PentlandBeacon Bi-annual newsletter of the Pentland Hills Regional Park / Issue 43 Spring / Summer 2015

MOORLANDS and the RED GROUSE

In this issue harlaw hydro lambing season pentland path survey Contentspage

3 4 5-6 7-8 9 Pentland Hill’s Regional Bonaly woodland planting Pentland Inspirations Moorlands and the Red Harlaw Hydro Park Donation Scheme Grouse

10 -11 12-13 14-15 16 17-18 Lambing season Moorland calling More wildlife? Pentland path survey Sites of Special Scientific Interest

19-23 24 25 26 Area reports Conserving, protecting Booking and drop in Contacts and enhancing events

pentland beacon page 2 Pentland Hills Regional Park Donation Scheme

The Pentland Hills Regional The staff that manage the There is always more to do than Completed projects: Park covers an area of 10,000 Regional Park carry out a large resources allow. This is where the hectares with over 100km (62 number of projects in order to Donations Scheme can help. • Upgrading of steps leading miles) of paths. increase the visitor’s enjoyment. into Bonaly Country Park from These include: The Donations Scheme is a Torduff Reservoir (2012). Approximately 500,000 people simple way for people to put • A new recycled plastic seat for enjoy recreation in the park every • path construction and something back into the Regional the Flotterstone Glen (2011). year; walking, cycling, horse maintenance Park. The scheme allows people • 500 copies of the ‘Horse Riding riding and fishing to name but a • signage and waymarking to make a general donation for in the Pentland Hills Regional few of the recreational activities. • installation of access gates environmental improvements in Park’ leaflet (2010). • habitat improvements for the Park. wildlife For more information and to • improvement of facilities All funds raised are used only for donate visit the Regional Parks at visitor centres and other new ‘added value’ projects on the website: www.pentlandhills.org popular sites. ground and not for the day to day running of the service.

pentland beacon page 3 Bonaly Woodland Planting ince the last update in other resources whilst they and the top of White Hill Wood resulted in the deterioration of Beacon 42, a lot has become established. The ground has been tackled in a different some of the existing path surfaces. S happened on the lower was then mounded with an way. The area here is larger and Following the completion of the slopes around Bonaly Country excavator to produce a raised, also visible from much further planting phase of the works these Park. At the time of writing, the vegetation free spot, on which the afield. For these reasons it was issues will be rectified. last of some 20,000 trees are planting then took place. As these more appropriate to enclose being planted in the Park which two areas are relatively small, the planting area within a rabbit I’m sure all will agree that the hard will see the completion of the the most cost effective way to and deer-proof fence and not work has been worth the effort project. prevent deer browsing the trees use individual guards to protect as we watch the trees become was to protect them with plastic the trees. Competing vegetation established and flourish over The actual work on the ground tree tubes, once the trees grow will be controlled for the first few the coming years. began in mid-September with out of the tubes their crowns will years by spot treating each tree gorse clearance in the two smaller be above the height that roe deer with an application of herbicide. Martin Duncan planting areas which lie below can easily reach to browse. Natural Heritage Officer Torduff Hill. By removing the The old adage of you can’t make gorse the trees will experience The majority of the slope lying an omelette without breaking less competition for light and between Bonaly Scout Camp eggs applies as much to this as any other large project. Transporting the materials required to construct nearly 2km of fence into position on site

pentland beacon page 4 Art and Photographic Competition 2014 Winners Best Landscape and Overall Competition Winner Best Art Best Biodiversity Best Activity Photograph

Dave Henniker ‘Pentland Paragliders’

Stuart Macfarlane Patricia Daly Mike Clarke ‘On a Cold and Frosty Morning’ ‘Braidburn Valley’ ‘Verginia Web’

The sixth Pentland Inspirations The 2014 competition saw 79 The four categories were: The ceremony was held at Art & Photographic Competition photographs and five paintings Swanston Brasserie, with award ceremony took place being entered. The judges Best Landscape and Overall Councillor Bill Henderson giving in late November where this found the entries this year to be Competition Winner out the awards. year’s winners were announced. inspiring, thought provoking and Best Art technically excellent. Best Activity Photograph Best Biodiversity

pentland beacon page 5 Art and Photographic Competition 2014 Commended Commended Landscape Commended Activity Photograph Commended Biodiversity Commended Art

Steve Chambers Benjamin Panulo David Newton James Haggart ‘Boats on North Esk Reservoir’ ‘Amira 2’ ‘Fungi’ ‘Swanston Conservation Area’

