mica walkers’ guide
60 walks
The Pentland Hills Rab Anderson
The definitive guide to high and low level walks in The Pentland Hills
The Pentland Hills 31 Windy Gowl 32 North Esk Round
Introduction The Pentland Hills Using this Guidebook
Colinton to Hillend 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
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map 39
Boghall to Castlelaw Around the Boghall Burn Castlelaw Hill Capelaw Hill & Harbour Hill Glencorse Reservoir Glencorse & Loganlea Turnhouse Hill Black Hill Turnhouse Hill to Scald Law The Pentland Round
Grain Burn to Carlops 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
map 13
Water of Leith 14 Torduff & Clubbiedean Reservoirs 16 Harbour Hill via Kinleith 18 Capelaw Hill from Bonaly 20 White Hill via the Braid Burn 22 Castlelaw via Howden Glen 24 Allermuir Hill from Dreghorn 26 The Northern Skyline 30 Swanston to Hillend 32 Caerketton & Allermuir 34 Caerketton from Hillend 36
Flotterstone & Boghall 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
4 10
40 42 44 46 48 50 54 56 58 60
map 63
Scald Law & Carnethy The Kirk Road to Green Cleugh The Scald Law Group Cap Law & Braid Law West Kip via The Font Stone Green Law & Spittal Hill The Bore Stane & Kitchen Moss North Esk Reservoir The Mount & Patie’s Hill
64 66 68 70 72 74 76 78 82
84 86
West Linton & Baddinsgill map 89 33 Lyne Water 34 Around Mendick Hill
90 92
Penicuik
Dunsyre 44 45 46 47 48 49 50
Tarbrax to Balerno
35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43
Mendick Hill North Muir Hill & The Cairns Medwin Water & Catstone West Water Round Baddinsgill Reservoir Mount Maw & The Mount Byrehope Mount & Wolf Craigs West Cairn Hill The Baddinsgill Round
94 96 100 102 104 106 108 110 112
51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60
map 115
Black Mount & White Hill The Covenanter's Grave Dunsyre Hill The Darlees Rig Circuit Dunsyre to Little Sparta Little Sparta Around Horse Law
116 118 120 122 126 128 130
map 133
White Craig & Darlees Rig Craigengar & Mealowther The Cairns from Little Vantage East Cairn Hill from Buteland Hare Hill Scald Law & The Kips Harlaw, Threipmuir & Bavelaw The Four Reservoirs Three Hills from Harlaw Malleny & The Water of Leith
134 136 138 140 142 144 148 150 152 154
Pentland Hills, Tops & Rises 156
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The Pentland Hills
Castlelaw Hill from the Logan Valley
D
ue to their visual prominence and their dominant location, the Pentland Hills assume an important primary landscape feature in the Midland Valley of Scotland. One of the most significant aspects of these hills is their proximity to the City of Edinburgh and to the major centres of population in the Central Belt. Not only do the hills provide a dramatic backdrop to the south of Edinburgh but they also provide an opportunity to experience undeveloped countryside, just a short distance from the city. Almost wherever you are in Edinburgh there is a view of the Pentlands, a constant and welcome reminder that the outdoors exist a short distance away. The area covered by this guidebook is that conveniently enclosed within the rough rectangle created by the A720 Edinburgh City Bypass, the A702 Biggar Road to the east, the A721 across the southern extremity of the range and the A70 Lanark Road to the west. It is an area of some 280sq km (108sq miles)
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and a distance of some 80km (50 miles) to drive all the way around the range via these roads. Although ancient rights of way and old drove roads cross the area between these roads, thankfully the hills themselves have not been penetrated by through roads. There are 60 walks in this guidebook and these are described starting with those closest to Edinburgh, then working south in a clockwise direction around this rectangle of roads to finish northwards at Balerno. The fact that this book is able to cover this number of walks in such a relatively small area is testament to the recreational quality of the land and to the diversity of the terrain. Although the majority of walks follow established routes, some of them break off from, or do not follow regular paths, and some cross fences and farmland. It is worthwhile familiarising oneself with The Land Reform (Scotland) Act, see p10 for further information. Some walks cross grouse moor, particularly in the south of the
range, and walkers should be prepared to adjust their plans accordingly should a shooting party be encountered. As well as a good number of longer day walks there are many shorter walks which are ideally suited for summer evenings, or for breaks in the weather, or quite simply for a breath of fresh air and some quick exercise. The hills are not particularly high, but they are as exposed to the elements as the larger hills of the Highlands and Southern Uplands which, along with their location in the middle of the Midland Valley and the panoramic views they provide to the sea and the surrounding mountains, makes them feel much bigger. For a relatively small area there are a lot of hills and a list at the back of this guidebook identifies 157 high points out of which there are 41 distinct hills which have a significant all around height separation of at least 30m from their neighbours. An Ancient Landscape Scotland’s geology, and therefore that of the Pentlands, is a fascinating and a somewhat complex subject. Around 500 million years ago Scotland lay south of the equator with its northern bits forming part of the continent of Laurentia, comprising North America.
