak.
A Common Shelduck
©Dick Daniels, Wikimedia Commons
A grey, brown, and orange bird alongside a brown baby bird.
A Red-throated Diver with chick
©David Karnå, Wikimedia Commons

Sources:

Individual Researcher Walk; RSPB (Edinburgh Area Local Group)

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River Almond Walkway

 Birds  No Responses »
Feb 212024
 

Cramond Brig, Cramond, Edinburgh EH4 6DX

Bridge over water with a white building on the right and trees throughout.
The Cramond Brig over the River Almond
©M.J. Richardson, Wikimedia Commons

The River Almond Walkway follows the shores of the River Almond from Cramond Village. It is a great place to observe ducks, grebes and, in particular, the Dipper, a small river bird known to enjoy bathing and jumping in the water. The river is also a fishing ground for the Kingfisher. Also pay attention to bigger birds on the river such as Mallards, Goosanders and Mergansers. The river itself is not the only bird habitat; be sure to look up to see many Passerines in the trees, as well as Woodpeckers.

The starting point of the walk is here the Cramond Brig, a historic bridge built between the late 14th and early 15th Century, up to the seashore. Please note that not all stops are close to Edinburgh city centre and so do take this into account when planning to do the tour. There are good public transport links, e.g. bus to Cramond, bus or train towards North Berwick. The Isle of May and Bass Rock can be visited via the Seabird Centre (please book in advance as often sold out) or via organised tours from Anstruther in Fife. 

Small brown and white bird with an insect in its mouth.
A Dipper
©Walter Baxter, Geograph

Sources:

Wikipedia; Individual Researcher Walk

Cramond Island 

 Birds  No Responses »
Feb 212024
 

Cramond Island, Cramond, Edinburgh EH4 6NU 

Green island surrounded by blue-grey water.
Cramond Island
©Mtcy, Wikimedia Commons

Cramond Island is one of many along the Firth of Forth; it can be reached on low tide following a bridge, the Cramond Causeway. The island houses many old fortifications from the WW2 era, and it is also a great place to observe coastal birds and seabirds crossing the Firth of Forth, such as the Eider duck. Particularly during low tide, many waders, such as the Oystercatcher, the Dunlin or the Redshank, can be seen stirring sandy mud looking for seaweed, small invertebrate, and shells.  

Black and white duck with a yellow beak in water.
A male Eider duck in winter plumage
©Magnus Hagdorn, Wikimedia Commons

Sources:

Individual Researcher Walk; RSPB (Edinburgh Area Local Group)

National Museum of Scotland 

 Birds  No Responses »
Feb 212024
 

Chambers St, Edinburgh EH1 1JF 

Modern sandstone building on a busy street corner under a blue sky.
The National Museum of Scotland
Wikimedia Commons

The National Museum of Scotland hosts a collection of birds donated by two of Scotland’s pioneering ornithologists, Evelyn V. Baxter (1879-1959) and Leonora J. Rintoul (1878-1953). Many birds in the collection come from research and observations around Edinburgh and the Fife coast, with some sites located within this tour such as the Isle of May. Collecting bird specimens was essential in the mid-18th to mid-20th to advance knowledge on avian diversity and differentiate one species of bird from another. Today the collection of around 1,200 bird skins donated to the museum by Baxter and Rintoul is still used for comparative studies.

Black and white photo of a woman with short hair wearing a plaid blazer and jewelry.
Dr. Evelyn Baxter
©Scottish Orinthologists’ Club, National Museum of Scotland
Black and white photo of a woman with short hair wearing a striped blazer and a brooch.
Dr. Leonora Rintoul
©Scottish Orinthologists’ Club, National Museum of Scotland

The two ornithologists are considered pioneers in Scotland as they were honorary members of the British Ornithological Union (BOU), founding members of the Scottish Ornithologists’ Club in 1948, novel researchers on the migration of birds, and publishers of a book still considered today as a reference: The Birds of Scotland, their History, Distribution and Migration (1953). 