We would like to thank our two As with the previous competitions, The exhibition started in Enjoy viewing the exhibition and sponsors; Mount Parnassus the entries have formed an December at Harlaw House hopefully if you haven’t entered Picture Framing who gave all inspiring exhibition that is on tour Visitor Centre and will finish in this time, the entries will inspire entrants a 15% discount on at venues across Edinburgh, the West Lothian in May. Full details you to enter in 2016! picture frames and Cicerone Lothian’s and South Lanarkshire, are available on the Pentland Publishing who provided the with viewing of the exhibition free Hills Regional Park website Paula Newton Pentland Hills guide book as a of charge at all venues. www.pentlandhills.org Natural Heritage Officer prize for the winners.

pentland beacon page 6 Moorlands and the Red Grouse

oorlands are upland areas with acidic, low nutrient and water logged soils. These peaty, Mericaceous soils are low in oxygen and offer perfect conditions for heather to grow vigorously and dominate the Regional Park landscape. The three main varieties of heather that can be found in the Pentland Hills are Ling (Calluna vulgaris), Cross- leaved heath (Erica tetralix) and bell heather (Erica onerea).

Moorlands are highly managed landscapes. Through autumn to early spring planned burning occurs, known as Muirburn, by land managers to encourage new growth, creating a mosaic of aged heather for ground cover, ground nesting sites and to provide a food source. The vigour of the heather is achieved by this controlled burning, if left unmanaged heather can become leggy, thin and lack nutritional

pentland beacon page 7 value for red grouse that use it as Swathes of heather moorland Shooting season for grouse When visiting the Park, you can a food source. Careful burning provide a very specific habitat begins 12 August annually and play your part in helping maintain is required to ensure fires don’t for a variety of mammals, ground ends early December. Local a healthy moorland; demonstrate burn too long or fiercely as this nesting birds and insects. A grouse populations are managed responsible access when out can damage heather and the primary species in moorlands is and maintained for healthy walking, cycling, horse riding or seeds as well as setting fire to red grouse (Lagopus lagopus), breeding stock in future years to dog walking, by being mindful of the peaty soil. Recovery of which which is one of 16 subspecies of encourage a growth in population the time of year and by becoming can be slow. the willow grouse and is only found in a favourable and healthy aware of the agricultural and in the British Isles and Ireland. environment. ground nesting calendar. Visitors Grouse moorland management Its name is derived from the should be prepared to change includes an element of predator Greek ‘Lagos’ meaning Hare and route, taking local conditions, control, allowing ground ‘Pous’ meaning foot which draws landowner operational activity or nesting birds such as red comparison to the furry feet of advisory signage into account. grouse, lapwing and curlew to hares or rabbits. Keep dogs close at heel and successfully rear their young preferably on surfaced paths from predation such as foxes and The red grouse is a bird of open during ground nesting bird season carrion crows. moorland; resident all year round between April and July and leave and thrive on well managed moors. any gates as you find them. Bracken on moorlands can lead They use the short new shoots of to significant loss of habitat heather as a food source and nest Velda Weir where it gains a foothold and in scrapes on the ground around Natural Heritage Officer spreads quickly, competing out April and May producing up to 10 other vegetation. It is a preferred eggs. Grouse are susceptible to habitat for ticks as they love predation and any gamekeeper the thick matted rotten fronds managing the moorland will control and these tick bites can cause common predators to assist in weakness or death to sheep and good local population of ground grouse from a virus that attacks nesting birds. Young grouse their nervous system. develop wings and strength to fly in a matter of just a few weeks to help them avoid dangers.

pentland beacon page 8 Harlaw Hydro he Victorians built In 2009 a Balerno Village Trust Circa £350,000 of capital was In 2015 Harlaw Hydro Ltd expects Harlaw and Threipmuir consultation found that there required to make the dream to generate its first kilowatts of Reservoirs not to supply was interest in reviving the Water a reality. With the help of power, green energy feeding into the drinking water but to of Leith as a source of green Cooperative Development national grid. It is estimated that the Tprovide South West Edinburgh energy and in time honoured Scotland, Harlaw Hydro Limited, a 95kW hydro scheme will generate with reliable power. The small fashion a sub-committee was cooperative society for the benefit enough electricity for approximately but reasonably fast flowing Water formed. A feasibility study, funded of the community was established 56 homes and save 129 tonnes of of Leith was being used to drive through a grant from the Scottish in 2012. In 2013 the public was carbon p.a. Surplus income from the water wheels (70 in its heyday) Government’s Community and invited to join the society and scheme will be channelled through but during dry periods when Renewable Energy Scheme to buy shares in the venture. Balerno Village Trust for the benefit there was not enough water, the (CARES), confirmed that a This appeal was spectacularly of the community. reservoirs provided storage that micro-hydroelectric scheme at successful raising all the capital, could gather water in times of the outflow of Harlaw Reservoir most of it local to the Water of With the Pentlands Regional Park plenty and release it in times of was viable. Expense was kept to Leith. Service, Harlaw Hydro is planning need, providing a more reliable a minimum with team members a real time information display for power source. giving their skills and time freely. the Harlaw Visitors Centre which it is hoped will be both interesting and educational.

