HWUMC

There have been nesting boxes attached to the crag on the larger block at Limekilns, apparently in an attempt by the landowner to stop people climbing. If you go there to climb please don't do anything to the boxes as any "vandalism" could allow the landowner to get a permanent access ban.

The MCofS has apparently been informed and it's best if we leave this to them. For more info see this thread on ukc:

http://www.ukclimbing.com/forums/t.php?n=358736

Here are some contacts you may like to lobby to try and rectify this situation:

MCofS Access Contact: hebe@mountaineering-scotland.org.uk

MSP for Dunfermline West and Villages: jim.tolson.msp@scottish.parliament.uk

Local Councillor for Kincardine and West Fife Coastal Villages is Cllr. Willie Ferguson, see online contact option at: http://www.fife.gov.uk/orgs/index.cfm?f ... 282A603BF0

And the Bat Conservation Trust contact is: ayoungman@bats.org.uk


Cheers
Mike W

I've posted these details to the eJMCS, Jacobites MC and EMC too

Can we have some "official" lobbying from the HWUMC as well please, Mr President?

Cheers
MW

An update - Good News! The boxes have been taken down!

I've cut'n'pasted some relevant stuff which may explain the goings on at Limekilns(?)

Here's a quote from an email I got from Beryl Leatherland, MCofS regional access rep.:

".... when Tom and I went over to the crags tonight as I wanted some good photos of the batboxes and Tom hadnt seen them, when we arrived they had disappeared! I'll investigate further tomorrow, but I suspect it could have shtg to do with the fellow I spoke with at length in the estate office yesterday, as he seemed pretty clued up. It looks as if we are OK at the moment but I anticipate the estate will now repair the holes in the fences so I am going to work on trying to get an alternative access arrangement in place as obviously going through a vandalised fence isnt a suitable long-term arrangement!"

Here's another quote from the latest Jacobites newsletter, which may explain why:

"The dormant issue of access to Limekilns crag has reared up again. On Monday (8th June), what appear to be bat boxes were attached to the faces of The Gellet Rock. Limekilns is two limestone crags located beside the village of Charlestown near Rosyth in Fife (here). They are fine crags with some very good middle grade climbs of which there is not a preponderance in the Central Belt. There have been problems of access here in the past. It is suspected, though by no means
definitively proved, that the boxes were deliberately erected to encourage bats, or other protected wildlife, to nest thereby preventing climbing on the crags. Fife Council's Access Officer and The Mountaineering Council of Scotland were informed. It transpires that the boxes were then removed on Thursday 11th June. The issue of access to these crags will be a topic on the BBC Radio Scotland programme Out of Doors. Transmission times are: Saturday 13 June from 06:30 to 08:00 and a more civilised Sunday 14 June from 11:00 to 12:00. A vlevely discussion is on www.ukclimbing.com and other climbing forums."

Interesting!!!! God bless the BBC?

See you all soon - Off to Skye on Saturday - Happy days

MW

mwicks1968 wrote:I've posted these details to the eJMCS, Jacobites MC and EMC too

Can we have some "official" lobbying from the HWUMC as well please, Mr President?

Cheers
MW

As outgoing president and having just read the thread on UKClimbing, I think that it would be appropriate for us to volunteer our services to any re-furbishment work that needs to be carried out.

What does evebody else think? Would you be interested in helping out with access to teh limekilns crag?

Let m eknow and we'll put an email together for the MCoS.

Craig.

I would certainly be willing to volunteer some time and energy. I think it can only help the case if we show willing to help out with the situation.

An email to the MCofS seems like the best way to go as well. If I've not heard about any further developments (either on UKC or by any other means) I think I'll email Beryl just to try to find out what the current situation is. But I reckon it would aid the MCofS's negotiations if we do it sooner rather than later (i.e. this week ideally).

Well I'm prettty close to Limekilns and I like hitting things with hammers so yeah I'll probably be up for it.

I'm guessing refurbishment means sorting out a fence/gate/style and a bit of rubbish clean up.

Ross