Pentland Hills Regional Park Annual Report 2012/2013 PAGE 2

Caring for the hills, so that the landscape and habitat is protected and enhanced.

Pentland Hills Annual Report 2012/13 2 Chairman’s Report

Since its designation in 1986, In these challenging economic The Regional Park remains a The Pentland Hills Regional times, all local government vibrant place where outdoor Park has set out to provide a expenditure is under pressure. recreation is enjoyed by over managed recreational resource It is more important than ever 600,000 visitors each year. for the people of Edinburgh, that services are delivered the Lothians and beyond. The efficiently and provide real There are opportunities and attraction of the Pentland Hills benefits for those that use challenges for the Park and is largely based on their upland them. The benefits of outdoor rising to them requires the landscape character and the recreation and the value sustained input from services excellent access provided by derived from the experience provided by local authority over 100km of managed paths of visiting places such as the partners and by the many and related facilities such Pentland Hills can be difficult volunteers and land managers as car parks, visitor centres, to measure. The results of a working together. I am pleased information, signage and way- Social Return on Investment that 2012/13 represents another marking. Study, carried out in 2012/13, busy year for the Regional Park were therefore welcomed at and I do hope that you enjoy This recreational access takes this time. reading about some of the place on land that is mainly highlights in this Annual Report. owned and managed for other The study carried out by purposes such as farming, Greenspace Scotland and military training, public water commissioned by the City of Councillor Bill Henderson supply and upland estate Edinburgh Council found that Chairman management. For recreation to for every £1 of public money Pentland Hills Regional Park co-exist and thrive alongside invested, the value of benefits these primary land uses, a derived ranges between £7 level of active management and £13. This indicates that is required. Management the investment in visitor and services are provided and countryside management funded by the three partner services in the Regional Park local authorities: the City of is of real benefit to the people Edinburgh Council, Midlothian who use them. These include Council and West Lothian active recreational visitors, Council. Scottish Water is participants in events and also a funding partner for the organised activities, people Regional Park. enjoying nature, landscape and the peace of the hills and the people who live and work within them.

Pentland Hills Annual Report 2012/13 3 Annual Report Introduction

During 2012/2013 some The new service will continue The sharing of office and important changes were to manage the Pentland Hills administrative facilities will made to the governance and Regional Park on behalf of make more efficient use of management of the Pentland the City of Edinburgh Council, property and buildings. Hills Regional Park. Midlothian and West Lothian Councils. The Regional Park The role of the Pentland Hills The membership of the will continue to be managed in Regional Park is evolving, Consultative Forum was an integrated fashion and retain including the management reviewed and it was pleasing its own unique identity. From of services provided. The to welcome new members a visitor and land manager's success of the Regional Park to represent a wider range of perspective there should be depends on a wide range of interests including Community little noticeable change. Behind people, organisations and Councils, angling, mountain the scenes however, there interests all playing a part. biking, events management and are a number of operational Increasingly, the role of the land ownership. advantages. There is now a Regional Park Service is one larger pool of experienced of facilitation. Resources are The Regional Park headquarters staff available to support increasingly directed at helping at Boghall farm were vacated the Regional Park. Tools, others visit, enjoy and use the and moved to a new location equipment and other resources Pentland Hills responsibly. The at the Hermitage of Braid. The are shared, providing greater foundation of this has three office relocation was part of a flexibility and capacity to carry aspects. The first is maintaining wider service re-organisation out work where required. visitor facilities and access that saw the Pentland Hills infrastructure including paths, Ranger Service merge with signage and way marking, the City of Edinburgh Council car parks and visitor centres. Countryside Ranger Service.

Pentland Hills Annual Report 2012/13 4 The second is working with These changes both respond land managers and visitors to to the current economic advice and resolve issues as conditions and help put the they arise. The third is working Regional Park on a sustainable with other organisations and footing for the years ahead. interest groups to help meet Perhaps more importantly their needs with respect to the however, 25 years after its Regional Park. Examples of designation they represent the this are working with volunteers start of a new phase for the and community groups, Regional Park. This new phase working with and advising may be characterised less by event managers, working with greater focus on provision of outdoor learning providers meaningful support for the and working to support local range of interests and activities economic activity. that take place within its boundary – many of which are illustrated in this annual report for 2012/2013.

Alan McGregor Regional Park Manager

2012/2013 was another busy year for the Pentland Hills Regional Park.