www.harlawhydro.org.uk

pentland beacon page 9 Season Lambing By the time this issue of the Pentland Beacon is in circulation, spring will have hopefully arrived, writes Paula Newton.

he Regional Park is a beautiful The main consequences of dogs place to visit in spring, with coming into contact with sheep T the landscape changing are; the animals are chased – this colour, the sounds of birds looking can lead to death by exhaustion for mates and the sight of new born especially if spring has followed lambs bleating on the hills. on from a harsh winter with little vegetation to eat, animals being Every spring thousands of lambs attacked leading to injuries or death, will be born not only in the lowland and lambs being abandoned from areas of the Park (predominately their mothers due to being separated fenced enclosures) but also on the after a dog has chased them. open upland hills where the sheep move around freely. Lambing It is not only dogs but visitors that traditionally takes place from can cause issues; visitors will late March through April see a solitary lamb crying out for and May. It is during these its mother, presume it has been months that the lambs abandoned and pick up the lamb. are most vulnerable; Once the smell of a human has been being abandoned by their placed onto a lamb, it is very likely mothers (ewes), attacked that the mother will not accept it by foxes, exposure to back and the farmer will either need cold and wet weather. This to encourage another mother to is why it is essential that accept it or hand rear it themselves. visitors and their dogs do If you come across a potential their very best to not cause abandoned lamb please leave it any more issues for ewes and and contact the local farmer or the their lambs. Regional Park Service with a detailed description of the location.

pentland beacon page 10 The lambing initiative in For the purposes of this Act conjunction with Police Scotland worrying livestock means: Sheep worrying will run again this year in the Regional Park. Signs will be • attacking livestock, or erected at access points, fliers • chasing livestock in such a way Sheep worrying can occur at any time of the year will be handed out by Regional as may reasonably be expected and is when a dog chases or attacks a sheep. Park staff and Police Officers to cause injury or suffering to and this year a new poster the livestock or, in the case of will be sent out to local vets to females, abortion, or loss of or Ewes can suffer a miscarriage The cost of one lamb being highlight the consequences of diminution in their produce, or if chased by a dog. killed is £80 – £100. sheep worrying. • being loose (that is to say not (November – April) on a lead or otherwise under Ewes usually have two lambs per Dogs (Protection of Livestock) close control) in a field or year. Over six years = 12 lambs. Act 1953 enclosure in which there are Ewes and their lambs can sheep. become separated if chased Subject to the provisions of the by dogs, resulting in the ewes Cost of ewe being killed = £1,200 Dogs (Protection of Livestock) If a dog is identified to be abandoning their lambs. in loss of potential earnings. Act, 1953, if a dog worries worrying livestock, the keeper livestock on any agricultural and any person in charge of the Please visit the Pentland Hills Regional Park but keep your dog land, the owner of the dog, dog at that time can face a fine on a short lead or close at heel at all times. and, if it is in the charge of a and a court can make order for person other than its owner, that the dog to be destroyed. The person also, shall be guilty of an owner of the livestock may also offence. take direct action at the time including shooting the dog to protect their stock.

Paula Newton Natural Heritage Officer

pentland beacon page 11 Moorland

CallingJessica Morgado discovers the sights and sounds of spring in the Pentland Hills.

