Castle bans cyclists « CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum

CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » General Edinburgh

Castle bans cyclists

(40 posts)

Started 14 years ago by chdot
Latest reply from chdot

No tags yet.

12 Next »

chdot
Admin

"
SCOTTISH soldiers have been banned from finishing a charity cycle trip at Edinburgh Castle because of health and safety rules.

The squad of six are due to complete a gruelling 1750-mile trip by bike from Italy to Scotland today.

But they have been forced to abandon the original plan to cycle all the way to the Army HQ inside Edinburgh Castle in case they have an accident.

Major Frank Morton, of the Royal Regiment of Scotland Association, blasted the decision as "unbelievable".

"

http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/topstories/9am-Briefing-Stabbings-leave-one.6745596.jp

Posted 14 years ago #
Dave
Member

We were once turned away from the castle because we cycled there. Not even from the castle itself (more understandable) but from the car park!

Needless to say we didn't bother trying to come back.

Posted 14 years ago #
kaputnik
Moderator

I saw their original tweet announcing this and tweeted them to wish them good luck and warn them of Historic Scotland's "Historic" attitude to cycle access. They tweeted back and said they had planned to get off and walk the last 15-25 metres and get some pictures. Not even sceptical I would have thought that HS could be quite so closed-minded and obstinate as this.

Posted 14 years ago #
Smudge
Member

It does seem a rather over zealous implimentation of a questionable policy, (to put it very mildly!).

They appear to like to forget that it's been an Army base for considerably longer than it has been a cash cow for Hysteric Scotland...

Posted 14 years ago #
druidh
Member

Nobody objected when I took this photo. (The barrier was handy for leaning the bike against too.

Posted 14 years ago #
amir
Member

Is that a Van Nick?

Posted 14 years ago #
wee folding bike
Member

I was asked to dismount on the esplanade but I took a Brompton into the castle in an IKEA Dimpa bag. Nobody seemed to mind.

Posted 14 years ago #
ExcitableBoy
Member

On Sunday I was out for a ride, letting my bike lead me and ended up at the castle. I was cycling at about 3 mph next to the pedestrians when I was told I had to get off my bike, due to health & safety concerns . However, people who work at the castle were driving in to park! It was no big deal, but for some reason really irritating. [ I then cycled down and back up Ramsay Lane to see what it was like - but that's a different thread].

Posted 14 years ago #
Wilmington's Cow
Member

Does NO-ONE remember my 7 hills report???

H&S was quoted at me as well - it's not H&S per se, but ridiculous applications of what people think H&S is...

Posted 14 years ago #
Wilmington's Cow
Member

This was the new thread about the esplanade....

Posted 14 years ago #
LaidBack
Member

Does NO-ONE remember my 7 hills report???

I do...

Of course the 'old' HS attitude to bikes is/was shown on the abysmal stats from Holyrood Park which showed you were four times more likely to see an 'illegal' vehicle than someone on a bike. That's all changing now I hope. (CC link to follow)

I trust that HS at the Castle will revise its attitude to welcome cyclists and ban the stretched limos that go round the esplanade in the evening (when I'm dog walking :-(

Posted 14 years ago #
druidh
Member

@amir - yes, it is an Amazon with some Kinesis DC19 forks.

Posted 14 years ago #
amir
Member

@druidh - ah, nice - I've recently obtained a Mistral but it's not as adaptable as the Amazon.

(still talking about bikes)

Posted 14 years ago #
PS
Member

'Major Frank Morton, of the Royal Regiment of Scotland Association, blasted the decision as "unbelievable".'

Heh, "blasted" one of those words only ever used by sensationalist newspapers. Keep up the "good work" EEN...

Back OT, I had no problem last time I cycled on the esplanade. That was on Christmas morning though.

Posted 14 years ago #
DaveC
Member

You couldn't make it up. They'll send them to Afganistan, but they can't cycle on cobbles!

I too hate the blanket use of H&S as an excuse for anything they don't want the hastle of explaining the safety reasons for. I recall sending our eldest son to nursery where they stated he must wear shoes at all time in the 2nd year class. Having not worn shoes the years before, when I asked why, the answer was simply 'Health & Safety'. The staff couldn't give me any actual reason's, like they have free reign to go outside if they wish, so wear shoes all the time to save putting them on or taking them off when going and coming.

