19 December 2023

A total of 3,650 people signed a petition calling for Historic Environment Scotland (HES) to urgently act to reopen Edinburgh’s iconic Radical Road path. 

HES shut the iconic 200-year-old path on 11 September 2018 due to concerns about rockfall. It is one of the most popular ways up Arthur’s Seat – one of Edinburgh’s top attractions on TripAdvisor - yet five years on, it remains blocked and ringed by ugly fencing. 

Ramblers Scotland, Cockburn Association, Edinburgh Geological Society, Mountaineering Scotland and ScotWays submitted the joint petition (full text below) before the deadline of HES’ public consultation into the broader management of Holyrood Park. 

Helen Todd, Ramblers Scotland's campaigns & policy manager, said: “We’ve seen a remarkable response to our Radical Road petition, from an incredibly broad range of voices. 

“The campaign is uniting walkers, climbers, runners, geologists, businesses, civic leaders and more. Even international health and safety figureheads have signed and criticised HES' flawed approach to risk. 

“People are shocked that HES appears to have made no progress in half a decade and that its consultation on the future of Holyrood Park fails to address the Radical Road issues.

"We hope HES will reflect on the strength of feeling and take urgent action to reopen the 200-year-old path for all to enjoy.”
 

Campaigners want HES to weigh the low risk of rockfall injury against the harm the closure causes to the economy, landscape, tourism and people’s health and wellbeing.  

Ramblers Scotland director Brendan Paddy said: “HES must immediately see sense and stop managing this world-famous geological feature like a crumbling historic building. Residents and tourists should be advised of the risks then allowed to make informed decisions, like everywhere else in Scotland.” 

HES’ own risk assessment fails to mention that outdoor recreation is enjoyed at people’s own risk across Scotland every single day, by thousands of people. This includes popular sites where signage is used to advise of potential risks such as cliffs, tides or forestry and farming.

The petition

Historic Environment Scotland (HES) unilaterally shut Edinburgh's iconic Radical Road path in Holyrood Park on 11 September 2018 due to concerns about rockfall.

Sadly, half a decade later the 200-year-old recorded Right of Way remains shut.

Campaigners met on Sunday 3 December 2023 for a public meeting, where it was decided to launch this petition.

We want HES to urgently reopen the Radical Road.

The Radical Road is one of the most popular ways to walk and run up Arthur's Seat - one of Edinburgh's top attractions on TripAdvisor - yet it remains blocked and ringed by ugly fencing. 

The path is also hugely important to boulderers seeking to climb on Salisbury Crags, geologists from around the world following in the footsteps of James Hutton and to tourists wanting panoramic views of the city.

HES is consulting the public until 19 December on the future management of Holyrood Park. Shockingly, their consultation completely fails to address the future of the Radical Road. 

We will share this Radical Road petition with them on 19 December, so please sign immediately!

It is farcical that HES has failed to reopen the Radical Road, following half a decade of missed deadlines and broken promises. HES must stop managing this world-famous geological feature like a crumbling historic building.

HES should put up signs advising of the risks - and continue to monitor the rock face - then let the public make their own informed decisions, just like everywhere else in Scotland.

The time for action is now.