pentland beacon page 12 t the time of writing this Soon enough, you should be able Perhaps you will be lucky enough article, the snow is falling to hear a concert of calls coming to hear Cuckoos around the A in Edinburgh but it did not from the brown grass and heather woodlands of Bonaly Country last very long with the sun melting covered grounds. When the time Park, which lay eggs in Meadow it all before the children could has come to mate, birds need to Pipits nests in the surrounding have a chance to play. defend their territory and songs heather moorland. form a crucial part of this defence. It feels like spring is in the air In woodlands, birds perch on Finally high on the hills where when walking in woodlands trees to call out their territory but snow lingers, you might spot around the city: birds are in the moorland, birds have to do some black grouse with their singing, leaves have started to it from the ground or from the air. distinctive red crest and white unfurl on trees, snowdrops cover Often enough, some species will rump challenging you from their the ground with a spectacular have aerobatic displays along rocks, and if you do see them, display of green and white and with a song which you might be please let the Regional Park there is a distinctive garlic smell lucky to witness. Service know as they have not following you when wild garlic is been recorded for a long time stepped on. If you walk around Threipmuir although possible sightings were you might hear peculiar calls seen during winter! Looking at the Pentland Hills coming from the fields and see from the city, snow is lingering Lapwings jumping off the ground Jessica Morgado in some of the shady peaks and flying in loops in the sky. Quite Natural Heritage Officer when walking there you can spectacular! easily be caught in a squally snow shower which will leave your ears Watch out for Curlews whose smarting from the cold! brown and white complex feather pattern help them blend into the Spring comes grudgingly to these moorland. They return to the high and exposed places and hills to nest after a winter spent wildlife has to adapt to survive the in wetlands and along coastal moorlands. habitats.

pentland beacon page 13 More

Victor Partridge investigates whether there is more wildlife in the Pentland Hills Regional Park.

ack in November I attended a meeting to discuss the next City of Edinburgh Biodiversity Action Plan. This plan Bis very important for us and many other conservation organisations as it sets out objectives to help protect wildlife over the next few years. In the meeting we also looked back at the success of the work carried out for the present plan, 2010 to 2015 and someone asked a very good question “So is there more wildlife in Edinburgh now?” This got me thinking - is there more wildlife in the Pentland Hills Regional Park?

The short answer is, we do not know.

pentland beacon page 14 The problem is, monitoring Even species we survey regularly, The lack of old trees means there and are home to many species populations of animals is like the green hairstreak butterfly, are fewer holes for birds to nest of birds that nest on the ground; very time consuming, either we do not know if the population in, so we have put up bird and bat skylark, meadow pipit, red involving capturing, marking and is going up or down. What we can boxes in all the woods managed grouse, curlew and lapwing. The releasing animals or following say, is each year we are finding by the Service. eggs or chicks of these birds can strict scientific methods which more locations where they occur, become cold and die if the adults require regular counting and data but due to their small size, colour Another habitat we manage is are disturbed from their nest. analysis. and fast flight, they have probably wildflower meadows; one at What would a walk over the hills been there all the time and we just Hillend Country Park and the be like without the sound of have not noticed them! other at Bavelaw Marsh. These singing birds? meadows are cut, raked and What do we know? arisings removed to improve the So we may not be able to provide biodiversity of these sites. statistical analysed evidence to We have records for 914 species prove that there is more wildlife of plants and animals in the We also carry out scientific in the Park, but with the work of Regional Park – although this monitoring for species such the landowners, Friends of the is not a comprehensive list as as breeding birds on Bonaly Pentlands and ourselves, there it lacks at least two species we Moorland in April, May and should be more flora and fauna know are present but are so June. However, we have never for us all to enjoy. common that no one has actually analysed the data, as again this recorded them – rabbit and grey would be quite a considerable If you are a visitor to the Regional squirrel! amount of work. If you are a Park who spots wildlife or has student looking for a research records which might be useful, We know the population of project, we have plenty of please send them in and include junipers has increased by 800 information for you to analyse. animals and plants that you think since 2008 and that is because are common, it all helps. the Regional Park Service and It is not always necessary to the Friends of the Pentlands have do something practical to help If you wish to find out more about planted them. There are also wildlife. One thing we can all do the work carried out to improve many more tree species, planted as visitors especially if you have biodiversity in the Regional Park, by several landowners. The a dog, is keep yourself and pet our annual Nature Conservation Pentland Hills lacks woodland to the surfaced paths over the Reports are available on our for wildlife, so we can assume moorland during bird nesting website www.pentlandhills.org.uk. that this increase has helped, season (April to July). Moorlands particularly woodland birds to are one of the most important Victor Partridge colonise different parts of the hills. habitats in the Pentland Hills Natural Heritage Officer

