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Coronavirus update from 17 May 2021

Latest update

Map of local authority boundaries in the Pentland Hills Regional Park

ABOVE - RED LINE IS PARK BOUNDARY, BLACK LINES ARE LOCAL AUTHORITY BOUNDARIES

Level 2 areas, from Monday 17 May 2021.

The Pentland Hills Regional Park is covered by three different local authorities: City of Edinburgh, Midlothian, and West Lothian. The Regional Park bounds the Scottish Borders to the south. All local authority areas in this region will be under Level 2 regulations. 

Download the Government "timetable for easing coronavirus restrictions."

Read more about the guidance on what you can and cannot do from 17 May.

Government advice is that from 17 May you can:

  • meet in groups of up to 8 adults from 8 households socially outdoors, for recreation or exercise (under 12s do not count towards the number of people meeting or households). You should maintain a 2m distance from others in your group.

 

Camping

Wild camping will be permitted. Wild camping should be done in small groups (no more than 8 adults from 8 households), and all litter should be removed in accordance with the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

Please note it is against City of Edinburgh Council Park Management Rules to camp in a park or greenspace within one mile of a public road.

 

Explore your local greenspaces

We know the Pentlands are a fantastic resource for exercise and getting away from it all. It is likely that the car parks will be under a lot of pressure. If you haven’t already discovered the wealth of outdoor space in your local area please use the links below to discover what parks, woodlands, waterways, walks and cycle ways are close to you:

Edinburgh:

Parks and Greenspace www.edinburghoutdoors.org.uk/

Walking and cycling www.edinburgh.gov.uk/cycling-walking

Check out this map of Edinburgh's parks.

Midlothian:

Parks and Greenspace www.midlothian.gov.uk/directory/7/parks/category/19

Walking and cycling www.midlothian.gov.uk/info/200226/walking_and_cycling

West Lothian:

Parks and Greenspace www.westlothian.gov.uk/parks-and-woodland

Walking and cycling www.westlothian.gov.uk/walks-in-west-lothian www.westlothian.gov.uk/cycling

 

Outdoor access during COVID-19

The current guidance in relation to the Scottish Outdoor Access Code for COVID-19 is:

  • Maintain your distance – please stay at least 2 metres away from other people and if possible, try to avoid busy times on popular paths or places.
  • Respect the health and safety of farmers and others working the land – please follow all reasonable requests and signs to avoid particular areas, such as farmyards, fields with pregnant or young livestock, and other busy working areas.
  • Keep your dog under control – please put them on a lead or keep them close at heel and do not let them approach other people or livestock. We have had disturbing reports of dog attacks on sheep recently. Be aware that land managers can shoot dogs harassing sheep.
  • Avoid contact – try to avoid touching surfaces and if possible, plan a route that does not require you to open gates.

For full details read the Scottish Outdoor Access Code for COVID-19 here.

 

Published: 14th May 2021