Bi-annual newsletter of the Pentland Hills Regional Park / Issue 50 Spring / Summer 2019

In this issue Contentspage

page 2 Pentland Hills Regional Park Completed projects: • Blacksprings path upgrade DONATION SCHEME (Summer 2019) • Replacement of gate at The Pentland Hills Regional Park The staff that manage the The Donations Scheme is a Castlelaw (2018) covers an area of 10,000 hectares Regional Park carry out a large simple way for people to put with over 100km (62 miles) of number of projects in order to something back into the Regional • Replacement of Daisy Dell paths. Approximately 600,000 increase the visitor’s enjoyment Park. The scheme creates a bridge (2016) people enjoy recreating in the of the Park. These include: path way for a general donation to • Upgrading of steps leading park every year; walking, cycling, construction and maintenance; be made towards environmental into Bonaly Country Park from horse riding and fishing to name signage and waymarking; improvements in the Park. Torduff Reservoir (2012) but a few of the recreational installation of access gates; Donations can be made via activities. habitat improvements for wildlife; cheque, bank transfer or cash can • A new recycled plastic seat for and improvement of facilities at be placed into the donation boxes the Flotterstone Glen (2011) visitor centres and other popular situated in Flotterstone, Harlaw • 500 copies of 500 copies of the sites. There are always more to and Threipmuir Car Parks. ‘Horse Riding in the Pentland do than resources allow. That is Hills Regional Park’ leaflet (2010) where the donations scheme All funds raised are used only for can help. new ‘added value’ projects on the For more information and to ground and not for the day to day donate visit the Regional Parks running of the Service. website: www.pentlandhills.org

page 3 DONATING MADE EASIER RingGo comes to the Pentland Hills Regional Park to make it easier to donate towards projects in the Park.

This system is already on offer phone or pc. You can register for in over 400 town and cities RingGo on the sign up page at nationwide including Edinburgh, http://www.myringgo.com/login Dalkeith and East Lothian to pay or when you want to donate. for parking without coins. But Alternatively, you can phone here in the Regional Park all funds 0131 516 4000 to donate, just raised will go towards projects use codes: to improve the infrastructure like paths, stiles, gates and Pentland Hills Regional Park towards habitat enhancements such as meadow and woodland £2 - 12558 management and creation. £5 - 12562 £10 - 12563 How does cashless donating work? For more information on the RingGo lets you donate for your RingGo system please check out parking and projects within the their website at Regional Park without coins, you www.myringgo.com just need a payment card and a

page 4 fire! fire!hew! It was indeed a we instigated a blanket ban on all scorcher last summer, which campfires during the drought, only Pbrought plenty of people (reluctantly) allowing barbecue out into the Hills to enjoy camping sets if they were lit on stony with a guarantee of no rain. ground and properly extinguished This brought associated risks, good fortune that none of them with water afterwards. Plenty of however, the most acute being spread to the adjoining heather campers heeded our message – it wildfire. moorland. Some had been wasn’t as if a fire was needed for deliberately set under fallen trees, heat at night anyhow! We were lucky in some ways, which does make you wonder suffering only a couple of large exactly what is going through Please let us know if you see an wildfires, but they cost many someone’s mind. Many of them unattended fire at any time of hours and much effort by local we could sort ourselves, and we year, in any weather: it might be landowners and firefighters. A are grateful for the information raining, but the ground could be notable fire was on Scald Law, we were passed about them bone-dry. If unsure, just give us a near Eastside Farm, and it is from members of the public. call on the duty mobile number. suspected that it was started Easter Sunday this year saw a Also monitor the Pentland Hills by a camper leaving a fire large gorse fire which has burnt Regional Park website for updates smouldering. an area of over 1000 sq metres. on active fire bans. The Scottish Fire and Rescue We dealt with many such attended and closed the Country Tommy McManmon smouldering fires in Bonaly Park as the fire was so severe. Natural Heritage Officer Country Park, it being a matter of These smouldering fires stay alight so long because of the high peat content in the ground in areas such as Bonaly. A fire can appear to be completely extinguished, for it to pop up again hours or days later: outwith any ring of stones that around the original fire site. For this reason,

