Environmental Issues
Over half a million people live near the Pentlands and there are also many who come to visit this beautiful part of Scotland. A significant number of people use the Pentlands for a wide range of activities. The steady increase of use over the years has caused some problems, notably
1. Disturbance to farm animals (and to wildlife)
2. Ground damage
3. Sometimes, vehicle parking
The Carnethy 5 attracts roughly 600-700 runners, helpers and spectators, and as organisers, we MUST try to make OUR impact as low as we can. For that reason, we are making the following points:
We have been asked to make a request to runners training for the Carnethy 5. Please use certain parts of the course as little as possible, preferably not at all, prior to race day.
These parts are:
a) the ascent of Scald Law from Charlie’s Loup (consult a map of the course)
b) the descent from West Kip to the Howe
c) the ascent of Carnethy from the Howe
The scree on the descent of Carnethy to Charlie’s Loup should always be avoided as it is very fragile and will not climb back up again after we have pushed it all downhill.
These requests come from one of the farmers who lives near West Kip over whose land most of the Carnethy 5 is run. He has been an enthusiastic supporter of our hill races for almost forty years and we owe him!
The farmer’s ewes are due to lamb a month or so after the race and will be particularly sensitive to disturbance. They tend to keep away from busy parts of the hills and we disturb them when we run across their ground. They stop eating and they run away. Both are bad for pregnant ewes.
It should not be hard to devise ways of using the ridge path from Turnhouse to the Kips and the path from Charlie’s Loup to the Howe to make up the equivalent in distance and ascent of the actual race.
As mentioned elsewhere (e.g. the Race Information sheet) please do not park at the start, either on the road, or in any fields.
Please help us with this. We MUST try to co-operate with the owners and farmers if this race is to continue to be held.
With thanks in advance for your assistance and understanding.