The Five Sisters of West Lothian are a modern-day landmark

According to outdoor groups, climbing in urban areas is on the increase with central Scotland's large number of bings proving increasingly popular.

Among the preferred sites is the "Five Sisters of West Lothian" - a row of stacked shale near West Calder.

Former MP Tam Dalyell is delighted that the landmarks are finally being used.

'Bing-bagging'

Mr Dalyell, an MP in West Lothian for more 30 years, said: "There is no other reminder of the shale workers and the shale industry than the bings of Midlothian and West Lothian.

"I've been one of the protagonists of keeping the Five Sisters as a monument and I thought it was very important that I should pursue this."

Climber David Hewitt, who edits the Angry Corrie magazine, said more and more people considered the giant bings as "mountains".

I'm sure their great-grandfathers - the shale miners - would be delighted that after all their sweat and toil, they were put to use Tam Dalyell Former MP

Speaking to BBC Scotland, he said: "A lot more people are beginning to climb bings these days, the trouble is they are not shown on the maps.

"A growing number of people are calling themselves bing-baggers, however, and I think it is the new craze.

"It is definitely going to catch on and the Five Sisters are as good as any other for climbing."

He added: "A lot of people who have bagged the Munros for example are now looking for a new challenge, and what better than the bings?

"When they reach the top they can always shout 'bingo'."

Mr Dalyell said the former miners responsible for the shale piles would be pleased they had become useful at last.

He said: "I think they should be put to a use and good on the people who use them.