page 5 Walking your dog ambing season is now in full swing in the Hills Land so it is important to keep this in mind when you are out enjoying the countryside, especially if you bring your dog. Sheep worrying is a big problem driven from shelter and may be Here are some tips to follow when • Work on improving your dog’s across Scotland and farms separated from their mothers, walking with your dog in the obedience and recall. You may throughout the Regional Park potentially leaving the farmer countryside: be walking your dog off lead continue to experience incidents to hand rear the lamb or lose it thinking there are no sheep • If you see sheep on your route every year. These incidents occur through starvation or predation. in the area but you can often always consider putting your more frequently on farms in the Each sheep or lamb killed or come upon sheep unexpectedly dog on a lead immediately, Flotterstone, Harlaw, Bonaly and injured from sheep worrying has around dips and bends. If you especially if their recall is poor, Dreghorn areas. Collectively an upsetting and financial impact want to walk your dog regularly these farms have over 4000 on the farmer. • Pay attention to signage at off the lead then it is essential sheep, and during lambing entrances and along routes. the dog is reliable and expertly season approximately 3000 Sheep are widespread in the These will often suggest there trained. Consider professional lambs are born. Hills, some you will see in clearly is a high risk of encountering dog trainers who could help enclosed fields but most are sheep in that area, with this kind of training. Sheep worrying free to roam across the hills, • If you encounter sheep on a does not only making the likelihood of you The Scottish Outdoor Access path, pause for a moment as refer to the encountering sheep very high. Code sets out guidance which they might not have heard or animals being Even if your dog is well trained applies to dog walking in the seen you yet. To prevent them physically to walk at heel, it is important to countryside www.outdooraccess- becoming startled, which can attacked or keep a lead with you for use in scotland.scot If you witness cause them to panic, speak injured, but unexpected eventualities. There a sheep worrying incident out loudly to alert them to your also includes is no denying we create a close contact the Police Scotland and presence. Once they are alerted the animals bond with our pet dogs and most the Regional Park as soon as they will regroup and often being disturbed can’t imagine them having the possible. Please enjoy your visit to move off the path, or chased. The capability to do any harm, but we the countryside, support the local lambing months are must always keep in mind that • If you find an injured or trapped farming community, and keep a crucial period for lamb dogs are predators by design. No sheep, do not approach it with within the law by keeping your dog development and disturbance matter how well trained a dog is your dog. Take a note of the under proper control at all times. can have adverse or fatal effects you can easily find yourself in a location and let the farmer or on their survival. For example, different situation when close to the Regional Park staff know, Meryl Norris disturbed young lambs can be farm animals. Natural Heritage Officer

page 6 Birds of Prey

he 2018 breeding season Our main focus is on the kestrel of the adult birds were showing During our monitoring in the Pentland Hills and over the last several years we the red coloured rings and after activities we also managed to Tstarted off with good sunny have managed to build up a study checking our records we were ring sparrowhawk, buzzard, weather with the predictions of area which was made possible able to determine the actual age tawny owl, merlin chicks but a good vole year which as you with the help and continued and the individual nest box where unfortunately some of our long can imagine has a direct bearing support of the landowners who the bird hatched. eared owls deserted their nest on the success or failure for the allow us to put up nest boxes and sites due to people camping too breeding birds of prey. However, not forgetting all the other estate 2018 seen the kestrels use 26 of close. Therefore, we would again little did we know that the weather workers who keep us informed of our nest boxes throughout the ask people to be vigilant and was to drastically change so any bird sightings etc. We would Pentlands and they usually lay please look around and upwards early in the season with wintery also like to thank The Friends between 4 and 6 eggs normally, for nesting birds and especially weather and deep snow covering of the Pentlands who every but we recorded two, seven listen for the alarm calls from the the Hills making life very difficult year donate a number of nest egg clutches with one brood adult birds when you’re having for the landowners and workers. boxes and get eaten alive with successfully fledging the seven a break or setting up a campsite With the tawny owls being one midges when they accompany chicks but unfortunately the other and please move away and give of the species that breed early Graham and myself to witness brood of seven failed at eggs. the birds some space. in the season they were hit hard and experience a brood of young Overall there were a total of 149 and many breeding pairs failed on kestrel chicks being ringed. eggs laid with 121 eggs hatching This spring, we ask the public to eggs consequently. and 105 chicks ringed. Therefore, look out for any dead kestrals, As part of our study we have we would be very grateful for any noting the details written on their Again, it’s good to report that been ringing all the kestrel chicks information regarding sightings of leg rings and report it to us. 2018s sightings of red kites, hen with the metal British Trust for these young kestrels, remember harriers, ospreys and short eared Ornithology rings and colour look for the red coloured ring on Graham Anderson owls increased and we think it rings (red with 2 white numbers/ its left leg. You can also contact and Keith Burgoyne is just a matter of time before letters) and during 2018 we were and follow our kestrel study on Lothian and Borders they start nesting here in the able to photograph several of the our new and evolving website Raptor Study Group Pentlands. breeding adult kestrels. To our https://pentlandkestrels. amazement and excitement some wordpress.com

page 7 our the roe deer aren’t species linked to the same Fof deer negative grazing and are found trampling impacts on Lowland Deer in Scotland: open ground habitats red, roe, fallow as red deer are. and sika. Red and roe deer are our With a healthy population of native species and the most deer around it is important to be widespread. Scotland supports aware of a few things. When you the largest population of red deer are walking with your dog off in Europe but we are unlikely to the lead please be sure you can see them in the Pentlands. It is recall them as dogs will often give the roe deer that is widespread chase to deer. When deer have throughout central Scotland and their young the mother will often are increasingly seen in and leave the young deer (called a around our towns and cities. We fawn) hidden in the undergrowth now have regular sightings of roe while they go off to feed. If you deer especially in Bonaly Country come across a fawn on its own, Park and near Balerno and Currie. do not disturb or move the animal, please leave them be and move Roe deer don’t need a lot of cover away from the area. and so can move easily in and around our urban environments. The Lowland Deer Network They feed on small shrubs, herbs, Scotland (LDNS) has been set up and tree shoots so they enjoy to help lowland land managers and the cultivated land that occurs in the public understand the impacts You may have noticed in recent years urban areas. of increased deer populations. an increase in the number of deer seen LDNS run the Deer On Your While it is nice to see more deer, Doorstep project to help inform near our towns and cities. This appears they can put pressure on native people about the benefits and to be a trend across the UK and we are plant and tree regeneration due to risks associated with an increasing their taste for young tree shoots deer population around our urban experiencing it here in Edinburgh too. and shrubs. Maintaining deer fringe. To find out more visit fencing around new plantations http://www.ldns.org.uk/deer-on- is now a very important your-doorstep/ consideration for land managers in central Scotland. Luckily due to Meryl Norris their smaller body and group size Natural Heritage Officer

page 8 Mountain Hare survey in the Pentland Hills

A Molecular Ecologist at Edinburgh University is undertaking a study looking at the population genetics of Mountain Hares across the Southern Uplands and is keen to identify populations in the Pentland Hills. If you have any recent sightings of area, please send them to [email protected], along with date and grid reference.