Pentland Hills Annual Report 2012/13 5 The year's annual report is structured around:

Themes Nationally and locally relevant priority areas.

Outputs The work that has been carried out.

Outcomes What has been achieved as a result.

This approach is intended to illustrate how the Pentland Hills Regional Park supports the current priorities of the communities it serves.

Pentland Hills Annual Report 2012/13 6 Theme 1 Economic development

A thriving local economy in the The SROI exercise was carried Regional Park is important to out in consultation with those the people who live and work in most affected by the services the hills and to the people who provided in the Regional Park visit. and sought to identify the changes they experienced Outputs as a result. These included: individual visitors, community Social Return on Investment groups and community based In 2012/13, the City projects, volunteers, learning of Edinburgh Council providers, land owners and commissioned Greenspace managers, agencies and local Scotland to carry out an businesses. assessment of the social return on the collective The study found that every £1 investment made by partner invested generates around £9 local authorities in providing of benefits. countryside and visitor management services in the In addition to tangible benefits, Regional Park. the study concluded that people have a strong sense Social Return on Investment of affection for the Regional (SROI) uses an established Park and derive pleasure and approach to account for the enjoyment from it. This, the concept of value. It accounts report concluded, is much for the social, environmental harder to measure, but is and economic benefits of nevertheless an important services provided. quality to recognise.

Pentland Hills Annual Report 2012/13 7 The study also identified The SROI study demonstrates The Regional Park installed Midlothian Snowsports Outcome The Voluntary ways in which the Regional that local authority funding of seven new highly visible signs Centre Park could improve on and the Regional Park is delivering at key access points into In November 2012, Midlothian The Regional Park continues to Ranger Service better demonstrate the value real and tangible benefits the Flotterstone Glen area, Council completed a package support the local economy of was identified it provides. It is recommended experienced by the people highlighting the lambing season of major new improvements the hills. as being valued that in addition to measuring it serves and will help guide and the importance of effective to facilities at Midlothian service outputs, the Regional the future development of the control of dogs. Regional Snowsports Centre. £600,000 particularly Park should build on its ability services. The help and support Park staff also spent time at of improvements was made highly and to measure and demonstrate of both Greenspace Scotland weekends raising awareness by possible by an investment of therefore the outcomes resulting from and all those who contributed to handing out leaflets and giving £533,000 from SportScotland these services. There is an the study is greatly appreciated. information to members of the with the balance coming from a service opportunity to further develop public. The initiative resulted in the Boyd Anderson Trust. New that should partnerships with community Working with farmers and no animals being lost at Kirkton facilities include; 210m of new be further based groups and other public land managers Farm and Eastside Farm main slope, 60m of new nursery supported. agencies. The Voluntary Ranger A ‘sheep worrying initiative’ was had no incidences for a slope, significant upgrade Service was identified as being implemented in the Flotterstone second year. to existing nursery slopes valued particularly highly Glen area of the Regional and installation of new uplift and therefore a service that Park for the second year, in Pentland Produce equipment. should be further supported. partnership with Lothian and The Regional Park continued There is an appetite for further Borders Police. The initiative to support the work of The improvements strengthen strengthening communications was set up in response to an Pentland Produce by providing the Snowsports Centre as and relationships with land increase in sheep worrying by secretarial and administrative a premier venue of its type owners and managers. Lastly, dogs. support. In 2012/2013 Pentland in Europe and as a centre the need for a new visitor survey Produce made plans to refresh for both national sporting was identified to capture recent During the initiative, Lothian their website and considered excellence and grass roots changes in visitor numbers and and Borders Police patrolled how a wider range of services participation for the people patterns of recreational usage. the Flotterstone Glen area on such as fishery’s and holiday of Edinburgh, Midlothian and four out of five weekends, using accommodation, might be West Lothian. Located within specialised off-road vehicles incorporated. Although current Hillend Country Park and in the to access the upland sections market conditions mean that busy north eastern area of the and handed out 600 flyers sales of Pentland Produce Pentland Hills, the new facilities to the public highlighting the were relatively low, it was further enhance the range reasoning behind the initiative. recognised that the brand still of recreational opportunities has an important part to play in available in the Regional Park. supporting the local economy.

