Anger over unauthorised parking after cars damage grass at popular Lauriston Castle

A local campaigner says urgent action must be taken to improve parking facilities in the grounds of Lauriston Castle after dozens of cars descended on the beauty spot over the weekend and damaged the grass.

Campaigner David Baker, who leads the Friends of Lauriston Castle group, says the opening of a Mimi’s Bakehouse at the historic landmark has resulted in a “significant increase” in the number of vehicles parking on the estate.

He says the castle’s small car park cannot cope, leading to visitors parking on the grass nearby causing deep tyre marks and churning the grounds into a muddy mess.

The tranquil grounds around Lauriston Castle have become a magnet for walkers during lockdown and even more so since the opening of the Mimi’s outlet in August.

Mr Baker, who has also been calling for better maintenance around the estate in recent months, said when he arrived on Sunday afternoon, there were 53 cars parked on the grass next to the castle’s packed car park, and that he personally blocked a further 40 cars from following suit.

At present, Lauriston Castle has limited on-site parking, with just 33 available spaces and two disabled bays in a small tarmacked area near the main entrance. On Sunday, the car park was completely full, forcing visitors to park elsewhere.

Mr Baker says this is inadequate and that a long-term solution is needed to cater for visitors at the increasingly popular estate.

David Baker says there were more than 50 cars parked on the grass at Lauriston Castle on Sunday.

Speaking to the Evening News, Mr Baker said: “This has been going on since the cafe opened and also since the raising of concerns about Lauriston Castle, which has received widespread coverage.

"There is damage to the grass. There are so many cars now visiting the grounds and they [car owners] don’t seem to understand that just because the gate is opened, it doesn’t mean you should go through it. It’s took one person to park on the grass, then everyone else thinks that’s okay.”

After preventing more cars from parking on the grass on Sunday, Mr Baker says motorists turned back and parked on the street opposite houses at Barnton Gardens, causing upset among residents.

He said: “People started parking on the outside of the estate on the main road at both sides of the entrance, which in itself creates a problem and is quite dangerous.

David Baker is calling on Edinburgh Council to improve parking facilities at Lauriston Castle.

“I know the residents are not happy with the increased traffic.”

In the short-term, he says a simple sign prohibiting parking on the grass would help, along with padlocking the access gate to the grassy area.

Mr Baker has also suggested transforming a triangular strip of ground adjacent to the nearby Toby Carvery at Lauriston Farm Road into a car park, and says there is already a secondary access gate to Lauriston Castle from this area.

He added: "There are a number of solutions both in and out of the estate.

Dozens of cars descended on Lauriston Castle on Sunday afternoon.

"They could extend the existing car park, or create a new one on the opposite side. Externally, they could utilise the triangular area near the Toby Carvery. There is actually a gated entrance to Lauriston Castle there as well, so it would be very convenient.”

A spokesperson for Edinburgh Council said the gate leading to the grass area where cars were being parked without authorisation will now be padlocked closed.

In an official statement, Councillor Donald Wilson, Culture and Communities Convener said: “Lauriston Castle’s grounds have been a real draw in recent months and especially during weekends and holiday periods.

“While it’s great to see so many people enjoying these beautiful surroundings, there is limited parking at Lauriston and these increased visitor numbers have unfortunately led to some irresponsible and potentially dangerous parking on site, which has also damaged the grass.

“We’re grateful for the suggestions on how to mitigate the issues and are working to put measures in place as an urgent priority to keep visitors safe, promote alternative methods and active travel options when visiting, protect the grounds and minimise disruption to neighbouring streets.”

A message from the Editor:

Mr Baker is concerned about the damage to the castle grounds.

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