pentland beacon page 15 Pentland Path Survey

When visiting the Pentland users; walkers, runners, cyclists, A path condition survey was for a survey to look at path Hills Regional Park, do you anglers and horse riders, as carried out in 2006 by the then erosion, drainage and path ever think about what surface well as being used for land Pentland Hills Ranger Service. structure on four of the worst you are walking, cycling or management purposes, for Since then, path erosion erosion effected routes. The riding on? example, forestry and farming. has increased, with repairs, results will then provide detailed This means the Regional maintenance, and upgrades specifications for improvements Often we do not notice unless Park’s path network needs to being carried out by staff, to the paths, including costs for the paths are particularly muddy be suitable for many different contractors, volunteers and the path upgrades and provide a or uneven, but the quality of path purposes. Friends of the Pentlands only basis to apply for grant money surface and other infrastructure, when money has been available. to pay for the work required. This for example, stiles and gates An estimated 600,000 – 800,000 ensures the popular Pentland all add to providing a good people a year visit the Regional At present a new path survey Path network will be maintained experience in the hills. Park – that’s a lot of feet, wheels has been commissioned, using for future walkers, cyclists, horse and hooves. Add to this the wind, money made available by the riders and runners to enjoy. The Pentland Hills Regional rain, snow and ice and you get a City of Edinburgh Council’s Park is popular with many lot of path erosion. cycling revenue project bank Susan Dickson different types of recreational fund. The money is paying Senior Natural Heritage Officer

pentland beacon page 16 Habbies Howe – Logan Burn

he Pentland Hills It is an offence for any person Regional Park is a to intentionally or recklessly sites of hugely important damage the protected natural area in its own right. features of a SSSI. We are all aware of Special thisT and work hard to ensure it In this issue, focus will be remains that way. Included within given to one of the three the Regional Park are many SSSI’s, with the next two Scientific landscape designations such as editions of the Pentland Country Parks, Areas of Great Beacon covering the remaining Landscape Value and hopefully SSSI’s. Interest soon a designated Local Nature Reserve amongst others. The Habbies Howe – Logan Park also has three designated Burn (SSSI) is located close Sites of Special Scientific Interest to Loganlea Reservoir, (SSSI): Habbies Howe – Logan below Scald Law. A good Burn, North Esk Valley and combination of geology and Balerno Common. geomorphology has resulted in a site with a variety of A SSSI is an area of land and/ important bryophyte and or water that Scottish Natural lichen habitats. The site is of Heritage considers to best great regional importance as represent the nations natural the only known Lothian locality heritage – it can be designated for a number of species. due to the diverse range of plants, animals or general habitat The site has a long history of that the area supports, it can be bryophyte recording, with an rocks, landforms and underlying exceptionally large number of strata or combinations of these species recorded for such a natural features. small area in eastern Scotland (288 species). Of these, 14 SSSI designations occur species are nationally scarce under the Nature Conservation in the UK, including montane (Scotland) Act 2004 and are base-loving species such as protected by law. the fringed extinguisher-moss.

pentland beacon page 17 There have been 150 species A management agreement was of lichen recorded, including 15 in place until recently (2013) that are nationally scarce in the which ensured the majority of the UK. site was fenced off and grazing was kept to a minimum. This The damp conditions of this site also protected the area from is also favourable for several denudation caused by walkers lime-loving species which are and cyclists. Light grazing will be uncommon in Scotland; burnet beneficial, aimed at maintaining rose, rock rose, hairy rockcress, a suitable level of natural scrub mossy saxifrage and limestone regeneration while preventing bedstraw. Other plant species excessive poaching and scrub found on the site include wood development. Vegetation surveys sorrel, greater woodrush, water are undertaken approximately avens, woodruff, meadowsweet every 15 years with one due and valerian. Some scrub cover imminently. Annual fixed point remains on the steep slopes photography assists with site Point 5 - Aug 2014 of the SSSI where grazing is monitoring. In 2009, 30 juniper limited. The scrubland comprises seedlings were planted by the of juniper, birch, rowan and then Pentland Hills Ranger aspen, and is an important relict Service. with species typical of formerly extensive woodland. Although Efforts are now being made to small, the site encompasses a review the effectiveness of recent habitat which is rare in the Lothian management with a view to area, with its distinctive vegetation forming a new agreement aimed harbouring some interesting at protecting this small but very insect species including the special part of the Regional Park locally rare money spider and a for many years to come. running foliage spider. David Kyles Natural Heritage Officer

