Following a site inspection on Friday 30 January 2026, with the Parks Officer and a turfing expert, we’ve determined that the turf laid in May 2025, as well as the area around it that was reseeded, has now deteriorated to the point where it cannot be saved.
The turf was in good condition until 1 October when protective barriers were removed. Unfortunately it deteriorated rapidly from around the end of October to the end of the year, due to high footfall, including notably that from the Samhuinn event on 31 October.
For some months, the Trust have been discussing options with the council for quickly deployable temporary fencing or roping-off for use when the ground comes under stress. One particular system with recycled plastic posts was proposed in early December, but regrettably we haven’t been able to come up with an agreed solution. Council officers are concerned that anything fixed in the ground with a metal spike could potentially be used as a weapon.
The other area of 300 square metres of RTF returfing laid in November 2025 on the south section in front of the National Monument remains in good condition, protected by ‘crowd control’ fencing.
See our report with photographs of the May 2025 re-turfing and its subsequent deterioration.