Difference between Hares and Rabbits Hares tend to be larger than rabbits, with longer hind legs and longer ears with black markings at the tips. Hares also change colour from brown or gray in the summer to white in the winter while rabbits remain brown all year round.

Rabbits tend to live in groups underground while hares are more solitary and make nests above ground. When spooked or chased rabbits will run to a burrow to hide while a hare will run at high speed until it finds cover above ground.

page 9 There are many ways to get to the Pentland Hills if you don’t have are amazingly quiet. There have a car but some areas been some reports of request require you to use for them to have a noise fitted but until then keep your eyes out country roads. for them. We all have our part to play in keeping safe which also includes car drivers. ore and more people visit the Pentland Hills Car drivers should take extra MRegional Park on a daily, care on country roads; reduce weekly and monthly basis, so Keeping safe on the your speed as you approach if you don’t have a car and you bends, which can be sharper walk, come by bike or horse from than they appear, and at junctions Currie or Balerno. To avoid an and turnings, which may be accident and to keep yourself Country Roads partially hidden. The Pentland safe, follow these safety tips to Hills Regional Park and land happily get to your destination. top of the Kirkgate, so oncoming Technology is great when it surrounding Currie and Balerno traffic has a better chance of works but wearing head phones contain many working farms. Be It may not be the height of seeing you and then cross back with music blaring reduces your prepared for pedestrians, horse fashion but wear bright clothing after the bend. ability to hear others around riders, cyclists, slow-moving farm or something so you are seen you – whether it’s a car, horse vehicles or mud on the road. by drivers using headlights. If you are walking in a large cyclist or tractor! So, if you’re Make sure you can stop within the It improves your visibility up group you should keep to the going along Harlaw Road or distance you can see is clear and to three times as far. So, get left with look-outs at the front Mansfield Road (or indeed any give plenty of space. yourselves seen! and back of the group. They country road) please take off should wear fluorescent clothes your headphones and be aware For more information on the Walkers, you can help by keeping in daylight and reflective clothes of what is around you. You may highway code visit to the right-hand side of the road in the dark. At night, the look- even hear some of the wild birds www.highwaycodeuk.co.uk so you see oncoming traffic; be out in front should show a white which frequent the area. or why not test yourself at prepared to walk in single file, light and the one at the back a https://theorypass.co.uk/ especially on narrow roads or red light. People on the outside Electric cars are becoming and see if you can still pass the in poor light; and, keep close to of a large group should also more popular and The City of theory test! the side of the road. You may be carry lights and wear reflective Edinburgh Council, along with safer to cross the road before a clothing. It’s all about seeing and others, have them in their fleet. I Jenny Hargreaves sharp right-hand bend, eg at the being seen! have recently driven one and they Senior Natural Heritage Officer

page 10 Pentland People: they got up to, were a source of constant amusement. Nude Mike Jones sunbathers at Glencorse Filter Beds were a surprise, as were the colleagues. Other rangers were to get frustrated at the sheer hundreds of brand-new bowling based at Hillend and Clubbiedean. numbers of people using the Park. balls dumped by the roadside in His working day started off with Flotterstone Glen. He remembers a litter pick (nothing changes), One of the difficulties in dealing a coach trying to naively negotiate followed by a walk all the way with the public when they phoned the Glen road, only to be stuck for up to the Howe and back! This up about an incident could be some days up at the Howe. And was to engage with members pinpointing where exactly they there was the memorable time of the public, as well as inspect were, and this was exacerbated by when he asked a lady to put her sites which had been used by the fact that people had different dog on the lead in a field of sheep campers. Mike described to names for places. The water (after she had walked past a sign me the techniques of campfire board man might call the area requesting this), only for her to removal: “We would remove the around North Esk the “Garnocks”, retort that “sheep know our dogs”, ashes, then there were some not a place name on any map. and “our dogs can’t read!” handy molehills we would use to Members of the Ranger Service cover up the site of the fire.” Other created other place-names, such Mike reckoned everything is ou need a firm constitution duties might include projects such as “Phantom’s Cleugh” for the glen a bit serious now in the world to visit Mike Jones. The as removal of fences, creation of leading off the Maiden’s Cleugh, of rangering, although I could Y route up to his house near tree plantations, or bridge building so named for the mysterious regale him with some of my own Carlops is a bumpy, steep farm and path maintenance. volunteer who was always out stories from the Pentland Hills, track, with cattle and a gate to digging ditches, dug just wide none of which are ready for public contend with. But once you arrive, A week might go by without seeing enough to annoy mountain bikers consumption yet. He struck me you’re greeted by an enthusiastic rangers based in other parts of (Mike was determined to find as a man with a real passion for collie, and equal warmth by Mike the Park; they would only come the phantom’s tools, but never the land, and the people of the and Caroline. I made the journey together for a weekly meeting on succeeded, only meeting him land, whether they be landowners, up to Fairliehope in September, a Wednesday, at Hillend. There once when the man’s car had farmers, or leisure takers. One and gratefully accepted a cup of were 11 staff in those days, very been broken into at Bonaly). thing is for certain: he will always tea and the chance to chat about different from the three full-time be a font of knowledge on any past rangering escapades. Natural Heritage Officer positions Mike was always active, engaging matter Pentlands-related, and now in post. Mike thought it different community groups, has made a valuable contribution Mike joined the Pentland Hills unfortunate that there were no whether they be schoolchildren, to the everyday operations of a Ranger Service in 1988, and was Rangers based on site these days; the Women’s Institute, or the much-loved Regional Park. based in Flotterstone Ranger he felt it was important that there Carnivorous Plant Society, who Centre (now the Pentland Hills was someone on hand to liaise he was able to show one solitary Tommy McManmon Café Express) alongside two other with farmers, who were starting sundew to! The public, and what Natural Heritage Officer