Posted 14 years ago #
PS
Member

Rather than answer "health & safety" it would probably be more honest to answer "so you can't sue us if something goes wrong".

Posted 14 years ago #
gembo
Member

Would the EEN ever run with

Fury at Brave Army Charity Cyclists turned away from castle

?

Posted 14 years ago #
chdot
Admin

"
PRESS RELEASE

11/4/11

FOOL AROUND AT EDINBURGH CASTLE THIS EASTER!

ENJOY A LONG WEEKEND OF REVELRY AT FUN FAMILY EVENT
Easter Revelry
Scotland’s favourite heritage attraction, Edinburgh Castle, is set for a cracking Easter!

The iconic stronghold is hosting ‘Easter Revelry’ - a long weekend of fun-filled and interactive family shows featuring magic, juggling, comedy and dance on Saturday 23rd, Sunday 24th and Monday 25th April.

Starting at 12 noon and finishing at 4pm on each of the three days, the event promises a packed and varied programme with entertainment from The Tartan Juggler, magical wizard Kramus Nexifius, comic Easter favourites Baron Hardegg and Hugo Softboiled, colourful Renaissance dancers Danse Ecosse, and birds of prey.

And there are lots of treats in store for children, who’ll have a chance to bag a fantastic prize in Roary the Lion’s Easter Expl-roar-er Quiz. Little explorers will be challenged to test their knowledge of Edinburgh Castle and the stronghold’s expert team of stewards will be on hand to help out. No child will go home empty-handed so there’s no need for parents to fear tantrums or tears!

Entry to Edinburgh Castle, and the ‘Easter Revelry’ event, is free for Historic Scotland members - so if you buy membership on the day, there’s no charge for all of the great entertainment and of course the opportunity to make the most of your day out by exploring the attraction.

Costing less than £7 a month for a family, membership enables free admission to all of Historic Scotland’s 78 paid-entry visitor attractions throughout the country, as well as free entry to a host of special events taking place at them throughout the year.

You can also buy membership in advance of your trip to the castle by visiting:
http://members.historic-scotland.gov.uk/Netcommunity/

For non-members, the cost of the event is included in the castle’s normal admission price: adult £14, concession £11.20 and child £8.20.

Edinburgh Castle Executive Manager Nick Finnigan said: “Our Easter Revelry event is all about fun for all the family so the programme features a range of performances that all ages can enjoy and activities that families can join in and do together. It’s an opportunity to enjoy a really great day out at Edinburgh Castle, taking part in the fun, experiencing the shows, and exploring the castle.

“Special events like this really demonstrate the value of Historic Scotland membership because you can enjoy a fantastic day out at family events like this or free. And for non-members too, as all the entertainment included in the ticket price, it’s excellent value for a visit to Scotland’s most famous attraction.”

To add to visitors’ enjoyment, the Queen Anne Café in the castle’s Crown Square is offering a tempting Easter menu for £18.50. This features starters of minestroni soup, hot smoked salmon Caesar salad, and Haggis, neeps and tatties, with mains including Mediterranean vegetable cannelloni, and roast saddle of lamb, wit herb stuffing, gratin potatoes and sugar snap peas. Desserts include rich dark chocolate tart with strawberries and hot apple pie and vanilla sauce

Ends.

For further information, interviews and images:

Paul Spence, Historic Scotland: 0131 668 8731

Ellen Drummond Ferroni, Historic Scotland: 07801 820757

NOTES FOR EDITORS

Edinburgh Castle is one of 345 outstanding historic properties and sites throughout the country in the care of Historic Scotland. These include some of Scotland’s leading tourism attractions and most important heritage sites. Some of the most popular, in addition to Edinburgh Castle, include Stirling, St Andrews and Urquhart Castles, Fort George, Linlithgow Palace, the Border Abbeys, and Skara Brae. For further details visit: http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/places

Historic Scotland’s mission is: to safeguard Scotland’s historic environment and to promote its understanding and enjoyment.

For details of Historic Scotland’s exciting 2011 events programme – which features a diverse range of colourful events at historic attractions throughout the country - visit http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/events

· Historic Scotland around the web: http://www.twitter.com/welovehistory, http://www.facebook.com – search for Make Your Own History, http://www.youtube.com/historicscotlandtv and http://www.flickr.com/groups/makeyourownhistory

"

Posted 14 years ago #
wee folding bike
Member

Baron Hardegg and Hugo Softboiled are always funny.