pentland beacon page 18 Area report South Pentlands

Repairs have been undertaken Esk Reservoir towards the on stiles located on the circular Borestane, improving drainage Nine Mile Burn / Monks Rig and installing some new gates Pentland Path route. Additional later in 2015. way-marker has been installed and a review of existing Improvements to the Fairliehope directional signage is currently Bridge over the River North underway. Esk have been discussed with various landowners and local Constructive meetings have community volunteers. Given taken place with one of the the poor access and fairly major landowners in the Carlops area, improvements required attention aimed at improving access has now turned to investigating across a tricky bit of hillside financing such a project and above the River North Esk which the possibility of applying for is promoted as a Pentland Path. grant aided funding to do so. Hopefully, more news will be With the help of the Friends forthcoming on this project of the Pentlands and with towards the end of the year. permission from the landowner, we hope to improve access on David Kyles the path to the north of North Natural Heritage Service

pentland beacon page 19 Area report Harlaw / Bonaly / Dreghorn / Castlelaw areas

Since September, a major Over the years this fence has Regional Park Service qualified woodland expansion project been vandalised and repaired to use a chainsaw, have made Fallen trees/ has been taking place in Bonaly countless times and is no longer all the trees safe. Many visitors dead trees make Country Park, on the northern fulfilling its purpose as a stock to the Park may find seeing slope of White Hill and Sanctuary proof fence, keeping the grazing fallen trees as being unkempt or fantastic habitats Wood. Approximately 20,000 sheep out of the main area of visually unappealing but fallen for many insects trees have been planted, the Country Park. The new fence trees/dead trees make fantastic consisting of 70% broadleaf and will include the installation of habitats for many insects which which in turn 10% conifer species. two stiles, one to access the in turn are an essential food are an essential orienteering marker and the source for birds and other The remaining 10% has been other at the summit of Torduff Hill animals. food source for allocated as open space to allow where the most damage takes birds and other the trees space to grow. For place on the fence. People will In February, the Regional Park further information please read now be able to access the rocky Service and the Friends of the animals. Martin Duncan’s article in this summit easily without the need Pentlands work squad spent a edition. to break the fence. full day improving Torduff Car There have also been two big Park at Bonaly. Work included projects taking place at Harlaw; Another large project taking Over the winter there have been cutting down trees, cutting the final stages of the installation place at Bonaly is the quite a few storms that have back the hedge and clearing of the Harlaw Hydro Scheme replacement of the 500 metre seen numerous trees either out the drainage. The result is and the start of the hedge laying fence running from Torduff fall or become dangerous at a very open car park with clear project. For further information Reservoir to the top of Sanctuary Bonaly and Harlaw. Thankfully bays which is more open and on the hydro scheme, please Wood. The work will be the City of Edinburgh Council’s welcoming. read Martin Petty’s article on completed by the end of March. forestry squads and those in the page 9).

pentland beacon page 20 Area report Harlaw / Bonaly / Dreghorn / Castlelaw areas cont.

The hedge laying project relates lady who came all the way from to the 250 metre hedge that Holland to attend both courses! runs parallel to the access track from Harlaw Car Park to Harlaw The plan is to now host a further House Visitor Centre. The hedge two courses in winter 2015 was planted approximately 12 to lay the remaining hedge. years ago to stop dogs from Interpretation will be put up on site entering the field which is used in spring explaining what hedge for growing crops. It was always laying is and what it entails, so intended to have the hedge laid; that the public can have a better to improve nesting for birds, to understanding of the craft. expose the stunning view of the hills, to act as an example of a Work will begin shortly in the Before traditional countryside craft and wildlife garden at Harlaw to have a dog proof hedge so that complete the new herb area. The the fence could be removed. This project is in conjunction with the winter we had approximately Friends of the Pentland’s garden 110 metres of the hedge laid squad who have over wintered by hosting two hedge laying herbs that will be transferred into courses facilitated by Peter the garden once spring is fully Holmes, of Rural Skills Training, with us. Not only will the herbs who has 25 years experience in attract a variety of butterflies and conservation and horticultural insects, they will also create a work. Both courses were perfume of smells to compliment fully booked with participants that of the flowering plants in the including Countryside Rangers, sensory bed. Friends of the Pentlands, After Regional Park staff and members Paula Newton of the public including one Natural Heritage Service

