hillend country park - Pentland Hills Regional Park

HILLEND COUNTRY PARK
MANAGEMENT PLAN
DRAFT
Description and Prescription
2004 to 2009
The City of Edinburgh, Midlothian and West Lothian Councils working together with Scottish Natural
Heritage and Scottish Water
PENTLAND HILLS REGIONAL PARK
HILLEND COUNTRY PARK MANAGEMENT PLAN
CONTENTS
Page no.
Summary Table
3
1
Introduction
4
2
Description
5
2.1
Statement of Significance
5
2.2
Landscape
5
2.3
Natural Heritage
11
2.4
Cultural Heritage
16
2.5
The Visitor
18
2.7
The Pentland Hills Ranger Service
23
2.8
Social and Economic Context
25
3
Aims
26
4
Objectives and Prescriptions
27
5
Work Plan 2004-2009
34
Appendix A
Vegetation Survey
37
Appendix B
Historical Information
41
Appendix C
Visitor Survey
42
2
SUMMARY TABLE
Property
Hillend Country Park
Grid Reference
NT249 669
Owner
Midlothian Council
Total Area
(100 acres) 40.6 ha.
Date Acquired
1926 City of Edinburgh,
1975 Lothian Regional Council
1996 Midlothian Council
Designations
Country Park since 1981
Management
Midlothian Ski Centre
Hillend Country Park (Pentland Hills Regional Park)
Management Plan
Prepared by Victor Partridge
3
1.
INTRODUCTION
1.1
Reason for the Plan
The most recent management plan for Hillend Country Park, covered the period
1985 to 1990.
Since then there has been several significant changes to both the management of
the Country Park and the management structures of the Pentland Hills Regional
Park and the Ski Centre.
¾ The Country Park and Ski Centre ownership was transferred from Lothian
Regional Council to Midlothian Council during Local Government Reorganisation
in April 1996.
¾ A Joint Management Committee of City of Edinburgh, Midlothian and West
Lothian Councils now runs the Regional Park.
¾ Pentland Hills Regional Park H.Q. moved from Hillend to Boghall Farm in
November 1991.
¾ Old Ski Centre/Ranger Service Workshop at Hillend was demolished in 1995.
¾ An Integrated Management Strategy has been produced for the Regional Park.
¾ Due to pressures on the Ranger Service elsewhere in the Regional Park, Hillend
Country Park has received ‘ad hoc’ management and perhaps not the consistency
of management that a busy and high profile park requires.
1.2
Purpose of the Management Plan
This document is a plan for Hillend Country Park, not the Ski Centre. It contains
an evaluation of the importance of the Park and directs it’s future management.
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2.
DESCRIPTION
2.1
Statement of Significance
For the people of Edinburgh, Hillend Country Park is part of the face of the
Pentland Hills, as it dominates the skyline to the south of the Capital.
It is unique as a country park as it contains the largest artificial ski slope in
Europe. For many Hillend is indeed synonymous with skiing, but it is also popular
for walking with or without dogs because of its extensive views of the city and its
good network of paths,
It is accessible from the city by foot and is one of the few access points in the
Pentland Hills to which there is a good bus service.
2.2
Landscape
Key features
ƒ Part of Area of Great Landscape Value
ƒ Widely visible from Edinburgh and North Midlothian
ƒ Great views out
2.2.1
General
Hillend Country Park is one of two Country Parks within the Pentland Hills Regional
Park (see map 1), an Area of Great Landscape Value. It also lies within Edinburgh
Green Belt, being 7km (4½ miles) from the City Centre. Hillend constitutes part
of one of the most visually sensitive parts of the Pentland Hills Regional Park.
The northern slopes of Caerketton and Allermuir Hills form the immediate
backdrop to the southern fringes of Edinburgh and are among the city’s most
important landscape resources.
The elevated position of the Country Park between 161 and 345 metres renders
it very widely visible. The white slopes of the ski centre can be seen from as far
as the coastline of west Fife.
More locally the most important views of Hillend are from the eastbound
carriageway of the City bypass between Straiton and Dreghorn junctions, from
Morningside Road, and the northern part of Midlothian, particularly from the
Straiton Retail Centre.
5
6
Hillend from the City By-pass
Hillend from Fairmilehead
7
Hillend from Straiton
2.2.2 Views Out
The views from Hillend are one of its most valuable assets. From the upper slopes
of the Country Park most of Edinburgh, East Lothian and South Fife can be seen.
In clear weather you can see Ben Lomond, Ben Vorlich, Ben Lawers, Schiehallion,
Berwick Law, the Lammermuirs and the Isle of May. From the hill fort most of
Midlothian (including Penicuik), the Moorfoots and Border hills can be seen.
This is how Robert Louis Stevenson described the view from Hillend.