Pentland Hills Annual Report 2012/13 8 Theme 2 Health and well-being

The Regional Park is a place This system, established in for people to take physical August 2012, resulted in 25 exercise, to enjoy the outdoors issues being identified and and take a break from the resolved in the Midlothian area pressures of modern life. of the Regional Park, 30 in the City of Edinburgh Council area Outputs and 10 in West Lothian.

Site inspections Paths maintenance and A new system of site inspection improvements was introduced covering key All path works which took locations in the Regional Park. place during the year were These inspections monitor and ongoing maintenance. These record the condition and quality included drain clearing, small of visitor facilities at key access sections of path resurfacing points and other locations. and clearing culverts. They were carried out in-house The new system ensures that and with the assistance of matters needing attention volunteers, including, but not are identified and resolved limited to, the Friends of the quickly. Work generated from Pentlands, Balerno Ramblers the inspections is co-ordinated and Pentland Hills Voluntary by the Regional Park Service Rangers. and delivered in a number of different ways: directly by Plans are in place to carry out Regional Park staff, by other upgrade works on four sections local authority services, of path; Bonaly – Torduff, appointment of contractors, 500 metres; Cock Rigg, 450 or working with Friends, metres; Bonaly Reservoir, 330 community groups, and other metres; Clubbiedean Track, volunteers. This approach 250 metres. However, due to illustrates how looking after tendering delays these works the Regional Park depends on have been carried forward for a wide range of people and completion during financial organisations all playing a part. year 2013/14.

Pentland Hills Annual Report 2012/13 9 There has been a steady increase in the overall numbers and participants in outdoor events such as running, triathlons, cycling, horse riding and open water swimming.

Access infrastructure Visitor facilities information points and a wildlife Walking Festival and the importance of places Outcome Monitoring of paths and access A package of new work was watching screen. The screen The Pentland Walking Festival like the Regional Park as a infrastructure was carried out completed around Harperrig and a new bird hide on the was held over three days. Five venue for them. While this is The Regional Park has during routine site inspections Reservoir. The project, funded south shore of the reservoir guided walks were offered welcome, the cumulative effect managed an important by Regional Park staff and by LEADER and West Lothian were constructed by students attracting 69 participants. The on the path infrastructure, other resource for the people of weekend patrols by Voluntary Council, has improved visitor from Oatridge College. From Regional Park also led two people’s enjoyment of the hills Edinburgh and the Lothians Rangers. All maintenance access, facilities and landscape here visitors can view a variety guided walks as part of its and management operations to engage in active outdoor requirements were recorded within the Harperrig area. of animals and wildfowl. Finally, contribution to the Midlothian needs to be managed. The recreation – supporting health and carried out as part of the 25,000 trees were planted by and West Lothian Walking Regional Park continues to and well-being. Regional Park maintenance New signage was installed Central Scotland Forest Trust, festivals, with a total of 24 offer advice on responsible programme. to direct visitors from the A70 to improve the landscape and participants on each walk. access to events organisers as to Harperrig Reservoir. A create habitat for wildlife. well as helping land managers. Access management new visitor information panel Recreational events In addition to enquiries relating explains what to see and how Harlaw House Visitor Centre There has been a steady The Park aims to support to outdoor events in the to access the area responsibly. maintained its 3 star Visit increase in the overall numbers sustainable management of Regional Park 10 enquiries Two new walking routes have Scotland accreditation following and participants in outdoor recreational events and is relating to the Land Reform been way marked. The first is a light refurbishment of the events such as running, planning to establish a Working (Scotland) Act 2003 were also a 2.6 km path along the south building and repairs being triathlons, cycling, horse riding Group in 2012/2013 to this received. These related to wild shore of Harperrig Reservoir carried out to the main access and open water swimming. effect. camping, routes suitable for joining the path from Little track with 28m² of new tarmac. horse riding and access to the Vantage to the Cauldstane There were 26 events with 1880 reservoirs for the use of non- Slap. The second, called the Flotterstone Information Centre participants in 2011 and 36 motorised water craft. 'Woodpecker Walk' is a 500m, was refurbished with new events with 3356 participants self-guided trail around flooring, interior decoration and in 2012. This significant rise woodland incorporating three the installation of new display illustrates the increasing screen equipment. popularity of outdoor activities

Pentland Hills Annual Report 2012/13 10 Theme 3 Community partnership and participation

