CURRENT MISSION

To defend Bilston Glen SSSI from the proposed A701 'improvement' bypass

ABOUT ME

PLEASE READ THIS PROFILE CAREFULLY BEFORE COMING TO SITE SO YOU KNOW WHAT WE ARE AND WHAT WE HAVE TO OFFER.

Established in June 2002, Bilston Glen Protest Site was originally established to prevent the destruction of Bilston Glen (between Bilston and Loanhead in Midlothian) by a bypass extension to the A701. The onset of the financial crisis in 2008 led to an indefinite postponement of this project, though the planning permission remains valid through 2015. In the meantime, the site has undergone many changes and though preventing the bypass remains the primary purpose, over time the site has evolved into an experiment in simple and alternative living. In the absence of an active bypass project to oppose, the site cannot be described as an active protest site although many of the people living there are activists and involved in other issues such as many of those listed below under "interests".

Today the site is an eclectic collection of crusties, hippies, punks, outdoor types and various others that have all decided to make Bilston Glen Protest Site their home as well as a constant stream of visitors. People frequently come and go, so the number of residents on site may differ radically from day to day. While English tends to the lingua franca of the site, there is usually a decent contigent of Spanish speakers as well as various East Europeans (esp. Czechs and Poles). The site operates on anarchist principles, so there is no leader or the like, though we do have site meetings when necessary and resolve issues communally.

More or less everyone is welcome to come for a visit or to stay with us for a while. After visiting you will get a sense of how the place works and whether or not it is right for you. If nothing else, it is very different than many other Couch Surfing experiences and will give you some interesting stories to tell.

If you decide to come with the intention of staying the night, there are some basic things you should bring with you such as a torch (flashlight) and a sleeping bag. Staying with us is much more like camping than your average CS experience, so you should take that into account before coming down. The site does not have electricity or running water (though we have nearby sources for both).

PHILOSOPHY

These words by Percy Bysshe Shelley gives an idea of what anarchism stands for in practice and what ideals drive it:

"The man
Of virtuous soul commands not, nor obeys:
Power, like a desolating pestilence,
Pollutes whate'er it touches, and obedience,
Bane of all genius, virtue, freedom, truth,
Makes slaves of men, and, of the human frame,
A mechanised automaton."

An Anarchist FAQ, 'A.2 What does anarchism stand for?'
http://anarchism.pageabode.com/afaq/secA2.html#seca21

Por qué estoy en Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Bilston Glen Protest Site has been on Couch Surfing for several years and we've hosted hundreds of surfers during that time. However, this page is relatively new, so if you come down, please consider leaving a reference.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

In general the site's Couch Surfing experience has been positive, in that it brings a lot of new and interesting people to site with new skills to share and stories to tell. Likewise, most of our surfers have enjoyed the experience.

Intereses

Simple Living (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simple_living)

Eco-Activism (https://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/)

No Borders (http://noborders.org.uk/)

Permaculture (http://www.permaculture.co.uk/)

Skipping (http://www.emoware.org/dumpster-diving/dumpster-diving-guide.asp)

Anti-consumerism (http://www.enough.org.uk/)

Forest Defense: http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/campaigns/forests/

Antifa (http://www.antifa.net/)

Anarchism (http://anarchism.pageabode.com/afaq/index.html)

Open Information (http://www.openinformationfoundation.org/)

and so on. You get the idea...

• running
• outdoor activities
• cycling
• camping
• surfing
• scuba diving
• tourism

Algo increíble que he hecho

General Directions to Site:

> By bus: You can take the 37, 47 or X37 (Lothian Buses) or the 62 (First Bus) from Edinburgh (North Bridge/Nicholson St/Clerk St) towards Penicuik, get off at the 1st bus stop in Bilston opposite a VW garage, the metal gate is right next to the bus stop. Go through the wee metal gate & down the path till you come to the bridge & you'll see us!

> By bike: from city centre, go down North Bridge / Nicholson street towards Cameron Toll. Turn right at Cameron Toll and take the A701 towards Pennicuik & you´ll get to Bilston. At the first Bilston bus stop there is a metal gate on your left, opposite the VW garage. Just follow the path and you will end up on site.