“You look over a great expanse of champaign sloping to the sea, and behold a large
variety of distant hills. There are the hills of Fife, the Lammermoors and the
Ochils, more or less mountainous in outline, more or less blue with distance. Far
out in the lowlands Edinburgh shows herself, making a great smoke on clear days
and spreading her suburbs about her for miles; the castle rises darkly in the
midst and close by, Arthur's Seat makes a bold figure in the landscape. So you
sit, like Jupiter on Olympus, and look down from afar upon men’s life. You may
never be so laggard and never so unimpressionable, but there is something in the
view that spirits up your blood and puts you in the vein for cheerful labour."
8
2.2.3 Boundary and Adjacent Landowners
Hillend shares its boundary (which is completely fenced) with four other
landowners as shown on map 2.
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10
2.3
Natural Heritage
Key features
ƒ The variety of habitats
ƒ The disused quarry
2.3.1 Geology
The rock under Hillend Country Park is made from solidified lava, which extruded
from a volcanic centre somewhere near Colinton 390 million years ago.
These rocks are called pyroxene andesite and olivine basalt, which has a basic
(rather than acid) chemical composition.
The lavas are the last of the ten groups of lavas, which make up much of the
Pentland Hills and are 6000ft thick. The rocks can be seen outcropping in various
parts of the Park and have been quarried, possibly to provide dyking and building
materials for Hillend Farm.
At the main entrance to the Park, there is a thin layer of boulder clay, deposited
by glacial melt water at the end of the Ice Age.
2.3.2 Soils
Mainly thin, freely drained Brown Forest soils, but some Brown Rankers. A soil
sample taken in 1981 showed a pH of 6.2, low phosphate, moderately high in
potash and magnesium.
2.3.3 Vegetation
No botanical rarities have been found at Hillend. The Management Plan 1986 to
1991 shows the vegetation types. A survey was carried out to locate the more
interesting botanical areas. The results are shown in Appendix A. The disused
quarry being the most botanically diverse.
2.3.4 Sheep grazing
Sheep grazed the area until March 1979.
2.3.5 Woodland
Hillend Country Park was practically treeless, until a programme of planting was
carried out from 1980 to 1984. (See map 3)
There are seven main compartments of woodland within the Country Park. (See
map 3). For numbers of the species planted see 1986 to 1991 Management Plan.
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Compartment 1 Western ShelterBelt
This provides shelter for the ski slope from westerly winds, but due to the
pattern of planting has a very unnatural striped appearance in spring and autumn.
Compartments 2,3, 3a, 3b The New Plantings
These compartments have grown into attractive natural looking young woodland,
with high wildlife value. Most species have done well although many of the Silver
Birch have bare branches.
Sycamore and some Ash have self-seeded from the mature trees in Erraid and
Calderstones wood, up to 150 metres into the Park.
Compartments 4, 4a, 5 and 5a, Around the Ski Centre and Car Parks
This area is dominated by Scots Pine and Larch with some Sycamore, Rowan and
Birch.
Compartment 6 The Burn
Clumps of mainly Alder and Willow along the stream.
Compartment 7 Opposite the Maintenance Team Building
Rowan, Birch, Whitebeam, Oak and young Horse Chestnut. A hedge of Hawthorn
and Beech along this boundary with Calderstones.
Compartment 8 East of the Ski Slope
Larch, Ash, Scots Pine, Blackthorn, Hawthorn and Birch planted in National Tree
Week in 1997.
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13
2.3.6 Gorse
Gorse dominates parts of Hillend, covering approximately 250m².
Some areas of gorse have expanded over the last ten years. This has probably
been balanced out by those areas, which have been burnt (as a result of vandalism)
and subsequently have not regrown. The gorse is not managed in any strategic way,
but is cut periodically, when it encroaches on the path network. (See map 4)
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15
2.3.7 Wildlife
The addition of young trees to the habitats of Hillend Country Park will have
improved the diversity of wildlife found there. Except for butterflies, no detailed
surveys have been carried out since the last management plan. Two new species
can be added to the list of five butterflies, Ringlet and Small Copper.
Six spot Burnet Moth; (an Edinburgh Biodiversity Action Species) has also been
recorded at the disused quarry.
2.4
Cultural Heritage
Key features
ƒ The Fort
2.41
Historical Features
The only feature of note is the fort (see map 5). Its features are hard to see, as
the stone wall has been robbed and any ditches filled in by cultivation. This is a
Scheduled Ancient Monument but no excavation has been carried out, so little is
known about it. (See Appendix B for information provided by the Royal
Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland).
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17
2.5
The Visitor
Key features
ƒ Easy access for local people
ƒ Europe’s largest dry ski slope
2.51 Access
Access by car is from Biggar Road (A702). This is also the main point of access
for walkers and cyclists. There is a car park at the entrance to the Country Park,
which holds approximately 20 cars; a single-track road with passing places links
this to the Ski Centre car park (which holds approximately 90 cars). The Ski
Centre car park has an overflow, which holds approximately 20 cars. (See map 6)
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19
2.52 Public Transport
The number 15 bus, which comes from Musselburgh and Tranent through
Edinburgh, passes the entrance of Hillend Country Park on the way to Penicuik.