The Regional Outputs The number of forum meetings Work with Friends of the Volunteering in the Regional essential information on was reduced from four to Pentlands Park the condition of paths, Park serves the Consultative Forum Review two annually to make more The Friends of the Pentlands There are three main ways infrastructure, engage with communities The Consultative Forum was efficient use of resources. held an ‘Access for All’ volunteers can support the recreational users, assist within the hills, reviewed resulting in a number Elected members from event at Harlaw, facilitating Regional Park: with enquiries and provide of changes to improve its ability the Joint Committee made environmental education for 19 information on the Scottish on the periphery to inform and influence the a commitment to attend individuals who were unable to 1. Conservation volunteers Outdoor Access Code. of the hills and work of the Joint Committee Consultative Forum meetings participate in physical exercise. receive a quarterly newsletter those that visit and the Regional Park Service. as a matter of routine. This will detailing practical tasks. Voluntary Rangers also help from further Membership was revised provide a closer relationship The Regional Park also worked These tasks assist in park on guided walks and with to encourage input from a between advice from the with the Friends of the Pentlands management activities such biodiversity surveys. There away. Effective wider range of interests. All Forum and the decision making on an anti fly tipping initiative as wildflower meadow raking, are currently 29 Voluntary community community councils on the process of Joint Committee. at Dreghorn, ongoing litter invasive species removal Rangers who in 2012/13 partnership is periphery of the Park who Similarly, it was decided to hold picking activities and a range and path maintenance. The spent 99 days patrolling at expressed an interest were Consultative Forum meetings of practical conservation and Park aims to offer at least one weekends and a further 39 essential for invited to join. Representation in advance of Joint Committee maintenance activities. The conservation volunteer day days providing support for meeting their was also secured from meetings to allow the Forum Pentland Hills Regional Park per month. In 2012/13, nine other park management needs. angling, mountain biking, water to discuss relevant matters continues to benefit greatly from conservation sessions were activities. This represents a based recreation and events that the Committee may be the enthusiasm and hard work carried out in partnership with total support of 828 person management interests. These required to decide upon at a of the Friends. This support is the Friends of the Pentlands. hours from the Voluntary changes boosted attendance later stage. These changes acknowledged with thanks. Additionally, four conservation Ranger Service. This support and improved the quality of will be more efficient and bring volunteer days were held with is greatly appreciated. discussion at Forum meetings. key stakeholders closer to the 15 participants carrying out decision making process for path surfacing, vegetation 3. Volunteers can also take part the Park. removal, cutting back gorse in the public events – see and heather regeneration on under Learning, development the moorland. and responsible citizenship.

2. The Pentland Hills Voluntary In February a successful Ranger Service offers a joint training day was held longer term volunteering between the Pentland Hills opportunity. This requires Voluntary Ranger Service and a more invested training the Volunteer Wardens from process and a greater time Holyrood Park. The training commitment (at least eight focussed on outdoor access days annually). Voluntary legislation and its application rangers are trained to in practice. Participants learnt patrol the Regional Park about the Scottish Outdoor independently on pre Access Code and visitor arranged routes and provide management at other sites.

Pentland Hills Annual Report 2012/13 11 Community and corporate Pentland Inspirations Mountain biking groups Art and Photographic A group of interested volunteers The Regional Park supports Competition from the mountain biking partnership working with a The fifth biennial art and community contacted the wide range of organisations photographic competition was service wishing to ‘give a little including: held in 2012, 38 entrants back’. Projects were identified produced 61 photographs at Clubbiedean involving • environmental education and three paintings. The track repair, sleeper bridge providers photographs and paintings construction and an extension • health and wellbeing formed an inspiring exhibition of the path surface. Additional organisations and charities that went on a six month works included drainage and • award providers tour of 13 venues across the path improvements in the Green • forest school providers Lothians, Scottish Borders and Cleuch and ‘mountain bike • practical conservation South Lanarkshire. Sponsors friendly’ water bar installation on organisations and colleges of the competition were the Maidens Cleuch. • higher education Friends of the Pentlands and establishments. Mount Parnassus. Prizes Mountain bike activity at were supplied by Cicerone Bonaly in White Hill Wood The Regional Park hosted Press, Stenlake Publishing was monitored during 2012 13 community groups, Limited and Tiso. Pentland and a pro active way of engaging with 157 participants. Inspirations is a partnership managing the structures This included a group of 17 project between the Regional identified. The Regional Park Norwegian councillors who Park and the Friends of the engaged with users and wanted to learn how the Pentlands. discussed appropriate use of Regional Park promoted the the site, particularly looking Scottish Outdoor Access Code Neighbourhood at the impact on the natural and about its approach to partnerships environment, habitats and the visitor management. The Pentland Hills Regional safety of other visitors. Park was represented on the The Regional Park service also City of Edinburgh Council's work with corporate groups. Pentlands Neighbourhood Outcome Tasks are carefully selected to Partnership Environment and meet the needs of the groups Transport Group. The Group In 2012/2013, the Regional and to carry out works of direct provides a forum for community Park maintained a strong benefit to the Regional Park and engagement in transport and working relationship with the its visitors. Tasks include drain environment matters in the area communities it serves. clearance, tree tube removal, which includes much of the revetment construction, and self Regional Park within the City of seeded tree and shrub removal. Edinburgh Council boundary.