pentland beacon page 21 Area report Threipmuir / Hillend areas / Harperrig

The Ramblers Scotland group came Just before Christmas we had two out again and put in five sleeper heavily used sections of paths Before bridges and drainage on the path improved using money from the between Listonshiels and West Rigg. City of Edinburgh Council’s cycling This path along with the Borestane revenue project bank (money set is part of the Scottish National Trail aside by the City of Edinburgh devised by outdoors writer and Council to improve off-road cycling broadcaster Cameron McNeish. routes). Both paths are located at Threipmuir; one leading from If you intend to walk the Cauldstane Threipmuir Car Park, through Slap, Drovers Route in the West Redford Wood (towards Red Moss Lothian section of the Park, you will at Bavelaw) and the other path be pleased to hear the Little Vantage leads to Threipmuir Reservoir, Car Park on the A70 has had the also known as the Dog Leg Path. potholes filled. Sections of these paths had been significantly eroded as they After Further along the A70, the bird hide were waterlogged and therefore on the shore of Harperrig Reservoir become muddy. The paths are now has also been repaired after the surfaced with appropriate drainage winter storms damaged the roof and installed. door. It is a great place to sit with binoculars and watch the ducks and The City of Edinburgh Council’s geese and maybe this summer a Flood Prevention Team have also visiting osprey. carried out drainage and surfacing work on a section of path from Victor Partridge Threipmuir Dam leading towards Natural Heritage Officer Black Springs.

pentland beacon page 22 Area report Flotterstone Glen area

Since November 2014 there has but in doing so, they have a continues with the Drystane Wall people looking to engage in been the provision of specific legal responsibility to dispose of Association and the Friends of practical maintenance activities. dog fouling bins at two locations all their litter, waste and fouling the Pentlands, to provide living Their team has recently helped on the woodland walk leading responsibly. Where bin provision interpretation outside the visitor cut back encroaching gorse at from the car park at Flotterstone. is limited or not available we ask centre with a stone planter with Hillend Country Park. A group all visitors to carry their waste plants on show that can be from Tiphereth that litter pick Pentland Hills Regional Park staff to the nearest waste disposal or found in the Pentland Hills – this car parks at both Flotterstone working directly with Midlothian take their litter home. project will run through 2015 and Harlaw continue their good Council Land Resource Manager and the next phase is pending a work. There are also a number of discussed the issue of significant Storms in January caused successful funding application. corporate and volunteer projects amounts of bagged dog fouling damage to trees and walls which are ’shovel ready’ and being left in the area in recent around the Glen Road area. Volunteer groups visiting the prepared for 2015. years and agreed that specific Regional Park staff helped clear Regional Park have included dog fouling bins would be a fallen branches and limbs and a group attending a rolling Velda Weir useful provision for visitors. a large fallen tree which was programme of activities with Natural Heritage Officer blocking the road. the EVOLS project, who are These bins are serviced by a supervised group of young Midlothian Council and so far There have been incremental have met the needs of dog improvements to the visitor walkers, with a reduction of centre and its surrounds. Picnic bagged foul being left on verges tables have been relocated to and in the car park. The bins the BBQ area as well as pruning provide a facility for dog walking of overhanging branches and visitors but also serves as a vegetation in and around the reminder that under the Scottish Woodland Walk. The planning Outdoor Access Code visitors phase of a demonstration have a right to access this land planter interpretation project

pentland beacon page 23 Friends of the Pentlands is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation. Registered in Scotland No: SC035514

Conserving, protecting and enhancing

Our February talk saw Vantage to Selm Muir wood, Have you enjoyed walking in For further information about the Stan Cartmell of Balerno Ramblers which we have been working on the Pentlands in the past, but Friends of the Pentlands, please giving us a fascinating ‘Walk for a number of months. This has cannot manage it now? Do you visit our website: around Japan’ talk which had a involved installing boardwalks, a know someone who fits this www.pentlandfriends.org.uk great turnout of members and number of gates and yellow way- description? friends. markers which makes the To find out more about route very visible. The long- If so, help is at hand ... On volunteering with us, please We planted a hedge last term plan is to link this path the 28 and 29 May we will be contact our Volunteer Organiser year on the western side to a route being established offering free use of mobility Phil Rowsby on email: prowsby@ of Harperrig Reservoir, which by Kirknewton Community scooters from Threipmuir Car gmail.com. has become well established Council from Kirknewton Railway Park where you can access the – this commemorates the Station. At present you can walk Robin Aitken bird hide at Bavelaw ‘It’s good for Hills to have Friends’ Centenary of World War I and has from Kirknewton (via Leyden Marsh, Red Moss boardwalk a commemorative plaque. Road) to Selm Muir Wood, and to Harlaw Reservoir and to Little Vantage and onto West back. For more information please In early March the final way- Linton via the Cauldstane Slap on contact Esmee Yuille on email: markers and signs were put a way-marked path. [email protected] up on the new path from Little

pentland beacon page 24 Booking and drop in events For further information on all our events please telephone 0131 529 2401 or email: [email protected]. Our 2015 events leaflet ‘Enjoy the Pentland Hills Regional Park’ is available in the visitor centres and on our website www.pentlandhills.org.