The number 4, which starts at The Jewel, goes through Edinburgh via Gorgie and
Colinton, terminates at the entrance to the Country Park.
2.53 Buildings
The ski centre comprises three buildings. The main building is the reception,
offices, ski hire and toilets. A second building is the “Inn on the Hill” which is now
the headquarters of the British Ski and Snowboard Federation. The third building
is the Ski Lodge that provides first aid, a ski repairs service and viewing terrace.
At present a 'portakabin' provides a temporary café. The Ranger Centre building
was used for a time by Parapente Ecosse, then to hire out and repair snowboards.
It is now a storeroom for the Pentland Hills Ranger Service.
The old ski centre was demolished in 1995 and now the area is used as a car park.
There is an underground reservoir within the park – Hillend Service Reservoir.
2.54 Current Recreational Use
Extracting information from the Pentland Hills Visitor Survey 1999 by System 3
we can get an idea of why people visit Hillend. (See Appendix C for results of the
survey).
2.55 Skiing
The main use of the park is for dry slope skiing and snowboarding.
2.56 Walking
There is a good network of paths (see map 6). The only places where there is no
access within the Country Park is the covered reservoir and across the ski matting.
Some visitors just walk only within the Park others use it as an access point to
Caerketton Hill, and the wider hills.
A three-mile circular walk was waymarked in 1999. The Capital View Path starts
from the lower car park at Hillend and goes through the Park, above the ski slopes,
down to Swanston Village and back to the start point via Lothianburn Golf Course.
(see map 7) The aim of the walk is to provide new visitors with an easy to follow
circular route giving them confidence to explore further. A leaflet has been
produced to accompany the walk.
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2.57 Dog Walking
Hillend is a good place for people to exercise their dogs, as there are no sheep
within its boundary. Nesting birds and other wildlife are generally protected from
dogs by the gorse.
Outside the Park in Swanston Farm or Boghall Farm dogs should be under strict
control.
2.58 Orienteering
There is a permanent orienteering course set up. Maps are available from the
Pentland Hills Regional Park Headquarters.
2.59 Downhill Mountainbike Trail
In 1999 a Downhill Mountainbike Trail was set up by the Ski Centre, utilising the
chairlift to take cyclists to the top of the trail. In June 2000 a heavy rainstorm
eroded parts of the trail which as a result was closed.
2.60 Picnicking and BBQ’s
Picnic tables and benches are provided throughout the Park particularly around
the ski centre area. Hillend is the only place in the Regional Park where litterbins
are provided.
There is no BBQ site, although there is evidence (from burn marks) that some
visitors bring their own disposable BBQs.
2.61
Horse Riding
Due to the steep slopes and thin soils, Hillend is not suitable for horseriding.
2.62 Paragliding
Parapente Ecosse use a flat area above the overflow car park as a landing area,
taking off from the top of Caerketton Hill. There is a verbal agreement that the
group can annually cut down any tall vegetation in this area (usually rosebay
willowherb or gorse).
2.63 Camping
During spring and summer camping takes place, mainly in the disused quarry. This
is tolerated but not encouraged. Campfires are not allowed, litter must be taken
away by the campers and they can only stay one night.
2.64 Sledging
After a good fall of snow Hillend is used for sledging, however, Lothianburn Golf
Course, over the burn, is a more popular location as the short cut grass provides a
better sledging surface.
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2.65 Radio controlled Model Aircraft
Are permitted within the park. The regulations are contained in the Air
Navigation Order 1980.
2.66 Hillrunning
The Carnethy Hill Running Club run an annual Caerketton Hill Race starting from
Hillend.
2.67 Facilities for the less able
Due to the hilly nature of the Country Park, access for the less able is difficult.
2.7
The Pentland Hills Regional Park Ranger Service
2.71
Work of the Ranger Service at Hillend
The Pentland Hills Ranger Service is responsible for the maintenance and
management of the Country Park outwith the area of the Ski Centre and access
road.
This consists of –
ƒ
patrolling the Country Park at least once a week
ƒ
picking up litter. The Tiphereth Pentlands Group remove rubbish every Monday
from the lower car park, the access road, the upper overflow car park and
empty the bins along this route.
ƒ
Monitoring recreational use e.g. camping, the state of footpaths, car parks,
fences, benches, planted trees, waymarking, interpretation and orienteering
course.
ƒ
Maintaining footpaths, stiles, gates, benches, planted trees, waymarking,
interpretation boards and orienteering markers.
ƒ
Providing information and interpretation.
2.72 Information and Interpretation
This consists of –
ƒ
Tourist information signs on the City By pass “Midlothian Ski Centre” and
“Hillend Country Park”.
ƒ
White signs at the entrance giving information on what facilities are available
at the ski centre and Country Park.
