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Sheep
fatalities in the Pentlands “This lambing season has been the worst for many years, with dog owners ignoring signs and allowing their pets to run free in areas where sheep and lambs are grazing. We’ve had some horrendous attacks this year and the industry can’t take much more. On top of the attacks it seems that a lot of people don’t realise that simply letting a dog run near sheep kills unborn lambs. It is vital to the future of industry in this area that dogs are kept on a lead at all times.” Under the 1953 Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act, it is an offence for dogs to attack, chase or worry any livestock at any time of the year and a farmer is allowed to shoot a dog caught doing so. One dog has been shot this year already. The best
place to let your dog run free is Hillend Country Park, where there
is no grazing sheep. There is no guarantee that your dog will not come
into contact with sheep everywhere else in the Pentland Hills. Pentland Hills Produce – going from strength to strength - Thank you! Following
the launch of our marketing group in 2001, with the support of the Pentland
Hills Regional Park our members continue to work hard to produce a quality
product from the stock grown on the land within the Regional Park. With
your support, our local community, our horizons grow. Pentland Inspiration Competition Following on from the success of the competition in 2006 which attracted the work of 59 people with 20 paintings and 97 photographs, we are opening up the competition once again. This year to help you enter we have changed the rules slightly. The Friends of the Pentlands are one of our main sponsors and they care for the hills within the Regional Park as well as those hills that lie out with the Park, so your art or photograph this year can include images from the whole of the Pentland Hill range all the way down to Dunsyre and Carnwath. For the photographers amongst you we have created four categories in which you can enter your photographs. The categories are landscape, close up, wildlife and activity (people enjoying and using the Pentland Hills). You will need to decide which category you wish to enter your photograph in and you can enter up to three photographs. If you would like to enter then please pick up an entry form from Harlaw House or Flotterstone Visitor Centre or download a copy of the entry form. Financial support has been provided by the Regioanl Park, Scottish Natural Heritage and the Friends of the Pentlands. The Friends and the Park’s own Volunteer Ranger Service provide much needed hands on support behind the scenes and their help is always gratefully received. Please read the rules of the competition before submitting your entry. We look forward to viewing your inspirational images. Download
the Pentlands Inspiration Competition Entry Form and Rules (pdf, 262
kb) Regional
Park Manager Carol Ritchie leaves Carol was seconded to the Pentland Hills Regional Park as Park Manager in 2001, on a temporary basis, and stayed for 7 years. During this period she has; steered the Park through the aftermath of Foot and Mouth Disease, assisted with the development of Pentland Hills Produce, managed our strategic input for new access legislation, ensured our website was up and running, lead the establishment of the consultative forum, participated in promoting rural tourism through Leader+, assisted in organising the 5th International Ranger Congress and last but by no means least, managed the production of a 10 year Pentland Hills Regional Park Plan. This plan sets out a strategic framework for the Park for its future sustainable management and is a challenging vision for the next decade. Carol will
exchange her office in the Pentlands for one in the foothills of the
Bavarian Alps and says she will miss the rolling hills and the proximity
to the sea. Scotland on VideoThe Pentland Hills Regional Park has been an active member and supporter of the Midlothian Tourism Forum. This group comprises of those in the visitor-related sector with an interest in promoting what Midlothian can offer, thereby encouraging visits to the area and sustaining the local economy. The Pentland Hills Regional Park with over half a million visits annually is a significant part of both the Midlothian landscape and potentially a catalyst for a sustainable local economy.It was therefore a pleasure for the park to take part in a year long project with the Midlothian Tourism Forum to create a new web portal. Midlothian on Video
will be part of a new Scotland on Video website where visitors can access
beautifully filmed clips of Midlothian attractions and be a one stop
shop for information about the area as well.
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