page 11 Tenant farmers Andrew and Catherine Barr run Harlaw Harlaw Farm near Balerno, part of Rosebery Estates. The 400-acre farm is situated on the north-west side of the Pentland hills, and sits at 800 feet (just a smidgen below Arthur’s Seat at FARM 822 feet). What type of farming do you occupational therapist whilst still do at Harlaw Farm? helping on the farm, but came on “We run a fully arable farm, board full-time as a partner when producing crops that will go into Andrew’s parents retired. “We feed for livestock, or products have three daughters who don’t people enjoy at home like look set on taking over the reins cooking oil – or even whisky and just yet, with their focuses taking gin! In addition to the 400 acres them towards midwifery, teaching at our home farm here at Harlaw and – as-yet undecided!” we have contracts across 250 acres of neighbouring farms”. What were your motivations to get into farming? How old is the farm house and “I grew up watching my dad farm how long have you farmed and was involved from a young here? age. I always had an interest, Harlaw Farm house dates to and decided to go off and study 1801. Andrew is the second a diploma in agriculture after generation of his family to farm school”. His main motivations here after his father took on the at this stage in his life were the lease in 1967, just over 50 years variety of jobs throughout the ago. He’s essentially farmed year, watching the wheat markets here all his life, being brought to find high points in the market up with his father farming – and taking on the challenge here, but “officially” it’s about that is Scotland’s ever-changing 30 years since he completed weather! his agricultural diploma and has been a partner for many What crops do you grow here years. Andrew’s parents retired at Harlaw Farm? two years ago. Catherine “We grow three main crops on had previously worked as an a rotational basis: winter wheat,

page 12 Harlaw FARM continued winter barley and oilseed rape. types – this saves on applying And your least favourite? We grow these three in rotation excess fertiliser where it isn’t “We’d both agree our least as it spreads out our harvest needed, which is better for the favourite job would be a toss-up time, and is much better for consolidate the seed bed, and environment and easier on the between back-breaking stone managing the soil. If we grew finally apply pre-emergent purse too!” lifting and muddy field drain just wheat, for example, we’d herbicide. Then we hope repairs”. be restricted to about a ten-day for a fairly cold winter with a Technology has also had quite harvest period. With the three good amount of frost in Jan an impact on the workforce too. Is the farm part of any crops our harvest time spreads and Feb as this helps kill off Andrew’s father would have had conservation or stewardship across August and September”. pests and diseases before we about four full time workers plus schemes? begin spraying and fertilising himself and his wife working on “5% of our farm is involved in what Where do your crops end up? from March. With a good bit of the farm, whereas now with the we call ‘greening’. This covers our “Winter barley goes to livestock sunshine and enough rain the machinery available it can be treelines, hedgerows and field feed, oilseed rape for use in wheat crop will be ready for run by just the two, with a few margins which are protected for biodiesel or food-oils, and wheat harvest come early September”. additional workers brought in at wildlife. It’s a bit trickier for us to goes into the drinks industry to harvest time. take part in some of the larger produce base spirit for a range Is technology a big part of stewardship schemes as we don’t of alcohols”. farming nowadays? What’s your favourite job on fit enough criteria, and being “Yes, definitely: we’ve the farm? tenant farmers, you can’t always Wheat sounds interesting, tell been using satellite-tracker “It has to be harvest time sitting be certain you can remain in the me more about how you grow technology in our machines for in the combine harvester. It’s a scheme for the required length of and harvest it. the past 12 years. These trackers culmination of all the hard work time”. “90% of wheat grown in are programmed with detailed you’ve put in since the previous Scotland goes into the drinks soil maps of each field which autumn and you get to marvel What are the biggest changes industry so it is a sought- allow for efficient planting and at the satellite technology seen in agriculture over the after crop! We plant wheat fertilising regimes. For example, operating the machines. Once past 50 years? in autumn. First you plough, when applying fertilisers, the you’ve programmed in the In the 60s when Andrew’s father then harrow and drill the seed, trackers allow application rates course for the combine it can began farming nearly all farms roll to conserve moisture, and to vary depending on the soil self-steer to within 30mm”. were mixed. Everyone would have