England lay on the other side of the Lapetus Ocean as part of the island of Avalonia off the continent of Baltica, which included Europe. Plate tectonics pushed these land masses together and some 420 million years ago during the Silurian period, England joined with Scotland. A line of island volcanoes lay between the continents and these ultimately formed the base of what is now the Midland Valley. This protracted coming together resulted in immense upheaval of the land masses. Known as the Caledonian Orogeny, or mountain building period, this created the mountains to the north and the Highland Boundary Fault which separates the Highlands from the Lowlands. The line of this fault is well seen from the south-western part of the Pentland Hills, lying beyond the later fault of the Ochil Hills. This continental collision also produced the Southern Uplands Fault which pushed rocks up from the bed of the Lapetus Ocean to form the hills of the Southern Uplands, along the distinctive scarp line of the Moorfoots and the Lammermuirs; a feature seen to great advantage when viewed across the Lothian plain from the Pentlands. The area between these two great faults subsequently slipped massively to form
Published by Mica Publishing, Glasgow & Edinburgh. Text and photographs © Rab Anderson 2011 ISBN 978-0-9560367-2-8 Title page: Black Hill from Castle Knowe Maps & design Mica Publishing www.micapublishing.com Printed and bound in India by Replika Press Pvt Ltd Mica walkers’ guides are distributed by Cordee Ltd info@cordee.co.uk www.cordee.co.uk The author and publisher have made every effort to ensure that the information in this book is accurate, and accept no responsibility whatsoever for any loss, injury or inconvenience experienced by any persons whilst using this book. Sturdy footwear and waterproofs are recommended for all walks, plus a map and compass for all upland and moorland walks.
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The Pentland Hills
Beds of Old Red Sandstone, exposed on East Cairn Hill a major rift valley, the Midland Valley, in which the Pentland Hills now sit. The Devonian Period followed and some 410 million years ago, large scale weathering and erosion led to sediments being laid down, which in turn formed conglomerate and sandstone rocks. This Old Red Sandstone is much in evidence in the south-western part of the range and perhaps best seen on Craigengar, West Cairn Hill, East Cairn Hill and at Wolf Craigs. This period also saw considerable volcanic activity when ash together with basaltic and andesitic lavas were combined with these sediments and with the rocks from the older Ordovician and Silurian sandstones to form the core of the Pentland Hills. This contrast between the rock types of the Pentlands is well illustrated by the fact that closer to Edinburgh, erosion of the harder volcanic rocks has resulted in more defined peaks, whilst further south-west in the range, erosion of the softer Old Red Sandstones and conglomerates has left hills with a flatter and more rounded appearance. The exception to this and
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one of the notable volcanic features of the Pentlands, is Black Hill whose regular oval, or upturned bathtub-like, shape is at odds with the surrounding hills. This is in fact a laccolith, a magma chamber that has been forced, blisterlike, between the layers of sedimentary rocks either beneath or in the vicinity of a volcano, to produce a domeshaped intrusion whose upper layers have been eroded to leave a hard felsite dome. Other notable laccoliths nearby are Traprain Law and Tinto Hill, which are both visible from the Pentlands. Edinburgh is a city built on the debris of its turbulent volcanic past and the seven hills it sits amidst, including its Castle Rock and the former volcano of Arthur's Seat, are the remnants of this activity. All are seen to great advantage from the northernmost slopes of the Pentland Hills. Some 360 to 280 million years ago during the Carboniferous period further fracturing and upheaval of the still advancing land mass followed when the rocks of the Lothian Plain were pushed north-westwards into the older sandstone rocks along the line of
what is now the A702 to produce the Pentland Fault. This formed an anticline where the uplifted land created the Pentland Hills whose steeper east facing scarp slope is evident and contrasts with gentler slopes to the west. At three locations in the Pentlands the Old Red Sandstone has been eroded to reveal the older Silurian sedimentary rocks from beneath the Lapetus Ocean. This occurs around North Esk Reservoir, at Loganlea and The Howe, and at Bavelaw Castle. These areas are known for the richness and the diversity of the Silurian fossils found there and are the oldest rocks in the vicinity of Edinburgh. Over hundreds of millions of years, Scotland was pushed away from North America into a cooler climate, until around two million years ago during the most recent geological time period, the Quaternary Era, the landscape was sculpted into what we see today by glacial activity. This was a time when either