About Us

1. VISION

The Friends of the Pentlands Society seeks to act as a catalyst to promote the conservation, protection, and enhancement of the Pentland Hills, with particular emphasis upon recreational quality, public access, cultural heritage, landscape and biodiversity.

It is the wish of the founder members that the Society's work will demonstrate its all-embracing aspirations and its enthusiasm for integrated action and advocacy. It seeks to be anticipatory of change, advisory on land usage, educational, active where threats are perceived, and, above all, visionary in its approach to the environmental protection and enhancement of the Pentland Hills.

2. AREA OF INTEREST

The Society has defined its area of interest as being the area delineated by:

3. BACKGROUND

The inaugural meeting of the Friends of the Pentlands was held on 29 March 2003. On that occasion the late Dr Robin Aitken, a voluntary Pentland ranger, brought together a 'baker's dozen' of like-minded people who shared his enthusiasm to do something positive to protect and enhance the future of the Pentland Hills.

That initiative stemmed from two specific objectives in the Pentland Hills Regional Park Integrated Management Strategy. First, a commitment to establish "an independent friends group" and, second, a commitment "to encourage wider participation by the public".

An interim Executive Council was appointed in late 2003 to draft a Constitution and draw up plans for the immediate future. An inaugural walk was held on 4 April 2004 and, on 6 April, a public meeting was held to promote the Society's aspirations and to seek support for its work.

The Society's first AGM was held on 11 May 2004. At that meeting the Constitution was approved, an Executive Council was elected, and subscription rates were set for 2005. The Society has subsequently been recognised as a Scottish Charity.

4. OBJECTIVES

The Society's objectives are set out in its Action Plan which is revised annually.