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ƒ
An information board by the lower car park containing a 3D map of the Regional
Park, information about the Country Park, space for any special messages
(usually information about guided walks) and two draws for dispensing leaflets.
ƒ
Waymarkers showing major routes through and out of the Country Park and the
circular “Capital View Walk”, (see map 6).
ƒ
At the top of the chairlift there is a board with a quote from Robert Louis
Stevenson describing the view from Hillend and a viewfinder.
ƒ
A “Music Stand” type interpretation board (located at the boundary of the Park
adjacent to the hillfort) with displays that can be easily changed. At present
the interpretation compares the Country Park with Swanston Farm.
ƒ
A leaflet to accompany the circular “Capital View Walk”.
ƒ
Regional Park leaflets are available at the Ski Centre.
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2.8
Social And Economic Context
Key Features
ƒ Ski Centre a national attraction
2.81
Country Park
The Country Park provides mainly local people with an area to walk, with or
without a dog. It probably has little economic benefit, although some walkers do
visit the Steading Inn after their walk.
2.82 Ski Centre
The Ski Centre has an important social and economic role to play as it not only
provides a well used local recreational facility but a national attraction.
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3.
AIMS
3.1
The Park Policy in the 1986 to 1991 Management Plan was “To develop Hillend as a
Country Park, within the Pentland Hills, providing appropriate facilities for the
public to enjoy countryside leisure pursuits, both active and passive, consistent
with the special status of the Ski Centre as a nationally important recreation
facility”.
Hillend has developed as a country park and provides informal recreation for many
people. In 1998, the visitor survey carried out by System Three, calculated there
were 28,000 visits. However this is likely to be an underestimate due to the poor
weather.
The present aims based on the key features should be: •
To continue to develop the facilities for the public to enjoy formal and
informal recreation.
•
To enhance visitors' understanding and foster a caring attitude to the Country
Park and Regional Park through interpretation and more public involvement in
decision making.
•
To conserve and enhance the landscape and habitats of the Country Park and
protect its views out.
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4.
OBJECTIVES AND PRESCRIPTIONS
Aim - To continue to develop the facilities for the public to enjoy formal and
informal recreation.
Rationale
Hillend Country Park is underused. The System 3 Visitor Survey in 1998
calculated that there were 28,000 visits. Flotterstone three miles down the
A702 received 142,000 visits, with 60 % coming from Edinburgh. Therefore many
visitors must drive past Hillend and use Flotterstone. The most likely reason for
this is the terrain. Flotterstone provides a gentle gradient with a good walking
surface, where as Hillend is steeper with no surfaced paths except by the road.
At weekends Flotterstone car park overflows whereas Hillend usually has spaces.
Hillend is a good place for people to walk their dogs, as there is no livestock within
its boundary, whereas dogs have occasionally been a nuisance at Flotterstone
either worrying sheep or running loose on the Glen Road.
It would be beneficial to both Flotterstone and Hillend if more visitors could be
encouraged not to drive the extra three miles down the A702.
OBJECTIVE 1
To encourage more people to use Hillend particularly those who normally visit
Flotterstone.
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
1.6
Provide Capital View Walk leaflet at Flotterstone.
Produce a display at Flotterstone encouraging visitors to use other sites in
the Regional Park including Hillend. The display would emphasis the ease of
access by bus to Hillend.
Carryout a face to face questionnaire at Flotterstone to find out what may
encourage visitors to use Hillend Country Park.
Carry out questionnaires at Hillend to find out why visitors use the Country
Park.
If possible implement finding of 1.3 and 1.4.
Hillend should be used more for events and guided walks.
---------------------------------------------
Rationale
To encourage more people to use Hillend, the Country Park has to be well
maintained. The main problem is litter. The car parks and the road up to the Ski
27
Centre being the worst areas. The Tiphereth Pentlands Group pick up litter from
these areas and empty the three bins beside the road. The litterbins in the top
overflow car park are open topped resulting in them being emptied by the wind or
magpies. Rangers and Voluntary Rangers pick up other litter in the Country Park
when on patrol. It is useful to get community groups, such as cubs to do a litter
pick at Hillend to clear litter that blows in amongst the gorse.
OBJECTIVE 2
To maintain the Country Park for informal recreation.
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
2.6
2.7
2.8
Patrol the Country Park at least once a week monitoring camping, the state
of footpaths, stiles, steps, car parks boundary fences, picnic benches and
seats, planted trees, waymarking, interpretation boards and orienteering
course.
Ensure litter is kept to minimum by Rangers and Voluntary Rangers picking
up litter, liaising with the Tiphereth Group and the Ski Centre and
organising special clear ups with community groups.
Change litterbins in top overflow car park to ones with lids.
Maintain footpaths - strimming main routes in late June and in some years
again in September. Replace steps when necessary. Replace any missing or
broken waymarkers. For stiles see 5.1.