Last Easter at Stirling castle a bottle of IRN-BRU exploded over Hugo but he was a trooper and kept going.

He got more laughs too.

Posted 14 years ago #
wee folding bike
Member

Brompton S2L-X went to the castle today. I dropped memsahib and boys at the castle and parked the wagon near the duck pond in Holyrood.

Had I been able to find bike racks near the castle I might have used an older Brompton and locked it outside but I didn't so the Brompton went on a tour of the castle with me.

Note to self - Setts on the Royal Mile, 125 psi Stelvios and hard suspension block not fun.

Posted 13 years ago #
kaputnik
Moderator

Other castles are available (that welcome bikes). There was even a whole one bike rack. I chose to prop mine against the keep. The resident Historic Scotland man in tartan trews was too busy selling us overpriced tubs of made in Huntly ice cream to bother yelling "Oi! No cycling on the grass!"

Posted 13 years ago #
wee folding bike
Member

I like Blackness.

I've had tubs of ice cream there too. Food in Edinburgh seemed more spendy than Stirling where we usually go. I think Blackness and Castle Campbell for picnics this summer.

Posted 13 years ago #
chdot
Admin

Posted 13 years ago #
splitshift
Member

agree, blackness is good. many summers spent there. Lithgae peel is good too and if I ever get flikr/photos on here (working on it now !) then you can see me and my son at linlithgow palace munching scones and pies !

Posted 13 years ago #
wee folding bike
Member

The jousting event is on at Linlithgow this summer but I'm not sure if we will be able to go.

I'm not going to the Royal apartments in Stirling for the opening day because it's a paid for event. I'll go see them later on in the summer.

Posted 13 years ago #
kaputnik
Moderator

Castle bans cyclists

But not celebrity rickshawists

I recall that the help for heroes cycle by army veterans got denied access to the esplanade. Obviously they had 1 wheel too few each. Or weren't "famous" enough.

All other forms of pedal powered transport remain too high a risk to life and limb and the fabric of the castle to be allowed access.

15 tonne, left-hand drive coaches still welcome.

Posted 13 years ago #
Wilmington's Cow
Member

Oh that's ridiculous! Right, letter to Historic Scotland...

"Dear Sirs

I note with gratitude that it appears the cycle ban on the Esplanade of Edinburgh Castle has been lifted. I can only assume that this is the case after Matt Baker's send-off on his charity rikshaw ride.

I have only tried to cycle onto the Esplanade once, roughly a year ago, when I was stopped at the entrance and told that 'Health and Safety' dictated I could not cycle there as 'people cannot see bikes'. It seemed slightly odd given while we had our (good natured) chat a number of taxis entered the Esplanade to deposit passengers, and one tour bus did a circuit. I would presume both of these conveyances have greater potential harm for the many pedestrian tourists, but I'm happy to be corrected on this. I was slightly disappointed because Castle Rock was the culmination of a ride around the 7 Hills of Edinburgh and was the sole mount which eluded me on two wheels.

Mind you, I wasn't as disappointed as I imagine the Help for Heroes cyclists were at finding out their charity ride would have to dismount.

So it is with great cheer that I note the removal of the ban. For clarification, can you confirm that the ban has indeed been lifted, or is it only famous television presenters who are afforded a warm welcome?

Yours sincerely blah blah blah"

Posted 13 years ago #
kaputnik
Moderator

Careful, I wouldn't go as far as saying he's "famous" ;)

Otherwise, spot on!

Posted 13 years ago #
PS
Member

Well, weather permitting, I'll be cycling all over the esplanade on Christmas Day in my own Christ Mass ride... It's amazing the places you can ride unmolested on Christmas Day where you would normally be made most unwelcome (the esplanade, the square at the Galleries, the roads...)

Posted 13 years ago #
kaputnik
Moderator

@PS that was my plan for last year but I came down with a terrible lurgy and was laid up on the sofa half comatosed for the entire festive period, eating nothing but jaffa cakes. This year!

Posted 13 years ago #

RSS feed for this topic

12 Next »

Reply »

You must log in to post.

// CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum

About This Forum

CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » General Edinburgh

Castle bans cyclists

Reply »

RSS Feeds

Links