Former gasworks site becomes home to six deer

For one family of deer, however, the site of one of the Capital's most striking industrial relics is providing the perfect home.

The six deer have settled in the shadow of the last standing disused tower on the former Granton gasworks, despite their urban surroundings.

The wild animals have become firm favourites with security guards working on the site who have spotted them grazing and caught them on CCTV.

However, they are proving elusive to most would-be spotters, with sightings remaining rare despite word spreading through the local community.

Lawrence Dinse, 45, who lives nearby in Granton and often walks past the site, said: "I heard there were deer there and I thought it was an April fool. I never saw them at all until last week when one appeared in the distance."

The deer – thought to be roes – are believed to have arrived from an estate in South Queensferry.

Staff who work on the site – which is fenced off for future development – believe there is one stag, two doe and four young deer living within the two square mile area, surviving off the lush vegetation, but their reddish-brown colouring makes for perfect camouflage.

It is thought the family has taken refuge from the elements in recent months in a dip in the land that is sheltered from the wind by trees and bushes, yet workers have seen them come up to the perimeter fence on warmer days.

The animals are solitary creatures who do not welcome human contact and animal experts have warned any passers-by not to approach them.

Tom Gatherer, SSPCA deputy chief superintendent, said: "It is not uncommon for wild deer to choose to live on sites within urban areas if they have a plentiful supply of food and are left in peace. Generally, if they are left alone, then they will thrive.

"While the deer may show signs of being inquisitive when people walk nearby, we would urge the public not to approach them as they can be easily scared."

National Grid, which owns the patch of land at Granton, has landscaped much of the area for public use, opening up a new park area behind the Morrisons supermarket, including a water feature which has attracted swans.

A spokesperson for National Grid Property said: "For the past year or so we have been aware that a group of deer regularly visit the as yet undeveloped areas of the Forthquarter site.

"Apart from monitoring them via the CCTV system, to ensure they are safe and well, our security team and onsite staff try not to disturb them."