page 13 Harlaw FARM continued a few fields set aside for growing relationship between the tenant- we wouldn’t see a good enough this through some irresponsible potatoes. His father had 1000 farmer and landlord has changed return if we kept livestock too, or dog ownership. Picking out hens, grew potatoes and turnips, a lot since the Land Reform Act tried to set up a new business”. dog poo bags from combine and kept sheep, beef cattle 2003. It has made things a bit machines, and dogs running and pigs. With technological more corporate in how they deal What kind of changes have you through and flattening the crops advancements it became easier with each other. We’ve witnessed seen in the local area through are just a couple of examples. It is and more profitable to focus on many landlords taking back your years farming here? important that everyone is aware one type, so most of this mixed control of tenant farms once the “When we were at school most that they are walking through a farming has disappeared. Most tenants retire. They can then kids had a connection to a farm, working farm when they come businesses are now dedicated become contracted out to large be it growing up on it, or they here, and that crop fields are to one focus e.g. potato, dairy, agribusinesses. It is getting had an aunt or uncle that ran worth thousands of pounds of poultry, beef or sheep farms. This harder for people to start out in a farm. And whether you were income to us – let alone they is largely down to the investment farming if you aren’t attached to a from a farm or not you would might end up in your food or required to make a profit: it is farm already”. spend your school holidays out drink! Scotland’s outdoor access easier to focus on one type of tattie-picking, so we had a closer laws allow unrivalled access to farming than spread it out over a We see a lot of diversification connection with agriculture large parts of the countryside, but variety of methods. happening on farms nowadays: growing up. This helped us this does not apply to crop fields: have you ever considered this? understand and respect the land. you must keep to the margins “In our time farming we’ve also “We have seen this ourselves with We’ve both certainly noticed the and tracks, and not go into the witnessed the boom of what we our friends who run farms, but for increase in the dog population, crops or let your dog run loose call ‘agribusinesses’. These are now we don’t see the need. We’ve and more people getting out into in them. We’d love for a little bit huge farming enterprises run always farmed crops here, it’s the countryside for their leisure more understanding from people, by contractors, some working where our expertise lies. We’ve pursuits. Unfortunately, we have and for them to respect the land over 10,000 acres each. The invested a lot into our machinery: suffered the negative impacts of we make our livelihood from”.

page 14 The green hairstreak flies in May; in 2017 the weather was poor meaning we saw just two, while Butterflies last year the weather was much better and we saw 37 in one area. The small pearl-bordered 2018 saw one of the warmest, driest fritillary which flies in June, saw 2017 being the best year since we summers for many years. A good year started recording with 39 seen until for butterflies? How will it affect 2019? last year which was even better with 45 spotted. Fingers crossed we have more again this year.

A butterfly that took advantage of the good summer last year was the small copper. It has utterflies which is the most two generations a year, so the being common in the butterflies that emerged from Bcold- Hills, but as their chrysalises in May or early June blooded require caterpillar feeds on laid eggs and the caterpillars the suns heat to cuckoo flower, which developed into butterflies that flew enable them to is a plant of damp in August. One I saw at Harlaw is be active. When grassland (not much of in the photo. the temperature that around last summer), is above 14 degrees we may find this butterfly this Climate Change is affecting butterflies can fly, feed, mate and year is not as common. butterflies. Those species that lay their eggs more easily. wander are able to re-colonise The butterflies we are more areas because of the warmer You may have noticed more interested in are the locally rare weather. One species which is butterflies last year, particularly green hairstreak and the small spreading north and was first the “white ones”. These are pearl-bordered fritillary. Members reported seen in the Hills in 2018 small whites and were the most of the public are welcome to come is the speckled wood. This brings common butterfly seen in the on our surveys and it is always a the total number of species found Pentland Hills in 2018. I would shame if they do not get to see in the Regional Park to 19. guess many of them had come any butterflies. Favourable weather from Continental Europe. Most when the butterfly flies enables Victor Partridge years, it is the green-veined white them to increase their population. Natural Heritage Officer

page 15 Wondering what Scottish Water is doing in the Pentland Hills?

brief will be in place during network by installing new mains work in these areas to ensure to ensure a more resilient supply any archaeological remains are of fresh water. This will improve located and recorded. resilience of water supplies in Scotland’s fastest-growing Elsewhere a tunnel crossing city by allowing customers to will also be dug under the A702 be supplied from two different Work has begun on the installation of seven Biggar Road near Hillend to locations if necessary. miles of new pipes to help deliver fresh, avoid major disruption at this busy road when work takes place The extended network will also clean drinking water to more than 165,000 here in 2019. have the capacity to link to other people in Edinburgh and the Lothians. existing and future water supplies Local schools, businesses and across parts of the south of residents as well as community Scotland. he first cut has been at between Marchbank Water groups are being kept updated on the foot of the Pentland Treatment Works, near Balerno, the project. Lorries bringing the Scott Fraser, Scottish Water THills near Balerno. Already and Glencorse Water Treatment pipes to the construction areas Regional Corporate Affairs the first few hundred metres of Works. Construction is mostly are traveling on surrounding Manager, said: “It is exciting to pipe have now been installed. taking placing on private land roads at quieter times of the day see the start of this essential On average around 75 metres of and being carried out by Scottish and noise and disruption is being project to make the water supply pipe is being laid every day. Water alliance partner Caledonia kept to a minimum. for many of our customers Water Alliance. more resilient. As always, we The first sections of pipe being Scottish Water is committed to thank everyone impacted by laid measure 500mm in width The construction team has minimising disruption and will our works for their patience and and each weigh one tonne. The worked hard to overcome a keep residents, businesses, understanding.” bright blue plastic pipe has a number of challenges in the area landowners and land users – cover on both ends to protect the including the proximity of parts of including hill walkers – notified of For further information please inside of the pipe and these are the site to overhead power cables. where the work is being carried contact the Scottish Water press only taken off just as the pipes Also, part of the pipe line will go out and any diversions in place. office on 0131 4456882. are connected by hand. Over near a military training area and the coming months a two-way practise trenches which date back The £20 million investment www.scottishwater.co.uk treated water link will be created to World War One. A watching will improve the water supply www.facebook.com/scottishwater