Cross-drains in the path beside the road need clearing once a month in
winter and once every two months in summer.
Maintain boundary fence - replacing any broken wires or fence posts with
the same type and size.
Maintain picnic benches and seats, painting them every other year and
replacing them when necessary.
Maintain interpretation boards - repairing when necessary.
Maintain orienteering markers; replace damaged or missing posts.
---------------------------------------------
Rationale
Hillend could be improved for recreation which could further encourage visitors to
use it. The lower car park and the area around the entrance is untidy. It has
been used by travelling folk, damaged and burnt out cars have been dumped here
and cars are occasionally broken into. It usually copes with the number of visitors
but with some landscaping could hold more cars. The steps from the car park lead
visitors away from the information board.
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OBJECTIVE 3
Improve the lower car park and entrance.
3.1
3.2
3.3
Produce a design to improve layout of lower car park and entrance.
Implement designs
Put in CCTV camera in lower car park.
---------------------------------------------
Rationale
Other further improvements in the rest of the Park would tidy it up.
OBJECTIVE 4
Improve the rest of the Country Park.
4.1
4.2
4.3
Liaise with Midlothian Dog Wardens to provide dog waste bins.
Provide “resting perches” in suitable locations for walkers to sit and enjoy
the views.
Remove redundant cairn at top of ski slope.
---------------------------------------------
Rationale
In the light of the new access legislation, some improvements may be necessary to
improve access. At present cycling and horse riding is discouraged due to the
steepness of the terrain.
OBJECTIVE 5
Improve access for all forms of informal recreation.
5.1
5.2
When the present stiles come to the end of their life, replace them (if
acceptable with the neighbouring landowner) with kissing gates.
Improve access from the east end of the top overflow car park. This
provides an easier start to a walk.
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5.3
Investigate if a cycling and horse riding circular route could be created
which would minimise damage to the ground.
---------------------------------------------
AIM
To enhance visitors understanding and foster a caring attitude to the Country
Park and Regional Park through interpretation and more public involvement in
decision making.
OBJECTIVE 6
To provide information and interpretation for the visitors.
6.1
6.2
To continue to provide leaflets "The Capital View Path" and "Visitors Guide"
at the information board at the bottom car park and a selection of leaflets
at the Ski Centre.
To replace the two A3 "music stand" interpretation board panels when
necessary.
---------------------------------------------
Rationale
Hillend is used very infrequently for educational visits, mainly because of its steep
terrain and lack of facilities to study the most popular subject - freshwater
habitats. However the orienteering course could be used if the school group are
learning about map and compasses.
At present the building which has been used for the Park Maintenance Team could
be used for any indoor part of a school visit.
OBJECTIVE 7
To provide an educational service for schools and colleges.
7.1
Use Hillend for educational visits when it is a suitable place to achieve
objectives of the visit.
---------------------------------------------
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Rationale
Unlike most other Country Parks Hillend does not have a Ranger based at the site.
This could lead to a lack of knowledge about what the visitors want from the site.
OBJECTIVE 8
Increase knowledge of the visitor's requirements at Hillend.
8.1
Carry out a face to face questionnaire with visitors to Hillend to ascertain
what new facilities (if any) they need.
---------------------------------------------
AIM
To conserve and enhance the landscape and habitats of the Country Park and
protect its views out.
Rationale
Hillend Country Park, being part of an Area of Great Landscape Value and within
the Green Belt, is well protected from construction of more buildings.
The Pentland Hills Regional Park Maintenance Team workshop is a building, which
could be utilised by the Ranger Service to promote the Country Park. However, it
would need a lot of resources to make this building, attractive for visitors to use.
Some sensitive development to encourage more visitors to Hillend may be possible
elsewhere; further tree planting would enhance the landscape value by screening
the dry ski slope from particular views. A landscape character assessment would
show where development and more woodland would fit in to the Country Park.
OBJECTIVE 9
To maintain and enhance the high landscape value by protecting the property from
intrusive developments and extending the woodland cover.
9.1
Carry out a landscape character assessment to ascertain where sensitive
development and further tree planting should take place.
---------------------------------------------
Rationale
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Further tree planting will reduce the areas from which views can be gained.
OBJECTIVE 10
To maintain the Great Views Out.
10.1
A tree-planting plan will consider what affect further trees would have on
the views from Hillend.
---------------------------------------------
Rationale
Hillend has a good variety of habitats - acid grassland, gorse-dominated areas and
young broadleaf and mixed woodland.
This variety is valuable, scenically, for wildlife, recreation and education and so
should be protected and enhanced.
The area occupied by each habitat has changed over the last ten years and should
be monitored. The area of woodland could be further extended to improve the
landscape and wildlife value of the site as long as this did not affect the views
out.
Juniper could be introduced to the Park to help conserve this species. The
present woodland needs to be managed particularly Compartment 1 with its stripey
appearance.
