Fourth cow attack on Pentlands path

Walkers have been urged to remain vigilant while Scotland’s Rural College investigate options to redirect a path that is becoming notoriously dangerous.

Pentland Hills, stock photo.

A fourth cow attack on Friday October 16 has prompted calls for the walking path in the Pentland Hills to be redirected to prevent further incidents occurring.

James Gentles (60) required stitches after being charged by one of the animals in the herd on Turnhouse Hill last weekend, it was reported.

Mr Gentles said he was out walking with his wife and saw the cows on the path as he approached. He said: “All of a sudden one of the cows started to snort. I stood still as I knew if I ran it would chase me.

Mark Hartree - who was attacked by a cow in August.

“It put its head down, its hooves went forward quickly and it charged.”

A spokesperson for Scotland’s Rural College, which owns the herd, said: “We take all incidents on our farms very seriously. To support safer public access, additional signage was in place and we are working with the regional park’s natural heritage officers to look at options to redirect this path. The cattle are being moved off the land for the winter.”

A similar incident occurred on August 22, 2020 to Mark Hartree, 53, a keen runner and president of Carnethy Hill Running Club.

Mr Hartree was taking part in a virtual extreme triathlon with a friend in the same area when he accidentally came between a cow and its calf.

He said: “This cow ran at me and knocked me over onto a broken old wall. I cracked the back of my head on the stones and then had this cow thrashing around on top of me, with its head trying to maul me.”

Mr Hartree warned other walkers and runners to exercise caution in the area and has called for more action to prevent further attacks.

In the wake of the fourth attack, Neil Gardiner, convener of the Pentland Hills Regional Park joint committee, said: “We have erected signage in the area to remind the public to take caution when walking near cows and their calves, and I would urge people to pay extra attention.”