Pentland Hills Annual Report 2012/13 12 Theme 4 Learning, development and responsible citizenship

The Regional Outputs Regional Park events and Outdoor learning activities programme A review was initiated of how Park provides a Bonaly Antisocial Behaviour In 2012/13, 24 events and the service could support rich resource Problem Solving Partnership activities were delivered by outdoor learning in the for people to The Regional Park co-ordinated the Regional Park Service Regional Park. A survey was four Bonaly Problem Solving to engage with visitors and issued to schools and other learn about the Partnership meetings in promote responsible access outdoor learning providers. The countryside 2012/13. The Partnership is in the Regional Park. They results suggested the following and to foster supported by Lothian and offer opportunities for people support would be of benefit: an attitude of Borders Police, the City of to assist with biodiversity Edinburgh Council’s South surveying, practical 1. Bringing together and care and respect West Community Safety team conservation tasks, take part supplementing existing for both the and Environmental Wardens in guided walks and family support resources including: environment and and the Regional Park. orientated days out. • maps showing access points, path surface, gradient those who live Scottish Outdoor Access The programme involved a total and accessibility and work in the Code (SOAC) promotion of 302 participants. Activities • identification of good places hills. The SOAC was promoted included: for specific learning activities through leaflets and displays in • 11 biodiversity surveys (32 • public transport information Harlaw House Visitor Centre and participants) • direction to topic based Flotterstone Information Centre, • three activity afternoons at information and resources on the Regional Park website, Harlaw House Visitor Centre • provision of equipment to all publications and face to (124 children and 67 adults) borrow. face contact with the public. • a family friendly cycling event, The Regional Park Service also ‘Pedal the Pentlands’ as part 2. Use of new technology attended two community events of National Bike Week (six to access resources and in partnership with Lothians and participants) information. Borders Police to promote the • three map and compass SOAC: courses (21 participants); 3. Provision of targeted, site • Penicuik High School and four events as part of the based training for teachers to promote responsible Pentlands Walking Festival and other outdoor learning camping (520 participants). (52 participants). providers to increase • Oxgang Community Safety confidence about bringing Day to promote wearing groups to the Regional Park. appropriate clothing while visiting the Regional Park (304 participants).

Pentland Hills Annual Report 2012/13 13 Information and Dreghorn fly tipping project The green dog walking New Parks Management Interpretation Dreghorn was highlighted as scheme Rules • Produced two issues of the a problem area for litter and The City of Edinburgh Council In 2012/13 the City of Pentland Beacon magazine fly tipping. After an initial joint secured a licence to operate Edinburgh Council that is now available as an clear-up, the Friends of the the green dog walker scheme. introduced a new set of interactive PDF. Pentlands offered to carry out The scheme is a community Parks Management Rules. • Produced and distributed regular monthly litter picking led initiative which encourages These can be applied to 4,500 copies of the ‘Enjoy from January 2012. Building people to proactively engage land within the Regional Park the Pentland Hills Regional on this the Friends secured with the issue of dog fouling which is owned by the City Park’ publication – the annual a grant for £3,852 from Zero in their locality. It is likely that of Edinburgh Council, this events programme. Waste Scotland to improve the the scheme will be extended to includes Bonaly Country Park • Produced and distributed area and reduce fly tipping. In cover the Harlaw area which is and Harlaw and Threipmuir advertisement for the total 300 volunteer hours were a known problem area for dog Reservoirs. The new rules Pentland Inspirations committed to the project. fouling. In 2012/13 the Regional can be viewed at www. competition. Park worked closely with the edinburgh.gov.uk/parkrules • Working towards a Visit The funding was primarily used local Environmental Warden Scotland accreditation for to install preventative measures, service to reduce fouling at Outcome Flotterstone Information improve the general amenity Harlaw. Two fixed penalties Centre. of the area and reduce the were issued to dog owners who Park users and the wider • 21,899 leaflets and visitor likelihood of littering and fly failed to pick up after their dog. community were helped to guides uplifted by visitors tipping. understand more about the from visitor centres. rural environment and how to • 85,852 visits to the Regional The initiative aims to encourage enjoy it responsibly. Park website (1 April 2012 – people to use the car park 6 March 2013). in a more responsible way. The Friends of the Pentlands continue to monitor the site and have now started to turn their attention to measures to reduce dog fouling in the locality.

