GEOTECHNICAL engineers have been spotted conducting an assessment of the famous Salisbury Crags amid concerns over a potential rockfall.
The engineers were seen yesterday in high-vis clothing climbing around on the rock faces with ropes as they went about their work.
Roads and paths around the cliff faces are currently closed due to the concerns with Historic Environment Scotland asking locals to stay away until the assessment is complete.
Historic Environment Scotland said: “Rock inspections at Samson’s Ribs in Holyrood Park have revealed a risk of rock fall.
“Consequently, as a precaution, Duddingston Low Road and footpath is closed to all users, including pedestrians and cyclists.
“Specialist geo-engineers will conduct further analysis, with updates to follow.”
The assessment will also look at the viability of reopening the “radical road” pathway in Holyrood Park which has been closed for some time.
Radical Road, a historic pathway through Holyrood Park, has been closed since 2022 with warnings that it could remain closed permanently.
The geoengineers will be reassessing the safety of the Crags and the surrounding area with the view of opening paths where appropriate.
Another pathway, the High Road, will be closed from 09:30am until 11:30am today.
A post to social media showing the geoengineers at work was titled: “Does anyone know what work’s being done on the crags at the moment?”
A clued-in local responded: “Historic Environment Scotland have been working on it for a while now.
“The plan was to have some geotechnical engineers re-assessing the safety of the Crags so the Radical Road can finally be reopened.”
Another said: “Knocking any loose bits off in a controlled way rather than letting them come off and go through a passerby.”