Читать книгу Walking in the Pentland Hills. 30 walks in Edinburgh's local hills онлайн

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Recognition of the Pentlands’ role in Edinburgh’s recreation activities, and the need for protection of the hills, has been noted for decades. Letters to The Scotsman in November 1945 suggested that the Pentlands become the United Kingdom’s first national park, dedicated to the memory of those who gave their lives for their country in the Second World War. But it was not until the late 1960s that the Pentlands were considered for legislative protection under the Countryside (Scotland) Act 1967, and the idea of designating the area a regional park was first mooted. After much debate, eventually leading to a public enquiry, on 12 September 1986 the Secretary of State for Scotland confirmed that 9158 hectares of the Pentland Hills was designated a regional park.

The act of designating this area a regional park served to acknowledge the beauty of the landscape, the importance of the wildlife, and the recreational value of this working area. As a regional park, the objective is to retain and enhance the essential character of the hills as a place for peaceful enjoyment of the countryside.