Police patrol near Pentland Hills car parks as illegal parking warning issued to drivers with public heading outdoors for exercise in the snow

Police are carrying out patrols close to car parks in the Pentland Hills today after reports of chaos in some areas on Tuesday.

Concerns were raised about car park overflow at Flotterstone and drivers reported struggling in the wintry conditions to access Castlelaw Car Park as people took to the outdoors for some exercise in the snow.

Pictures taken by the Edinburgh Evening News on Tuesday also showed vehicles parked up in a bus stop close to Flotterstone Car Park.

In a social media post shared late this morning, Midlothian Police said the car parks at Flotterstone are already full and that Castlelaw remained “inaccessible due to ice.”

Cars parked in a bus stop near Flotterstone Car Park on Tuesday, December 29. Pic: Andrew O'Brien

Police said parking is also banned on a stretch of the A702 road between Glencorse and Mauricewood.

The post said: “If you're in the area, please park in a designated car park as officers will be carrying out patrols to ensure people are staying safe.

“If there is nowhere safe to park then please visit another day and don’t park illegally. You should not obstruct any footpaths as these are designed to keep members of the public safe and prevent them from having to walk on a roadway.”

Many people have been out in Edinburgh and the Lothians enjoying some exercise in the snow during the Scottish Government’s current level four Covid restrictions. Under these restrictions, people can travel across regional boundaries for essential reasons such as exercise.

A maximum number of six people from two different households can meet outdoors, although children under the age of 12 are excluded from this number.

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