Brown bird specimen sample laying on its back identified with tan, handwritten tags.
A bird from the Baxter and Rintoul collection at the National Museum of Scotland
©National Museum of Scotland

Sources:

National Museum of Scotland Website; The Scottish Ornithologists’ Club Website; Scottish Seabird Centre (‘Celebrating Women in Science’)

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Duddingston Loch 

 Birds  No Responses »
Feb 212024
 

15 Old Church Lane, Duddingston, Edinburgh EH15 3PX 

Hill covered in green and orange foliage next to green loch waters.
Duddingston Loch
©Anne Burgess, Geograph

Located on the southern side of Holyrood Park, in the heart of Edinburgh, the Duddingston Loch is a great place to have a close encounter with several species of ducks and geese, and perhaps even spot some wintering migrants like the Great Northern Diver. It has been a Scottish Wildlife Trust bird sanctuary since 1925 and is home to breeding species of ducks such as the Canada goose, Pink-footed Goose, Mute Swan, Tufted Duck, Common Goldeneye, Great Crested Grebe, or passerines such as Reed Bunting or Willow Warbler.

Profile photo of a tall white, grey, and blue bird with a yellow beak and eye standing in grass.
A Grey Heron
©David Dixon, Geograph

Of particular note, the western end of the loch is the largest heronry in the Lothians. The Northern shore of the loch, accessible from the car park west of Duddingston Village, is the perfect place for a close encounter with the groups of ducks, geese, and swans breeding around the loch.

Profile photo of the head of a dark brown goose with a pink beak amidst lily pads.
A Pink-footed Goose
©Iwolfartist, Wikimedia Commons

Sources:

Individual Researcher Walk; RSPB (Edinburgh Area Local Group); Scottish Wildlife Trust

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Bird Nest Box in Abbeyhill 

 Birds  No Responses »
Feb 212024
 

57 Abbeyhill, Edinburgh EH8 8DZ 

Profile photo of a tan, black, and white bird, with red on the face and yellow on the wing, perched on a branch.
A European Goldfinch
©Francis C. Franklin, Wikimedia Commons

Just in front of the Holyrood Palace gardens, this nest box is among many in Edinburgh and may be easily missed as you walk to the nearby Holyrood Palace or Scottish Parliament. But take a break on your walk and take note! This is a great place to witness some garden birds such as the European goldfinch, the Bullfinch, the Robin, the Chaffinch or the Blue Tit. As you walk in Edinburgh, try to spot some of these garden birds. 

Profile photo of a navy and light blue bird with a salmon colored chest perched on a branch.
A male Bullfinch
©Francis C. Franklin, Wikimedia Commons

Sources:

Individual Researcher Walk

Hermitage of Braid and Blackford Hill 

 Birds  No Responses »
Feb 212024
 

Hermitage of Braid, Edinburgh EH9 3HJ 

Green hill with a path to a tall cement structure under a cloudy blue sky, with city views in the background.
The top of Blackford Hill
©Richard Webb, Geograph

The Hermitage of Braid and Blackford Hill Nature Reserve offers some characteristic birdwatching of the woodlands. You can try spotting birds flying from tree to tree, but the easier option is to carefully listen for the birds singing. Often, their songs are a way to signal and mark their territory or to call their partner. You can train your bird song ID skills with online resources such as the RSPB website but you can also you the Merlin Bird ID App, developed by the Cornell Lab for Ornithology.

A profile photo of a small chartreuse bird with black eyes perched on a branch against a blue sky.
A Greenfinch
©Charles J. Sharp, Wikimedia Commons

The woodlands of the reserve are home not only to passerines such as Tits, the Bullfinch, the Greenfinch, the Goldfinch, the Nuthatch, and the Goldcrest, but also birds of prey like the Sparrowhawk, Owls, Kestrels, and Buzzards. By the Blackford Pond, you may spot some swans, ducks, and gulls.

Sources:

Individual Researcher Walk; RSPB (Edinburgh Area Local Group); Friends of the Hermitage of Braid and Blackford Hill Local Nature Reserve

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