Gorgie Farm: families celebrate as farm re-opens doors under new name

Families flooded through the gates of Gorgie farm today as it opened under new ownership.

Families flooded through the gates of Gorgie farm today as it opened under new ownership.

The popular location, formerly known as Gorgie City Farm, went into liquidation in November last year.

But in January education and social care charity Love Learning took over the farm and renamed it Love Gorgie Farm.

Families celebrate as Gorgie Farm opens its doors under new name picture: JPI Media

It re-opened today for the first time since closing down three months ago.

Families fed the animals on the farm including pigs, goats and sheep, and took the newly-arrived alpacas out for a stroll.

Depute Lord Provost, Cllr Joan Griffiths, joined local celebrities including radio presenter Grant Stott, Hearts CEO Ann Budge and Hibs footballer Ryan Porteous, as well as Edinburgh and Scotland rugby players, politicians and council representatives in the celebrations.

Thanks to hundreds of volunteers in the last few weeks, the farm has opened earlier than expected.

Lynn Bell, chief executive of LOVE Learning said: “We are incredibly excited to be opening LOVE Gorgie Farm much earlier than we anticipated, would like to thank those who came today and look forward to welcoming many more visitors through our doors.

“I would like to thank the hundreds of volunteers who have given up their valuable time to help get the farm up and running earlier than anticipated. We could not have done it without their crucial role.

“Not only will the farm remain open seven days a week and remain free, but we will provide a range of exciting education, environmental and social care programmes supporting vulnerable individuals.”

Families could also enjoy a range of other activities throughout the day including face-painting, henna tattoos, tombola, live music and a photo booth.

Depute Lord Provost, Cllr Joan Griffiths, said: “I was delighted to attend the opening and see the fantastic work that is going on, including a range of environmental and educational programmes. As a Council we look forward to working in partnership with LOVE Gorgie Farm going forward.”

Ann Budge, owner of Heart of Midlothian Football Club which has worked closely with the farm over the years said: “We are delighted to see the farm reopening as LOVE Gorgie Farm and look forward to establishing a positive relationship with LOVE Learning as the new operators. Like Hearts, the farm is at the very heart of the local community and we look forward to working with them.”

Sandy McCall Smith, author of the No. 1 Detective Agency and 44 Scotland Street books, among others, said he is pleased to see the farm has been saved since going into liquidation given its importance to the local community.

He added: “It brings animals and the countryside into the lives of so many children, young people and adults, who might otherwise feel cut off from such things. Put simply, LOVE Gorgie Farm does a great deal of good.”