Pentland Post
November 2009
Welcome to the November 2009 of Pentland Post. If you would rather you can download a copy of Pentland Post by clicking here so you can print off a copy and read at your leisure.
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Thanks
to the generosity of The Dulverton Trust we have been able to provide a small
bird hide at North Esk Reservoir. The reservoir is a nature reserve and home to
a colony of black- headed gulls. The supplier was a bit daunted when we told him
that the site was about a quarter of a mile beyond the end of the road. However,
our ‘workers’ were on hand to help ferry the sections to the construction site
and the job was completed in about 50 minutes.
We are continuing to litter pick, but just once a month over the winter. The wildflower meadow at Bavelaw has had its autumn cut and the cuttings have been bagged and removed. We have been in discussion with the landowner at Baddinsgill, by West Linton, regarding route improvements and are now tackling the tortuous task of helping to make a grant application.
The Secretary has 200 wildflower plugs to over winter and John Stirling is going to give a temporary home to 320 primrose plants, all of which will be planted out in the spring.
Following discussions with the Rangers we have programmed seven work days in November and two in December. We will be tackling path improvements between Hillend and Boghall, improving drainage in Phantom’s Cleuch, clearing trees around Harlaw and moving young trees at Flotterstone.
The September walk was cancelled due to rain. A traverse of Kitchen Moss is never dry but on 5 September it would have been like walking along a river bed! However, the strenuous, ten mile traverse from Crosswood to West Linton, via the Covenanter’s Grave on 17 October was completed on a truly glorious autumn day.
The last walk in 2009 will be on Saturday 5 December when John Surtees will lead a moderate, 6 mile circuit from Bonaly, via Torduff, Clubbiedean, Ranges Road and Harbour Hill. Join in and see the year out in style!
There is no change in status regarding developments at Calderstones, by Hillend, and the North Slipperfield Estate. Both properties are still for sale.
A Public Inquiry to determine the planning application for a wind farm at Auchencorth Moss will start on 19 January.
Scottish and Southern Energy carried out a public consultation exercise in October and are expected to submit a revised application for a wind farm at Harrows Law by the end of the year.
Once again Helen Aitken has produced a Society Christmas Card with the proceeds going to our funds. We are most grateful to Helen and Jim Armstrong for allowing us to use his ‘Highly Commended’ submission to the Pentland Inspirations Art and Photographic Competition for the illustration. The cards will be on sale at the talk at Merchiston Castle School on 12 November – large cards at £1.00 each or £5.00 for six or small cards at 50 pence each or £2.50 for six. Alternatively they can be ordered from Helen at East Redford House, Redford Road, Edinburgh EH13 0AS. Tel: 0131 441 2615 or by email to: helen.aitken@tiscali.co.uk
A cold day at Threipmuir
© Jim Armstrong
Senior
Ranger Susan Falconer and Midlothian’s Local Studies Officer, Ken Bogle, are
collaborating to produce a photographic history of the Pentland Hills. They are
looking for vintage or archive photographs of events such as Victorian rambling
clubs, plane crashes, Sunday school outings and folk doing daft things – the
older the better. If you can help please contact Susan at Boghall Farm, Biggar
Road, Edinburgh EH10 7DX. Tel: 0131 445 3383 or by email to:
susan.falconer@edinburgh.gov.uk
The annual Edinburgh and Lothians Archaeology Conference will be held at Queen Margaret University, Musselburgh, on Saturday 5 December. The programme will include items on abandoned Pentland farms and the excavation of a prehistoric homestead at Ravelrig Quarry. A full programme and booking form can be found at: www.eastlothian.gov.uk/archaeology - follow the link ‘Archaeology what’s on?’ Tickets, £20 or £12 for concessions, can be obtained from Irene Burnett, Culture and Community Development, East Lothian Council, 9-11 Lodge Street, Haddington, East Lothian EH41 3HA. Tel: 01620 827408. Fax: 01620 824295. Email: bookings@eastlothian.gov.uk Cheques should be made payable to East Lothian Council.
Flood
prevention work at Threipmuir and Harlaw started in October and will continue
until next April. During that period the water level will be drawn down about
three meters. Spillways and some footpaths will be closed to the public for
safety reasons but alternatives will be available and will be sign posted. The
24 hour hotline number for questions relating to the project, including the
closure of paths, is: 07876 353481.
The changing water levels will have implications for the bird population. The lower water levels will be good for waders, moorhens and dabbling ducks. But the conditions will not favour grebes, diving ducks or cormorants. It will be some time before the full impact is known but the balance between different species of waterfowl seems likely to change.
The Rangers, in conjunction with the police, are taking a stance on vandalism and anti-social behaviour in the Park. If you witness any such acts please report them to the police on 0131 311 3131.
The four Harlaw ‘Teas & Cakes’ days held during 2009 raised a total of £950 – our best result so far. Congratulations to all involved.
The Ranger Service is working on interpretation panels for the bird hide at Bavelaw. To assist them they have developed a questionnaire and if you are a visitor to the hide you are encouraged to complete one. Questionnaires can be obtained from the Rangers.
SNH produces an excellent, free, quarterly magazine. You can request a copy by post from the Customer Relations Team, SNH, Great Glen House, FREEPOST RRBY-UACB-EGAY, Leachkin Road, Inverness IV3 8NW or by sending an email to: customerdetails@snh.gov.uk
We reported in the February edition that Midlothian Council intended to withdraw from the integrated Park management structure with effect from 31 March 2010. Sadly that position has not changed, although a final decision will not be made until December. We have urged the Council to review its decision and if you live in Midlothian you might like to make your views known to your local Councillor. (The Secretary will be happy to provide background details on request.) Our award winning Park deserves our support. It has achieved a great deal in the last 21 years and it should be looking forward to a secure future.
A circuit taking in the summit of Capelaw
Hill provides magnificent views across the city to Fife. Park at Bonaly and head
south to Bonaly Reservoir. Just as the track begins to descend into the
Phantom’s Cleuch turn left and climb to the broad summit of Capelaw. Return to
Bonaly either by joining the track at the east corner of Bonaly Reservoir or by
heading north to White Hill and then follow the path through the trees to the
start point. About 6 km.