Access issues at Salisbury Crags

Mountaineering Scotland has joined with The Cockburn Association, Ramblers Scotland and Scotways in sending a letter to the Chief Executive of Historic Environment Scotland (HES) over access issues at Holyrood Park in Edinburgh.

We have had previous correspondence with HES about the security fencing that excluded everyone from the Radical Road and South Quarry, expressing our concerns about their interpretation of risk avoidance and unilateral action to restrict access.

Our concerns are shared by other recreation and amenity groups, and we have jointly asked for an urgent meeting with members the HES senior management team. We think that the restrictions along the Radical Road due to potential rock falls needs to be considered on a park-wide basis, and in with full consultation with representatives of the interests affected by their actions.

This includes addressing the issue of a Right of Way being blocked off without following proper legal procedures.

Historic Environment Scotland manages Holyrood Park and, following a number of rockfalls from Salisbury Crags, had installed metal barriers and notices warning of the hazard in 2018, stopping people walking along the Radical Road, below Salisbury Crags. This effectively prohibited access to South Quarry, which offers some good bouldering and short routes and has been enjoyed by a great many residents of Edinburgh and surrounding area, as it is a readily accessible recreational resource.

Read the joint letter to HES here.