Gorse provides useful cover for wildlife and its flowers are attractive in looks and
smell through much of spring and summer. If not managed it will spread to the
detriment of the grassland areas and public access.
The extent of bracken has not been monitored so it is unknown whether it is
spreading.
There has been a lack of recording of wildlife found at Hillend, this information
would be useful for interpreting the site.
There is a lack of water features within the Country Park, but there are several
wet areas, which could be dug out. Providing a pond would increase the number of
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habitats and therefore wildlife value. It would also be an attractive feature for
visitors to explore.
OBJECTIVE 11
To maintain and enhance the variety of habitats.
11.1
11.2
11.3
11.4
11.5
11.6
Monitor the extent of the gorse using fix point photography.
Cut areas of gorse if it is spreading, particularly if it is spreading into areas
of blaeberry.
Write a woodland management plan to include the possibility of introducing
juniper into the Park.
Monitor the extent of bracken.
Investigate ways of recording wildlife seen at Hillend.
Investigate possibility of creating a pond at Hillend.
---------------------------------------------
The Disused Quarry
Rationale
The disused quarry is the richest location for plant species within the Country
Park. The six-spot burnet moth (an Edinburgh Biodiversity Action Species) has
been found there. The quarry is occasionally used for informal camping. Some
campers light fires, which destroys the vegetation. Gorse is spreading within the
quarry, shading out some of the more interesting plants.
OBJECTIVE 12
To maintain the variety of plant species in the disused quarry.
12.1
12.2
12.3
12.4
Discourage campers from lighting fires.
Maintain the sign giving information about camping.
Cut back the gorse from the floor of the quarry.
Monitor the six-spot burnet moth.
---------------------------------------------
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34
HILLEND COUNTRY PARK WORKPLAN 2004-2009
OBJECTIVE
PRESCRIPTION
05
1 To encourage more people
to use Hillend particularly
those who normally visit
Flotterstone.
1.1 Provide Capital View Walk leaflet at Flotterstone.
1.2 Produce a display at Flotterstone encouraging visitors to use other sites in the
Regional Park including Hillend. The display would emphasis the ease of access
by bus to Hillend.
1.3 Carryout a face to face questionnaire at Flotterstone to find out what may
encourage visitors to use Hillend Country Park.
2 To maintain the Country
Park for informal
recreation.
2.5 Maintain boundary fence - replacing any broken wires or fence posts with the
same type and size.
2.6 Maintain picnic benches and seats, painting them every other year and replacing
them when necessary.
2.7 Maintain interpretation boards - repairing when necessary.
2.8 Maintain orienteering markers; replace damaged or missing posts.
34
YEAR
07
X
08
X
09
X
X
X
1.4 Carry out questionnaires at Hillend to find out why visitors use the Country Park.
1.5 If possible implement finding of 1.3 and 1.4.
1.6 Hillend should be used more for events and guided walks.
2.1 Patrol the Country Park at least once a week monitoring camping, the state of
footpaths, stiles, steps, car parks boundary fences, picnic benches and seats,
planted trees, waymarking, interpretation boards and orienteering course.
2.2 Ensure litter is kept to minimum by Rangers and Voluntary Rangers picking up
litter, liaising with the Tiphereth Group and the Ski Centre and organising special
clear ups with community groups.
2.3 Change litterbins in top overflow car park to ones with lids.
2.4 Maintain footpaths - strimming main routes in late June and in some years again
in September. Replace steps when necessary see 3.3. Replace any missing or
broken waymarkers. For stiles see 5.1.
06
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
OBJECTIVE
PRESCRIPTION
05
3 Improve the lower car park
and entrance.
4 Improve the rest of the
Country Park.
5 Improve access for all
forms of informal
recreation.
6 To provide information and
interpretation for the
visitors.
7 To provide an educational
service for schools and
colleges.
8 Increase knowledge of the
visitor's requirements at
Hillend.
9 To maintain and enhance
the high landscape value
by protecting the property
from intrusive
developments and
extending the woodland
cover.
06
YEAR
07
3.1 Produce a design to improve layout of lower car park and entrance.
3.2 Implement designs
3.3 Put in CCTV camera in lower car park.
4.1 Liaise with Midlothian Dog Wardens to provide dog waste bins.
09
X
X
X
4.2 Provide “resting perches” in suitable locations for walkers to sit and enjoy the
views.
4.3 Remove redundant cairn at top of ski slope.
5.1 When the present stiles come to the end of their life, replace them (if acceptable
with the neighbouring landowner) with kissing gates.
X
5.2 Improve access from the east end of the top overflow car park. This provides an
easier start to a walk.
5.3 Investigate if a cycling and horse riding circular route could be created which
would minimise damage to the ground.
6.1 To continue to provide leaflets "The Capital View Path" and "Visitors Guide" at
the information board at the bottom car park and a selection of leaflets at the Ski
Centre.
6.2 To replace the two A3 "music stand" interpretation board panels when
necessary.