page 16 Area REPORT Dreghorn / Castlelaw / Flotterstone to Carlops

A hot summer 2018 brought out obligation to restore these tracks quite a few families intent on to their original condition, and the picnicking and barbecuing by the landowners have been doing their burn at Flotterstone, with very little best to do so – not helped by a trouble associated; it seems the gang of illegal off-roaders tearing wildfire warning signage actually up the Red Road, aided by a JCB! had an effect. The Information Eastside are planning to replant Point / café and car park conifers by the Monk’s Rig, as well continued to be busy, with parking as two broadleaf sites at Green out to (and onto) the trunk Cleugh, which will be beneficial for road one day. We were in the biodiversity of the Park. a slow negotiation with Scottish Water with a Finally, many thanks must go view to taking over to the unrelenting work of the the Flotterstone filter litter crew from Friends of the beds area, to make Pentlands, who returned to the it more accessible car park at Dreghorn last summer. to people, and This area suffers from frequent perhaps have littering, and the hardy crew often some associated that the view to prevent this, but please do needed strong stomachs to clear interpretation about over Glencorse contact us if you feel a group the mess on a fortnightly basis. the history of the water is magic! The Glen is causing disturbance to other Following the closure of the car supply infrastructure. However, saw some disturbance by users of the Park. park due to Scottish Water works, it now seems that this won’t a film crew in mid-September: the Friends have now started be possible due to planned despite only having permission Eastside Farm have extracted litter-picking at both Harlaw and installation of a replacement for two vehicles, they drove up the their conifer plantations, with Flotterstone, alongside their usual pipe from the reservoir. This area glen with eight large vans and a associated tracks created high work at Bonaly and Hillend. has also proven popular with landrover, much to the annoyance on the ridge by the Kips. This groups booking private guided of those trying to use this private caused some consternation: it Tommy McManmon walks – common consensus is road. We can only do so much should be noted that there is an Natural Heritage Officer

page 17 Area REPORT Harlaw

In April we held a ‘Responsible Access’ event at Harlaw. This event got a variety of organisations together to highlight responsible access to the wide range of user groups in the Pentland Hills Regional Park. British Horse Society, Sustrans, Ministry of Defence, Police a reminder to visitors that these fires to be extinguished. Despite of hungry visitors with their home Scotland and the Environmental areas are especially important this we did have a few close calls baked goodies. Woodlands Wardens attended and provided for sheep lambing and ground with unattended fires spreading, school have also been out information to the visitors on the nesting birds. but thanks to reports from vigilant over the winter with the Friends day. Our Senior Natural Heritage visitors and landowners we were of the Pentlands to carry out Officer, Jenny Hargreaves As I’m sure you are all aware able to catch them quickly. some much-needed winter also led a guided walk around Scotland and the rest of the maintenance around Harlaw. Harlaw and Threipmuir. This UK experienced an unusually As always, we’ve had lots of Malleny Angling Association ran was a great opportunity to dry summer in 2018, with little volunteer involvement from the another successful ‘Hooked on promote the Scottish Outdoor to no rain falling for weeks at Friends of the Pentlands who Harlaw’ day which got lots of Access Code and our seasonal a time. This has brought with have carried out several work people trying out fly fishing for the campaigns. Speaking of seasonal it an increase in people out days during 2018 in the area. first time and tasting the catch of campaigns, in 2018 we trialled enjoying the countryside but This included path improvements the day fresh off the BBQ. Keep the use of some extra signage unfortunately along with this we around Harlaw Reservoir which an eye out for the What’s On in to help highlight key areas for saw incidences of camping litter will enable a smoother run the Pentland Hills posters and sheep lambing and ground increase and danger of wildfires for their mobility scooter. The join one of our guided walks or nesting birds. These signs were from irresponsible fire lighting and gardening squad at Harlaw activities in 2019. developed after concerns were BBQing. During July and early Wildlife Garden continued to raised by landowners about August, we asked that no fires be work hard keeping the garden Meryl Norris an increase in occurrences of lit in the Hills and during regular blooming and the fundraising Natural Heritage Officer disturbance. They were placed patrols we continued to speak to team held their ever-successful along popular routes to act as people about the risks and ask for tea and cake days, feeding lots

