Gorgie Farm: Animals Move Out Of Urban Farm As It Closes Doors

One of Scotland's last urban farms has been closed to the public and its animals are being moved to local zoos and farms.

Love Gorgie Farm, which provides volunteering opportunities for disadvantaged young people and adults, will hand over the keys next month.

Edinburgh Zoo is in talks to take over Five Sisters Zoo in West Lothian and East Lynx Family Park in Dunbar.

All three sites charge an entrance fee. Gorgin's farm has always been free.

It is unclear whether the new owner will charge an entrance fee to Gorgan's farm.

Love Learning, the charity that runs the farm, said it has been hit by restrictions due to the pandemic, cost of living and lack of funds.

He used a three-year release clause to end his five-year tenure with Edinburgh City Council early.

The team leaves on Wednesday, a day after the animals.

The charity's chief executive, Lynne Bell, told BBC Scotland the keys would be returned to the council on February 2.

"We thought the council would give us an interim fund to hold the farm until new owners were found," he said.

“But our meeting with them last week started with them saying we were breaking our contract and they were forcing us to stay open.

“We said this would bring us management responsibility. They asked us to stay open for another two months, but we will be returning the keys on February 2 as it is 40 days notice.”

He added that although the farm had been a working farm for animals raised for slaughter until it was handed over three years ago, no animals had been killed.

He said they run the farm as a therapy farm for underprivileged people to care for the animals.

He said some of the named animals will return to the farm as soon as their new owners arrive.

Three alpacas have been sent to a farm in Ayrshire. All the reptiles belonged to the crew, so they were taken home.

Pigs go to Five Sisters Zoo and sheep and goats go to East Links Family Park.

Meanwhile, a community group has formed to try to save the farm.

The Save Gorky Farm Forever campaign was organized by the people of Gorky and Edinburgh.

Its vice-president, Simon Medcalf, said: “I cannot overstate how important the carpet farm is to so many people in the community.

“Although we have already worked extensively with Edinburgh City Council on this issue, it would be great if we could see the same level of support from the Scottish Government.

“It is important to remember that Gorky Farm is a treasure not just for Edinburgh, but for much of central Scotland.”

The farm had already been canceled in November 2019.

Crowdfunding raised £100,000 and Love Learning reopened in 2020.

But Ms Bell said the 40-year-old farm did not receive the £100,000 council grant it receives every year.

Council leader Cammy Day said: "It's disappointing to see it close on Monday, but we're very keen to develop exciting new plans for the farm and ensure it remains an important part of the community. local."

“We have had positive meetings with various organizations and will continue discussions this week to find a solution that will secure the future of Gorg Farm in the coming days.

Love Learning said electricity bills for the three-hectare farm have gone from £17,000 in 18 months to £27,000 in just eight months.

The farm has 50 cattle and 50 domestic animals, including sheep, pigs, ducks, geese and chickens, as well as various small animals such as snakes and lizards.

The farm employs 30 people and many volunteers. There are also assignments on the site.