7.1 Use Hillend for educational visits when it is a suitable place to achieve objectives
of the visit.
X
8.1 Carry out a face to face questionnaire with visitors to Hillend to ascertain what
new facilities (if any) they need.
X
9.1 9.1 Carry out a landscape character assessment to ascertain where sensitive
development and further tree planting should take place.
X
35
08
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
OBJECTIVE
10 To maintain the Great
Views Out.
11 To maintain and enhance
the variety of habitats.
12 To maintain the variety of
plant species in the
disused quarry.
PRESCRIPTION
10.1 A tree planting plan will consider what affect further trees would have on the
views from Hillend.
11.1 Monitor the extent of the gorse using fix point photography.
11.2 Cut areas of gorse if it is spreading, particularly if it is spreading into areas of
blaeberry.
11.3 Write a woodland management plan to include the possibility of introducing
juniper into the Park.
11.4 Monitor the extent of bracken.
11.5 Investigate ways of recording wildlife seen at Hillend.
11.6 Investigate possibility of creating a pond at Hillend.
12.1 Discourage campers from lighting fires.
12.2 Maintain the sign giving information about camping.
12.3 Cut back the gorse from the floor of the quarry.
12.4 Monitor the six-spot burnet moth.
36
05
06
X
X
X
YEAR
07
08
09
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
VEGETATION SURVEY
Appendix A
ENGLISH
LATIN
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z AA AB AC AD
Barren Strawberry
Bent Grass
Bird's-foot-trefoil
Black Sedge
Blaeberry
Bracken
Bramble
Bristle Club-rush
Broad Buckler Fern
Broad-leaved Willowherb
Carnation Sedge
Cleavers
Cocksfoot
Common Cat's-ear
Common Mouse-ear
Common Ragwort
Common Sorrel
Common Spotted Orchid
Common Valerian
Common Vetch
Common Dog Violet
Compact Rush
Cotoneaster
Couch Grass
Creeping Buttercup
Creeping Soft Grass
Creeping Thistle
Dog Rose
Eyebright
Field Daisy
Field Mouse-ear
Potentilla sterilis
x
Agrostis
x
Lotus corniculatus
Carex nigra
Vaccinium myrtillus
x
Pteridium aquilinum
Rubus fruticosus
Scirpus setaceus
Dryopteris dilatata
Epilobium montanum
Carex panicea
Galium aparine
Dactylis glomerata
x
x x
Hypochaeris radicata
Cerastium holosteoides
x
x
Senecio jacobaea
x x x
Rumex acetosa
Dactylorhiza fuchsii
Valeriana officinalis
Vicia sativa
Viola riviniana
Juncus conglomeratus
Cotoneaster spp
Elymus caninus
Ranunculus repens
Holcus mollis
x x
Cirsium vulgare
Rosa canina
Euphrasia spp
Bellis perennis
Cerastium arvense
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x x
x
x x
x x x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
37
ENGLISH
Foxglove
Germander Speedwell
Glaucous Sedge
Greater Plantain
Hard Shield Fern
Harebell
LATIN
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z AA AB AC
x
Digitalis purpurea
x
Veronica chamaedrys
x
Carex flacca
Plantago lanceolata
Polystichum aculeatum
x
x x
x x
x
x x
x
x
Campanula rotundifolia
x
Heath Bedstraw
Heath Milkwort
Heath Sedge
Heath Speedwell
Heath Woodrush
Jointed Rush
Lady's- mantle
Lady's-bedstraw
Lesser Spearwort
Lesser Stitchwort
Ling (Heather)
Little Mouse-ear
Marsh Thistle
Meadow Buttercup
Meadow Vetchling
Perforate St. John's-wort
Prickly Sow-thistle
Procumbent Pearlwort
Quaking Grass
Raspberry
Ribwort Plantain
Rosebay Willowherb
Selfheal
Sheep's Sorrel
Gallium saxatile
Polygala serpyllifolia
Carex ericetorum
Veronica officinalis
Luzula multiflora
Juncus articulatis
Alcheilla vulgaris
Galium verum
Ranunculus flammula
Stelloria media
Calluna vulgaris
Cerastium semidecandrum
Cirsium palustre
x
Ranunculus acris
Lathyrus pratensis
Hypericum perforatum
Sonchus asper
Sagina procumbens
Briza media
Rubus idaeus
x
Plantago lanceolata
Chamaenerion angustifolium
Prunella vulgaris
Rumex acetosella
x
x
x
x
x x
AD
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x x x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x x
x
38
x
Sneezewort
Soft Rush
Achillea ptarmica
Juncus effusus
x
ENGLISH
Spear Thistle
Stinging Nettle
Sweet Vernal Grass
Timothy Grass
LATIN
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z AA AB AC AD
x
Cirsium vulgare
x
x
x
Urtica dioica
x
Anthoxanthum odoratum
x
Phleum pratense
Toad Rush
Tormentil
Juncus bufonius
Potentilla erecta
x
x x
x x
x x
x
x
x
x x x
x
Tufted Vetch
Wavy Hair Grass
White Clover
Wild Strawberry
Wild Thyme
Yarrow
Yellow Sedge
Yorkshire Fog
Vicia cracca
Deschampsia flexuosa
Trifolium repens
Fragaria vesca
Thymus drucei
Achillea millefolium
Carex demissa
Holcus lanatus
x x x
x
x
x x
x
x
x x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
39
40
APPENDIX
B
Information provided by Royal Commission on the
Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland
41
APPENDIX C
SYSTEM 3 PENTLAND HILLS VISITOR SURVEY
130 people were interviewed at Hillend.