page 18 Area REPORT Harperrig / Threipmuir / Swanston / Hillend / Boghall

Last summer we concentrated on are doing and so a tall fence has keeping the path infrastructure in been be built around them to a good state of repair. Thanks to protect the saplings. Of course, a group from Ramblers Scotland access through the Green Cleugh who are now regularly helping-out will not be affected, in fact it will twice a year, a bridge and set of be improved as the stile on the steps at Boghall Farm have been path will be replaced with a self- replaced and at Hillend Country closing gate. Park a stile replaced with a self- closing gate. We have been putting our Path Furniture Inventory to good use. Our Estate Team have repaired This is a list of the 1687 items steps and a stile at Leithhead, a gate which are necessary for access at Harperrig and filled in the pot- along the 100km of Pentland holes at Little Vantage Car Park. Path, for example gates, way marking, steps and drains. We About seven years ago, thousands were able to use it to find out of native broadleaved trees that of the 78 wooden signs, were planted around Harperrig some needed refurbishing, Reservoir. This will help the but not sustained munching. It Over Winter, trees have been some need replacing and a few wildlife in the area, by providing was not easy to find someone with planted by the landowner in part were not needed anymore. The food and shelter in what could be the skills and willingness to do the of the Green Cleugh. Wildlife Estate Team sanded-down and called a bleak landscape. Most of repairs, but in July a Stonemason often uses valleys to get from one repainted those that needed the trees are doing well and are repaired the walls and now the place to another and so once the tidying up and removed those transforming the view. However, trees can start to put some height trees grow in this sheltered spot, no longer required. We then in a couple of plantations, sheep on. In November, Castlelaw the woodland should provide bought new ones to replace those have found holes in the drystane Scouts (from Fairmilehead) home for some interesting birds beyond repair or missing. dykes, made their way in and planted native 300 trees (donated and mammals. However, wildlife chewed the young saplings. Small by the Woodland Trust) at particularly hare and deer do Victor Partridge trees can cope with a few nibbles Harperrig Reservoir. not always appreciate what you Natural Heritage Officer

page 19 Area REPORT Bonaly Area

covering approximately 300m2 (roughly half the size of a football pitch) of gorse and newly planted trees. The fire brigade had to close the Country Park as the smoke created by the fire was so dense. I hope to have volunteers come out over the summer to cut back the dead gorse and plant new trees in the winter. We currently have a fire ban in place and suspect that if this dry weather continues, a fire ban will be in place over the Last summer we had lots of sunny entire summer. The most unusual task to deal can open it during the week. weather which meant we had with last summer, was the rescue Progress has been made and lots of campers. In general, the September saw damage to of three deer from the fenced we are currently in the process campers were well behaved but several larch trees caused by plantation on White Hill. It took of gaining ownership of the land we still had eight large fires, two of a storm. They had fallen over three attempts with a total of 40 from MacTaggart and Mickel. which burned for over four weeks paths but were cut down and volunteers to rescue two doe’s Once in CEC ownership, the land due to the dry peaty soil that is made safe by the CEC Forestry and a young deer. Thankfully the will be used to increase the car found in Bonaly. The worst was Service. 150 trees were planted deer had plenty of food to eat park facilities, be leased out to beside Whiteside Plantation (at over the Winter by the Friends of and looked in good condition event organisers and upgrade the Clubbiedean Reservoir side of the Pentlands below Sanctuary and ran into the woodland. a section of path that will help the Country Park); the fire brigade Wood and a beat-up survey deter visitors from walking up the attended three times and was dug was carried out on the Torduff Some of you may be aware road. We hope to gain funding out daily for weeks by PHRP staff. Hill Tree Plantation which led that for the last few years, we this year to carry out the works. to a replacement of 30 trees have been trying to change the This year we had a massive and redundant tree tubes being conditions to our lease for the Paula Newton fire occur on Easter Sunday, removed. overflow car park so that we Natural Heritage Officer

page 20 Art Pentland Inspirations Robert Coleman – There will be Frogs. Art and Photographic Competition 2018/19 William Wood – Pentland Hills S.E Towards Harbour and Bells Hill. Once again, the entries to this year’s Pentland Inspirations Best Art Activity Photograph Competition fulfilled and in Janet Dyer – Chris Inglis – City Lights. many cases surpassed the Lakeside Turf Dwayne Telford – Riding off into brief of “Your Pentlands, your the Sunset. Inspiration!”. A total of 48 Best Activity Robin Silander – Boys Best entrants, with 103 photographs Peter Lang Friend. and 8 paintings were entered. – Hill Runner Many of the entrants entered for Biodiversity Photograph the first time and it is lovely so Best Daniel Reiser – Branched. see that Pentland Inspirations Biodiversity Stephen Hamilton – Frogs is connecting with a new Photograph Gathering. audience. Stephen Steve Chambers – Top of the Hamilton Wall, MA. The judges found It very difficult – Badger Cubs to choose only one commended First Wander Landscape Photograph in all categories, with some Dougie Cockburn – Done having three chosen. This goes Best Landscape Photograph Fishin. to show just how inspiring the Craig Graham – Winter Walk Dwayne Telford – South Ridge paintings and photographs @ Night. were! Peter Lang – Hillend Ski Centre. The exhibition of this year’s competition has been seen by audiences in Edinburgh, Mid Lothian and West Linton so far and is currently touring West Lothian until June.

