About Us

To protect and enhance the natural beauty and upland character of the Pentland Hills it's waters and surrounding countryside. Declaring that "the Pentlands" shall mean the Pentland Hills and surrounding countryside

To protect and enhance the natural and cultural heritage and features of public amenity within this area

To encourage respect for the quality of life of those who live and work within this area

To carry out environmental projects that enhance public access and biodiversity

To encourage high standards of design in all work undertaken within this area

To provide an annual programme of activities to foster the enjoyment of healthy exercise, an appreciation of the environments and social and cultural history

To promote the forming of appropriate planning policies, compatible with these purposes, through the considered long term development plan process and their effective and consistent implementation

To stimulate public interest in these purposes by means of publications, meetings, exhibitions, appeals and other forms of publicity

To co-operate with other bodies to promote the foregoing purposes

The City of Edinburgh By-pass in the north;

The A702 in the east;

The A70 in the west and

The minor road from Dolphinton, via Dunsyre to Newbigging, and then the A721 to Carnwath in the south.

Comply with the relevant guidance from the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR)

Seek to ensure that, as far as is practical, the Organisation’s work demonstrates its all-embracing aspirations; its wish to be a catalyst for integrated action; its enthusiasm for advocacy; its wish to avoid being overtly political, yet retaining its right to lobby when necessary, especially with regard to perceived threats; and its hope that its work will, in the long term, lead to an inspirational approach to the environmental protection and enhancement of the Pentland Hills.

Recognise that, as an all-volunteer body, its capabilities and influence are limited. In recognition of that reality the Organisation will seek, whenever appropriate, to obtain advice from and/or work with bodies that have greater expertise in the field of natural and cultural heritage and conservation and biodiversity.

Use its membership of the Pentland Hills Regional Park Consultative Forum to co-operate with the Regional Park, bearing in mind, however, that the Society’s interests may not always coincide with those of the Park, and that the Organisation’s area of interest extends well beyond the boundaries of the Regional Park.

Maintain mutually beneficial relationships with Local Authority Access Officers, landowners, and other organisations with an interest in the Pentlands.

Monitor planning applications lodged with Local Authorities or the Scottish Government to ascertain their potential impact on the Society’s area of interest and, when necessary, to submit an appropriate response.

Apply for membership of those bodies that the Board considers will help with achieving the Organisation’s purposes

To consider the possibility of establishing a path ranger survey service for that area of the Pentland Hills which lies outwith the boundaries of the Regional Park.

To promote the extension of the Regional Park in order that it may cover the whole area of the Society’s interest.

To assist with developments at Harperrig.

To develop additional Pentland wildlife leaflets.

To continue to carry out a programme of path maintenance

To carry out a programme of path inspections

To develop appropriate new paths in conjunction with others

To carry out a programme of countryside furniture inspections (for items installed by the Friends of the Pentlands i.e stiles, boardwalks etc)

To maintain the Harlaw Wild Life Garden in conjunction with the Natural Heritage Service

To develop mini-arboreta within the Pentland Hills and to develop interpretation boards

To continue to maintain a wildflower meadow at Bavelaw

To continue to carry out a litter picking programme

To continue to develop the mutually beneficial relationship with the Balerno Ramblers and local TCV group

To attend local fairs/events to promote the Friends of the Pentlands

To give talks to promote the Friends of the Pentlands

To maintain and develop a website

To issue an annual review and two editions of the Pentland Post in the calendar year

The Society aims to maintain reserve funds of not less than £7500 and not more than £10000

Administrative costs to be met from membership fees, including gift aid

To build a sheep stell in conjunction with the Dry Stane Walling Association

Hold an Access for All event