Type of Visit
Less than 3 hours from home
82%
A day out, more than 3 hours
from home
13%
Staying away from home
5%
First visit to the Pentland Hills today
Yes
10%
No
90%
Average number of times visit the Pentland Hills during the year
Everyday
8%
More than once a week but not daily
23%
Once a week
16%
2-3 times a month
11%
Once a month
12%
Less often than once a month
28%
Don’t know/no reply
2%
Reason(s) decided to visit the Pentland Hills today
Just for a walk/exercise
35%
The weather
13%
Walking the dog
33%
To get fresh air
8%
The scenery/countryside
/views
12%
Handy/convenient/access
10%
To meet friends/relatives
6%
Just like area
6%
42
Peace and quiet/relaxing
8%
To cycle
3%
To run/jog/train
1%
Just to pass time
6%
Hill climbing
2%
To watch wildlife/birds
3%
Good for children
2%
Come regularly
1%
With an organised group
1%
On holiday/day off
1%
Somewhere different
1%
To ski/spectate
12%
Picnic lunch
3%
Easy access to café/inn
2%
Found on map/guide book
1%
Others
13%
Why did you decide to visit Hillend today?
Handy/convenient
49%
Not to strenuous
8%
Good/easy parking
11%
Scenery/open spaces
9%
Tough walk exhilarating
3%
Peaceful/relaxing
2%
Children like it
4%
For a change of walk
6%
Want to go to reservoir
1%
To exercise run/cycle
2%
Safe to walk dog
7%
Not been for ages
4%
Like it in general
2%
Wildlife/Birds
4%
43
Hill climbing
4%
Café/pub/inn
2%
Route planned on map/guide
book
1%
Just passing/en route
3%
Good weather
2%
Round/circular walk
2%
Part of route over the tops
1%
Feel safe here
1%
Skiing
14%
Guided by locals
2%
Got to start somewhere
2%
Others
15%
Approximate distance travelled to Pentland Hills today
1-2 miles
41%
3-5 miles
32%
6-9 miles
12%
10-14 miles
6%
15-19 miles
2%
20-29 miles
3%
30+ miles
4%
Main mode of transport used to travel to the Pentland Hills today
Car
81%
Walked
6%
Bicycle
3%
Private minibus/coach
1%
Public bus
9%
Other
1%
Approximately how long did you spend/do you intend spending in the
Pentland Hills toady?
Up to 15 minutes
2%
Between 15 – 30 minutes
8%
44
Between 30 minutes and 1 hour
27%
Between 1-2 hours
38%
Between 2-3 hours
11%
Between 3-5 hours
8%
More than 5 hours
5%
Don’t know/unstated
1%
What do you think needs to be improved about the Pentland Hills?
Nothing fine as it is
53%
Tidy up muddy paths
7%
Controlled use of bikes
3%
More clearer signposts
2%
More/improved car parking
2%
More litter bins provided
5%
Keep routes for walkers/cyclists separate
3%
Footpath control to reduce erosion
2%
More/better toilets
1%
Areas for resting e.g. benches
6%
More/better trees and plants
3%
No firing range practice
1%
Bigger range of walks
1%
Keep dogs on leads
0%
Better bus service/put up timetable
2%
Litter should be collected
0%
Locked gates had to climb over
2%
Rangers around more
1%
Restrict access to cars/motorbikes
1%
More information about wildlife/views
1%
Café/tea-room
2%
Some areas very boggy
1%
More information on maps
1%
45
More organised activities
2%
Improve facilities for wheelchairs
0%
Press coverage/advertise walks
1%
Bike washing facilities
1%
Car park attendants
1%
More steps at steep junction
1%
Others/don’t know
14%
Where do you live?
Scotland
92%
Edinburgh
72%
Edinburgh Pentlands
29%
Edinburgh South
20%
Edinburgh North and Leith
5%
Edinburgh West
4%
Edinburgh Central
5%
Edinburgh East and Musselburgh
8%
Edinburgh Unspecified
1%
Other Scotland
20%
Midlothian
10%
West Lothian
3%
Glasgow/Strathclyde
1%
Fife
1%
Central
4%
East Lothian
2%
England
5%
South-East
2%
North West
2%
North
1%
46
47
48