Paula Newton Natural Heritage Officer

page 21 Friends of the Pentlands is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation. Registered in Scotland No: SC035514

Friends of the Pentlands

Friends of the Pentlands send twice-yearly magazine. When the decided that we would aim to For more information on the congratulations to the Pentlands Regional Park was designated serve the whole of the Pentlands, activities of Friends of the Regional Park on the occasion in 1986 not all local authorities as bounded by the A70 to Pentlands, visit the website: of the 50th edition of Pentland bought in to it, so the Park covers Carnwath and the A721 and A720 www.pentlandfriends.org.uk Beacon. On a personal note, may less than half of the Pentland roads back to Hillend. I, as editor of our Pentland Post, Hills area. David Syme congratulate Paula Newton editor Throughout our existence we Friends of the Pentlands of the Beacon for the consistently Our founder, Dr Robin Aitken, have enjoyed a healthy, symbiotic high quality of articles and had been a Voluntary Ranger relationship with the Regional graphics over the years. in the Pentland Hills Regional Park Service. We cooperate on Park. Frustrated that illness funding projects such as the Pentland Hills Regional Park and prevented him from continuing to Bavelaw bird hide, on access Pentland Beacon? Friends of the roam the hills he responded with and promotional projects and Pentlands and Pentland Post? enthusiasm to the suggestion on maintenance work within the Readers might wonder how a that he form a “Friends of” Park boundaries. Long may this small range of hills needs two organisation. Our first meeting happy relationship flourish! organisations, each with its own was held in 2003, when it was

page 22 1 2 3 Guess the Locati n Competition

How well do you think you know the Pentland Hills Regional Park?

Do you think you can correctly guess what is shown in each picture and its location? 4 5 If you think you can, email [email protected] with your eight answers.

All correct entries will be put into a draw, with three winners will be chosen on Friday 28th June. The winners will receive a Pentland Hill Regional Park branded water bottle.

Follow us on Edinburgh Outdoors on Twitter for clues.

6 7 8

page 23 EVENTS: Activities and wildlife surveys

JUNE JULY Pentlands Powerhouse OCTOBER Guided Walk Butterfly Survey Hillend Wildflower Survey Sunday 11 August From Fire and Ice Guided Walk Wednesday 19 June Friday 19 July Discover how humans have shaped Sunday 27 October and Thursday 27 June Help us survey the wildflowers in the landscape in the Pentland Hills. Come and find out how the Help us survey one of the last our managed meadow at Hillend Low level 7-mile walk. Guaranteed Pentland Hills were created from remaining colonies for Small Pearl- Country Park. sighting of six reservoirs! volcanoes and glaciers on this bordered Fritillary butterfly. Meet: Hillend Country Park upper Meet: Bonaly Country Park moderate low level 7-mile walk. Meet: Threipmuir car park car park (next to ski slope) Time: 10:30am-3:30pm Over 16s only. Time: 1:30-3:30pm Time: 1:30-3:30pm Bring: Sturdy footwear, Meet: Threipmuir car park Bring: Boots or wellies and Bring: Sturdy footwear, waterproofs/sun protection. Time: 10:30am-3pm binoculars if you have them. waterproofs/sun protection. Packed lunch and drink. Bring: Sturdy footwear, FREE FREE Cost: £10, £5 concession waterproofs, packed lunch and drink. Pond Dipping* Woodland Adventure* Bavelaw Wildflower Survey Cost: £10, £5 concession Sunday 30 June Saturday 27 July Monday 12 August Explore the underwater world Come and explore Sanctuary Help us survey the wildflowers DECEMBER of Harlaw wildlife pond. woods with games and activities. on this Site of Special Scientific Meet: Harlaw House Visitor Centre Suitable for ages 5-8 years. Interest. Christmas Wreath workshop Time: 11am-1pm Meet: Bonaly Country Park Meet: Threipmuir car park Wednesday 11 December Bring: Sturdy footwear, Time: 10:30am-12:30pm Time: 1:30-3:30pm Make a beautiful Christmas wreath waterproofs/sun protection. Bring: Sturdy footwear, Bring: Sturdy footwear, for your home using a variety of Cost: £3 per child waterproofs/sun protection. waterproofs/sun protection. festive foliage. Cost: £3 per child FREE Meet: Harlaw Visitor Centre Butterfly Survey Time: 10am-12pm or 1:30-3:30pm Thursday 18 July Bring: Gardening gloves and Help us look AUGUST SEPTEMBER secateurs if you have them. for the rare Teddy Bear’s Adventure* Map and Compass Cost: £20 (Mince pie and hot drink Northern included!) Brown Argus Thursday 8 August Training Course butterfly. Barnaby the Pentland bear is going Saturday 21 on an adventure. He’s looking September Meet: BOOKING ESSENTIAL Carlops village for young explorers to join him. For beginners or Suitable for ages 6 and under. people needing a refresher, basic Under 18s must be accompanied car park by an adult. Surveys will only Time: 1:30-3:30pm Meet: Harlaw House Visitor Centre skills for navigating when walking in Time: 10:30am-12:00pm the countryside. go ahead in suitable weather Bring: Sturdy footwear and conditions. To book and for more binoculars if you have them Bring: Sturdy footwear, Meet: Harlaw House Visitor Centre information contact Pentland Hills FREE waterproofs/sun protection. Time: 9:30am-4pm Cost: £3 per child Bring: Outdoor gear, packed lunch Regional Park: 0131 529 2401 or and compass if you have one. [email protected] Cost: £45 per person

page 24 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 19-4934. 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 Hermitage of Braid Supported by: 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 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 to the Scottish Public Services Newsletter are copyrighted to the following Ombudsman, 23 Walker Street, The Service is supported by photographers, artists and organisations: David Buchanan, Steve Chambers, Ela Dzimitko, Edinburgh, EH3 7HX. Telephone the City of Edinburgh Council, Alan Laughlin, Victor Partridge and Think Stock.

0870 011 5378. Generally, if you Midlothian Council, West Lothian Designed by the City of Edinburgh Council. Chief Executive want to do this, you must contact Council and Scottish Water. 18.092/CE/SG/May 2019. the Ombudsman within one year.