Pentland Hills Annual Report 2012/13 14 Theme 5 Environmental quality and climate change

Outputs

Biodiversity of bird populations on Bonaly An area of cherry trees/hazel As part of our ongoing work to The Regional Park continued to moorland. Bat boxes were coppice and compost was promote biodiversity monthly support and be key members checked at Harlaw by licensed turned over by the Green Team information sheets were of the Edinburgh Biodiversity Natural Heritage officers and as part of their John Muir produced to encourage regular Partnership Steering Group and the Lothians Bat Group did Award. Work started on the visitors to the Regional Park to the Raising Awareness Working their annual monitoring of bat new sensory flowerbed, plants submit ad hoc records via a Group and is responsible for boxes at Flotterstone. were removed from the existing spreadsheet to supplement our delivering many of the actions raised bed by the Friends of records. Three family activity relating to the Local Biodiversity Habitat management involved the Pentlands. The plants were days were delivered: Action Plan. 500 juniper cuttings taken over-wintered by Woodlands • Spring Watch (44 attended) from Castlelaw and given High School as part of their • The Five ‘B’s (70 attended) Surveying work included a to Inch Nursery for growing John Muir Award and these • The Big Bird Feed (77 Phase One Habitat survey on. One day of controlled plants will then go into Hillend attended); provided of Bonaly Country Park, heather burning for habitat Wildflower Meadow. information for six students monitoring of vegetation by improvement was undertaken doing a Wildlife and fixed point photography at on Bonaly moorland. The An annual cut of all managed Conservation Degree at Bavelaw Marsh SSSi, The Friends of the Pentlands cut wildflower meadows was Napier University and gave Howe SSSi and Hillend and raked the wildflower carried out. two presentations and site Wildflower Meadow. New meadow at Bavelaw Marsh. visits for students studying at monitoring started on the path Scotland’s Rural College. up Turnhouse Hill, Carnethy In Harlaw Garden the pond and Scald Law. Bumblebee was cleared of overgrowth of For more information please transects were carried out at vegetation, trees were pruned see the Natural Heritage Bonaly Country Park. Surveys, at the entrance to the garden Service Nature Conservation with public involvement, for to make it more welcoming and Annual Report 2012 website: green hairstreak butterfly, large the wildflower meadow and www.pentlandhills.org/info/7/ red damselfly, small pearl- nectar borders cut and raked. publications/20/publications/4 bordered fritillary and common All work was carried out in blue butterfly/six-spot burnet partnership with the Friends of moth resulted in 33 people the Pentlands. attending. The Breeding Bird Survey methodology was used for monitoring the condition

Pentland Hills Annual Report 2012/13 15 One of the founding aims of the Regional Park is ‘Caring for the hills, so that the landscape and habitat is protected and enhanced.’ Working towards high environmental quality is at the heart of the Park Service’s work. Now, climate change poses new challenges and the Regional Park has an important part to play.

