Action vow to tackle Pentland Hills ‘louts’

That’s the outcome of a joint meeting held on Wednesday of politicians and stakeholders.

It followed the recent assault of a 70-year-old bailiff at Harlaw Reservoir and complaints from local people about camping, parking, litter and the chopping down of sapplings to make fires.

Councillor Neil Gardiner, convener of Edinburgh City Council’s planning committee and convenor of Pentland Hills Regional Park joint committee, called the meeting.

The Pentland Hills councillor said: “I met with fellow local councillors from Pentland Hills ward, local MSP Gordon MacDonald, the Regional Park Manager, Council and Police Scotland officers, the chairman of Balerno Community Council, Friends of the Pentlands, Malleny Angling Ltd, Youth Vision Scotland and a representative of the National 
Farmers Union. I thank everyone for their useful contributions to the meeting.”

He added: “I can report that a partnership approach will be taken to manage the antisocial activities associated with the extensive camping 
happening around the Pentland reservoirs.

“Police Scotland will be increasing the frequency of patrols around known hot spots and taking direct action where offences are committed.”

Pentland Hills Regional Park officers will, he said, support this approach with regular site visits and they will talk to visitors about responsible access to the park.

Councillor Gardiner said: “Longer term solutions are also being considered and will be fully discussed at the next Pentland Hills Regional Park Joint Committee meeting. The local community and other stakeholders will be included in the discussions.”

Councillor Susan Webber, who also attended, welcomes what she termed the “short, sharp, shock focus” by police and rangers but is disappointed that this will not start this weekend.

Richard Henderson, chairman of Balerno Community Council, said that it had been a very useful meeting and he was pleased that antisocial activities were being addressed. Mr Henderson added that increased police patrols supported with regular site visits by park officers was a major step forward.

And Robert Ross, company secretary of Malleny Angling Ltd, said it was a very positive meeting and added: “We look forward to the future.”

The Pentlands Hills Regional Park is one of a number of local beauty spots blighted by antisocial behaviour in recent months.

Parks, beaches and woodland have all suffered and been left with litter strewn, abandoned tents, damaged and burned trees and ground scorched by fires.

Earlier this week utilities giant Scottish Water issued a plea for responsible behaviour at Gladhouse Reservoir, near Peniuik, after a spate of incidents saw trees felled and fires lit.

Locals also revealed that a pair of Ospreys had abandoned their nest on an island on the reservoir after they were disturbed by yobs.

Anyone convicted of interfering with or disturbing the protected birds of prey can face a hefty fine or prison sentence under Scotland’s strict wildlife laws.

[email protected]