next EVENT PENTLAND WALKING EVENTS biodiversity SURVEYS FESTIVAL Take part in our 2015 events Practical Conservation Green Hairstreak Survey programme; biodiversity Teddy Bear Adventures Woodland Restoration Monday 27 April surveys, family events, Thursday 16 July Sunday 27 September 1.30 – 3.30pm guided walks and practical 10.30am – 12 noon 1 – 3pm Breeding Bird Survey conservation. Booking is Monday 6 May required, unless stated. From Carlins to Carving Thursday 16 July Come along and carry out 6.30 – 8.30am practical conservation work; 10am – 2.30pm Green Hairstreak Survey help tidy up Bonaly Country Pondlife @ Harlaw Monday 11 May Teddy Bear Adventures Park after the busy summer Tuesday 14 April Thursday 17 July 1.30 – 3.30pm 1.30 – 3.30pm season. 10.30am – 12 noon Breeding Bird Survey Monday 1 June Come along to Harlaw Wildlife Northern History Archaeology Month 6.30 – 8.30am Garden and discover what Friday 17 July creatures lurk beneath the 10am – 3.45pm Pentlands Archaeology Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary Survey water of the wildlife pond. The Ridge Thursday 29 October Drop in session, no booking 10am – 2pm Tuesday 16 June Saturday 18 July 1.30 – 3.30pm required. 10am – 4pm Discover the evidence left Small Pearl Bordered behind and the stories they tell Fritillary Survey ACCESS EVENT WEST LOTHIAN WALKING FESTIVAL of life in the Pentlands. Monday 29 June 1.30 – 3.30pm Get Hooked Sunday 14 June The Wild West biodiversity SURVEYS Wildflower Meadow Survey 11am – 3pm Friday 25 September Monday 20 July 10am – 2pm Take part in our biodiversity 1.30 – 3.30pm Join us for a fun filled day at surveys from April – August. Wildflower Meadow Survey Harlaw Reservoir, learning A walk along by the largest Monday 3 August about what is involved in reservoir in the Regional Park, Breeding Bird Survey 1.30 – 3.30pm fishing and how you can play Harperrig Reservoir and up Tuesday 7 April your part. Drop in session, no to the second highest point in 6.30 – 8.30am No prior experience necessary. booking required. West Lothian, West Cairn. Booking required.

pentland beacon page 25 You can get this document on tape, in Braille, large print and various computer formats if you ask us. Please contact the Interpretation and Translation Service (ITS) on 0131 242 8181 and quote reference number 14-1518. The ITS can also give information on community language translations. You can get more copies of this document by calling 0131 529 2401.

We hope that you have enjoyed The Pentland Beacon is Contact us: the articles in this publication. If produced by the Pentland Hills you encounter any difficulties or Regional Park Service and Pentland Hills Regional Park disappointment, please do not designed and printed by the City Supported by: Hermitage of Braid hesitate to contact a member of Edinburgh Council. 69a Braid Road of the Park staff, or ask them for Edinburgh a copy of the City of Edinburgh Letters or articles for inclusion Y OUR COUNCIL – Y OUR ENVIRONMENT EH10 6JF Council’s ‘Make Contact’ form (for can be sent to Paula Newton at: complaints and suggestions). T: 0131 529 2401 Pentland Hills Regional Park E: [email protected]. After you have gone through the Hermitage of Braid www.pentlandhills.org. Council’s complaints process, if 69a Braid Road you are still not happy, you have Edinburgh the right to take your complaint EH10 6JF All images used in the Pentland Hills Regional Park Newsletter are copyrighted to the following photographers, to the Scottish Public Services artists and organisations: Steve Chambers, A D Connolly, Ombudsman, 23 Walker Street, The Service is supported by Patricia Daly, Ela Dzimitko, James C Haggart, Alan Laughlin, Stuart Macfarlane, David Newton, Benjamin Panulo, Victor Edinburgh, EH3 7HX. Telephone the City of Edinburgh Council, Partridge and Think Stock. 0870 011 5378. Generally, if you Midlothian Council, West Lothian want to do this, you must contact Council and Scottish Water. Designed by the City of Edinburgh Council. Corporate Governance. the Ombudsman within one year. 14.221/SFC/SGe/April 2015.

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