Woodland management Park, on the northern edge of Harlaw Hydro Scheme income for local community Outcome The main output during the the Pentland Hills. The proposal to install a small projects. Planning permission year in relation to woodland The Plan follows on from hydro scheme at Harlaw and water abstraction The Regional Park is management has been the the 2011 ‘Pentland Hills Reservoir took a step forward licences were secured, a site maintained as an area of production of the ‘Pentland Woodland Action Plan’, a in 2012/2013. The scheme lease agreed with the City high environmental quality. Hills North-East Slopes broad-based assessment of aims to utilise existing outflow of Edinburgh Council in its The Park’s woodland and Woodland Expansion and existing woodland and planting from Harlaw Reservoir to capacity as reservoir owners moorland habitats provide a Management Plan’, produced opportunities within five core generate electricity through a and fund raising activities ‘carbon sink’, and its natural by Mark Hamilton Landscape areas in the Pentland Hills small turbine. progressed. resources are starting to Service on behalf of Lothians Regional Park. The Woodland support low carbon, micro and Fife Green Network Expansion and Management Following initial progress The scheme represents a renewable energy schemes at Partnership. The purpose Plan for Bonaly Country by Balerno Village Trust, welcome addition at Harlaw and a community level. of the Plan was to identify Park has built on the outline an Industrial and Provident will enable wider community and specify proposals for management opportunities Society has been established benefit from the existing woodland creation and identified in this earlier study to own and operate the reservoir infrastructure as management opportunities on and has developed a set of scheme. The scheme aims to well as contributing towards the City of Edinburgh Council firm proposals, suitable for generate some 260,000kwh of reducing carbon emissions. landholding at Bonaly Country implementation. renewable energy and provide

Pentland Hills Annual Report 2012/13 16 Financial Report The financial report refers to the year ending 31st March 2013. These accounts are unaudited at this stage.

Expenditure £ Employee costs 222,495 Property costs 39,657 Transport costs 6,278 Supplies and services 21,477 Support services 50,530

Total expenditure 340,437

Income Scottish Water 10,000 Sales 805

10,805

Funding contributions The City of Edinburgh Council 256,389 Midlothian Council 58,102 West Lothian Council 15,140

329,631

Total 340,437

Pentland Hills Annual Report 2012/13 17 The Pentland Hills Regional Park Facts and figures at a glance

date of park designation length of path maintained volunteering 1986 Approx 4km of active management 29 Voluntary rangers 138 Volunteer days (828 hrs) 12 Community groups 157 Participants Bird Hide Path 260m Harlaw ditch maintenance 30m estate Drains on Ridge 1km Area of park 10,000 ha Maidens Cleuch Drain works 2.5km events (38sq miles) Green Cleuch Scree Slope works 50m 24 Events 302 Participants Car parks 14 Threipmuir car park to Easter Bavelaw 200m of repairs approx. 12 Schools/colleges 268 Participants Key access point 25 Pothole repairs on Harlaw access road 28m² of tarmac laid approx. 11 Surveys 32 Participants Reservoirs 10 Vegetation cut back from paths at Torduff 10 Conservation groups 88 Participants Landowners 46 Removal of unsafe bridge at Daisy Dell Way-marked trails 100km Access gap in wall by Threipmuir arranged Annual visitor numbers 600,000 Ditches cleared communications Number of leaflets and visitor guides uplifted by visitors land manager support Discover the Pentland Hills Regional Park 12,615 Seasonal signs erected and removed 100 woodland managed Cycling in the Pentland Hills Regional Park 1,357 Sheep and lambing 20 Total area of woodland managed 48.7ha Horse riding in the Pentland Hills Regional Park 291 Lambing and bird nesting 40 Redford 1.7ha How to get to the Pentland Hills Regional Park by bus 885 Tupping 40 Harlaw access path 1.3ha Enjoy the Pentland Hills Regional Park 4,500 Harlaw reservoir woodlands 7ha Great Glen Mystery Walk 1,751 Clubbiedean reservoir 3.6ha Harlaw Biodiversity Trail 500 WHW, Sanctuary wood and Deanburn gorge 17.1ha recreational events Regional Park website visitors 85,852 Bonaly reservoir 11.0ha approx. Number of recreational events 36 Flotterstone 7ha approx. Number of participants in recreational events 3,356 Number of Joint Committee Meetings 2 per year Minor repairs only, e.g. replacement of damaged or Number of Consultative Forum Meetings 2 per year missing waymarking discs. No new signage installed. Average attendance at Consultative Forum 24

estate management Number of site inspections carried out 58 Number of corrective actions following site inspections: land reform (scotland) act 2003 The City of Edinburgh Council 30 scottish outdoor access code Mid Lothian Council 25 Number of access enquiries managed 10 West Lothian Council 10

