Pentland Hills: Plan to create new campsite after rise in antisocial complaints

Campsite could be created after Harlaw, Threipmuir and Bonaly saw campers flock to the areas.

Tents at Harlaw Reservoir. Picture; Nigel Duncan

A formal campsite could be created at a Lothians beauty spot to help crack down on antisocial behaviour.

The proposal is contained in a discussion paper circulated to city councillors and the Edinburgh Evening News has seen a copy of the three-page document.

It claims a formal campsite in the Pentland Hills Regional Park could help contain camping and help enforce rules in the Harlaw and Bonaly areas

No actual site is specified but key stakeholders could be involved in talks.

The report comes hard on the heels of a barrage of complaints from local people about rubbish, including human waste, plus litter and car parking chaos after lockdown was relaxed.

Harlaw, Threipmuir and Bonaly, and also the lower woodland area of Bonaly Country Park have become a mecca for campers in recent weeks.

And the detailed report declared: “Many campers are not behaving responsibly and are leaving significant amounts of litter, including human waste, sanitary items and toilet paper.

“Campers are sourcing wood for campfires from living trees and, when accessing the water to swim, are impacting on recreational anglers who pay to fish on the reservoirs.”

Public toilets were closed throughout Scotland due to Covid-19. One at Harlaw has not been suitable for re-opening.

Overall, the report details that there has been an increase in the number of people camping in the area and this has further escalated during the coronavirus outbreak, with many now visiting in larger groups.

The document added: “Often these groups have significant levels of antisocial behaviour associated with them.

“Evidence from staff engaging with these groups is that some are visiting from further afield eg Glasgow and Dundee, specifically to camp in these areas.”

The Scottish Outdoor Access Code defines wild camping as lightweight, done in small numbers and only for two or three nights in any one place.

If a formal campsite was created then it is likely that planning permission would be required but no licence for a camp site is, said the document, required in Scotland.

Creating designated camping areas would mean restricting general public access and the suggestion is that fire pits would be installed.

Wood will be available to be bought during the day and the tent pitch sites would be “suitably” set back from the fire pits.

Emergency fire and water buckets should be available next to each fire site.

The report added: “Staff input would be required to take bookings, collect fees, keep sites tidy, monitor usage.

“Construction of a compost toilet or similar would be required unless existing toilets on site can be used. A water supply will be necessary for dishwashing/drinking purposes.”

Pentland Hills Regional Park officers have been instructed to monitor the camping situation and provide information to campers, landowners and stakeholders.

The document concludes: “A partnership approach will be key to resolving these issues and a wider discussion with the principal stakeholders to explore all options and agree an approach will be initiated.”