RESIDENTS have staged a protest at a gate they claim is being locked regularly to stop them using it to access a country park at the weekend.

More than 30 adults and children joined in the rally at the Old Craighall gate which leads into Dalkeith Country Park.

Organised by East Lothian Council’s Green councillor Shona McIntosh, a Musselburgh ward member, they called on Buccleuch Estate to step in and ensure access rights were upheld at the gate after years of complaints.

Ms McIntosh said: “Complaints about the locked gate at the Old Craighall entrance to the park have been going on for many, many years.

“To add insult to injury, while ignoring legal requests from East Lothian Council to restore access, someone has recently added mesh to both sides of the gate.

“The only possible purpose of this is to make it harder for walkers to exercise their right of responsible outdoor access.

“I came up with this protest in partnership with my running club, Hunters Bog Trotters, and to be honest was expecting quite a small event.

“However, when it was circulated on social media in advance of the day, I received lots of emails of support, and over 30 people attended. It really demonstrates how many people are fed up with this behaviour from the estate.”

Councillor Shona McIntosh (left) is joined by Amanda Grimm to call for the Old Craighall gate at Dalkeith Country Park to be kept open

The protestors came from Musselburgh, elsewhere in East Lothian and Edinburgh. North Berwick and East Linton were represented by two walkers who had taken the train to Musselburgh to attend.

Ms McIntosh said: “This entrance is by far the closest one of the park to a railway station – another reason it is important to enable access through it.”

Derek Williams, from Musselburgh’s Active Town Group, added: “The problem with the locked gate at Old Craighall has been an issue for many years. It is preventing access to a large area of local green space that families,walkers and cyclists should be able to use.

“It really is time for the council to give the estate a deadline to provide access.

“If the estate fails on this, then the council should start using its powers under Scottish Access Legislation to move the situation forward.

“This has been going on long enough and now needs to be resolved for the benefit of local residents.”

Protestors claim the gate at the Old Craighall entrance to Dalkeith Country Park should be kept open

Ms McIntosh added: “Dalkeith Country Park includes various business ventures, including a shop, ‘wellness studio’ and cafe at Restoration Yard, a Go Ape course, and an adventure playground.

“The locked gates at the north end of the grounds deter visitors from travelling to these local attractions by sustainable means, adding to congestion in the local area by locking in car use even among people who would rather walk, wheel or cycle to the destination.

“The country park’s own website advertises pedestrian and cyclist access from the Smeaton Gate (closest to Whitecraig) and yet this is also an access point which fails to comply with the law.

“Cyclists complain that gates here are sometimes locked with no warning and, even when they are open, a large log blocks the cycle access around an inner gate, meaning anyone in a wheelchair or a non-standard bike cannot get past.

“The Buccleuch Estates made a profit after tax of £6.1 million in 2022-23. They can afford to install pedestrian and wheelchair accessible gates at their Smeaton and Old Craighall entrance points, to ensure compliance with Scottish access law.

“If they are serious about being responsible custodians of the land, then they will take immediate steps to remove these barriers.

“Locked gates only serve to prevent local people of all ages and abilities being able to travel actively to reach the many attractions of Dalkeith Country Park.”

A spokesman for Buccleuch Group said: “We encourage access to Dalkeith Park and have made substantial investment in the park to improve the natural environment and also provide leisure facilities which are enjoyed by many thousands of people throughout the year.

“The gate at which this protest was held is also access to a working farm and the tenant does close the gate on the occasions where there could be a risk to or from livestock.

“In view of the concerns expressed over the weekend, we will look into this further to explore future access arrangements.”

A spokesperson for East Lothian Council said: “We can confirm that we are continuing to work through this matter with Buccleuch Estates and hope for a satisfactory and timely resolution.”