Pentland Hills Annual Report 2012/13 18 Regional Park People Joint Committee Pentland Hills Regional Park Consultative Forum Met on 24 August 2012 Joint Committee Members Met on 22 February 2013 Met on 26 July 2012 Average number of people attending 24 Met on 25 January 2013 Consultative Forum Members Joint Committee Members Pentland Produce Alex Moir The City of Edinburgh Council Councillor Bill Henderson (Chair) Balerno Village Trust Allan Laing The City of Edinburgh Council Councillor Dominic Heslop Angling Arthur Howes The City of Edinburgh Council Councillor David Walker Balerno Community Council Hugh Watt Midlothian Council Councillors Lisa Beattie Farmers Bob Barr Midlothian Council Councillor Jim Bryant Kirknewton Community Council Caroline Garrard Midlothian Council Councillor Russell Imrie SportScotland Campbell Gerrard West Lothian Council Councillor Frank Tonner West Lothian Council Chris Alcorn Scottish Water Allan Fail Colinton Community Council Bruce Rae Scottish Natural Heritage John O’Keefe British Horse Society Constance Newbold Currie Community Council Graham Dane Regional Park Management Group Cycling James Hunter The City of Edinburgh Council Mr Keith Logie (Chair) Historic Scotland Deirdre Cameron West Lothian Council Mr Chris Alcorn Damhead Community Council Natalie Frankish Midlothian Council Mr James Kinch Ramblers Euan Scroggie Scottish Natural Heritage Ms Janice Winning East Calder Community Council Alan Wright Scottish Water Mr Allan Fail Fairmilehead Community Council Norman Tinlin Pentland Hills Regional Park Mr Alan McGregor Harperrig Graham Hamilton Scottish Government Rural Staff Members & Environment Directorate Helen E Jones Alan McGregor Natural Heritage and Regional Park Manager Hill Runners J Blair Fish Jenny Hargreaves Senior Natural Heritage Officer (Estate management) Midlothian Council James Kinch Susan Falconer Senior Natural Heritage Officer (Nature conservation and volunteering) Scottish Natural Heritage John O’Keefe Susan Dickson Senior Natural Heritage Officer (Communication and Visitor Experience) West Calder & Harburn Com Council John Smith Martin Duncan Natural Heritage Officer and Access Officer (CEC Access (50%), woodland) Orienteering Janet Clark Victor Partridge Natural Heritage Officer (Biodiversity, volunteering) Friends of Pentlands John Stirling Lee Rankin Natural Heritage Officer (Estate, paths and infrastructure) Juniper Green Community Council Neil Ingram David Kyles Natural Heritage Officer (Estate, Landscape and conservation) The City of Edinburgh Council Keith Logie Paula Bell Natural Heritage Officer (Interpretation and communication) Scottish Wildlife Trust Ken Knowles Caroline Paterson Natural Heritage Officer (SOAC and signage) MOD Maj. Kim Torp Petersen Velda Weir Natural Heritage Officer (Recreation, community engagement) Landowning Scott Patterson Gwen Stewart Administration Officer Penicuik Community Council Derek Cosens Jessica Morgado Natural Heritage Officer (Volunteering, maternity leave) Cycling Peter Reekie Sara Rasmunson Natural Heritage Officer (Maternity cover Oct/Mar) VisitScotland S Feltoe William Linnard Temp Assistant Estate Worker (Oct/Dec) West Linton Community Council Graham Tulloch Mike Wyzgowski Temp Assistant Estate Worker (Feb/present)

Pentland Hills Annual Report 2011/12 19 Pentland Hills Regional Park HQ Designed by the City of Many thanks to the following Hermitage of Braid Edinburgh Council photographers for allowing to 69A Braid Road Corporate Governance reproduce their images in this Edinburgh 13.159/SFC/SGe13 years annual report: EH10 6JF Front cover painting: Grant Campbell Telephone: Brian Petch 'A View' Steve Chambers You can get this document on 0131 529 2401 Mike Clarke tape, in Braille, large print and E-mail: Barbara Darcy various computer formats if [email protected] Sarah-Louise Davis you ask us. Please contact the Ela Dzimitko Interpretation and Translation Susan Napier Service (ITS) on 0131 242 8181 www.pentlandhills.org and quote reference number Charlie Ramsay 13-0268. The ITS can also Wendy Sodergren give information on community Pamela Wilson language translations. Vanessa Wilson

Y OUR COUNCIL – Y OUR ENVIRONMENT