all of the country or parts of it, were buried at least five times under ice sheets, the most recent being 15,000 years ago. There is much evidence in the Pentlands of glacial activity, especially along the line of the Pentland Fault scarp and particularly at Carlops and Dunsyre where water and glacial deposition flowed away to leave meltwater channels, kaims, kettle holes and eskers together with sand and gravel deposits. Human Influences The land cover of the hills has been changed by the agricultural influences of man over the centuries but there is still a distinct separation between the grassier slopes on the east and the heathery hillsides to the west, albeit that this cover is now being managed for shooting purposes. The cultivation terraces on Dunsyre Hill and the rig and furrow cultivation visible in the
northern part of the range are evidence of mans’ attempt to harness this landscape, but the hills are now mainly used for sheep farming. The hills are sparsely populated and other than farms in the valleys and on the lower slopes human habitation is in settlements along the roads which fringe the hills, mainly on the less exposed eastern side. A number of important markets sprang up in this part of the Pentlands and were linked by drovers routes and traditional rights of way through the hills, most of which are utilised by walks in this guidebook. In addition to agriculture, the other principal land uses of the area are for water catchment, military training which is now much reduced and recreation which has now much increased. There are traces of earlier human activity and towards the south western end of the Pentlands around the Westruther Burn there is evidence of Mesolithic and Neolithic activity from 8500BC to 2200BC. Throughout the range there are cairns which date back to the Bonze Age period from 2200BC to 700BC and of hillforts dating back to the Iron Age from 700 to 43AD. The Romans played a huge part in the development of Britain and in 80AD Agricola and his legions pushed into Scotland supported by a fleet off the east coast. One of the major Roman roads ran beneath the Pentlands, along the line of what is now the A702. Conflicts elsewhere forced Agricola to abandon this campaign and in 122AD the Romans built Hadrian’s Wall to keep the unruly Scots at bay. Later though, the Antonine campaigns saw the Romans push through this part of Scotland to establish a border across the Central Belt, along the line of the Antonine Wall. However, they could not keep these northern territories and subsequently retreated back behind Hadrian’s Wall. Following a further
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Using this Guidebook Route Maps & Mapping Walk route maps are drawn from out of copyright Ordnance Survey (OS) mapping and Bartholomew mapping, supplemented by in-the-field GPS tracks, and personal observation. These route maps are only sketch maps and walkers are advised to purchase the up-to-date OS Landranger (1:50,000) or Explorer (1:25,000) scale maps for the walks. The relevant OS Landranger maps for the area are 65, 66 & 72. Explorer 344 covers the area except Black Mount, which is covered by 336. Scottish-based Harvey maps produce a 1:25,000 Superwalker Pentland Hills map which covers the area, except for Black Mount.
tracks & grassy hill tracks; ‘pathless’ hillsides may be crisscrossed by sheep tracks.
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Access The Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 grants everyone the right to be on most land and inland water for recreation, providing they act responsibly. These rights and responsibilities are explained in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code <www. outdooraccess-scotland.com>. take responsibility for your own actions and act safely; respect people’s privacy and peace of mind; help land managers and others to work safely and effectively; care for your environment and leave as you find it; don’t disturb wildlife and use paths or tracks if there; keep your dog under proper control; take extra care if you’re organising an event or running a business.
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Grades & Times The following grades have been used. Easy Low Level: generally short and on good surfaces. Moderate Low Level: generally on good surfaces and may involve some gradual ascent on paths. Strenuous Low Level: longer and may involve some gradual ascent on paths. Easy Hillwalk: generally single hills on good paths. Moderate Hillwalk: multiple hills. Strenuous Hillwalk: multiple hills, longer distances and/or pathless terrain. Time is subjective and influenced by factors including fitness, terrain, vertical
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any routes on roads are on quiet minor roads; tracks are generally hard surfaced estate, farm & forest tracks; paths can be footpaths, clear sheep
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10
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Pentland Hills (41) high points Pentland Tops (40) high points
For a Table of Heights of 157 high points in The Pentlands, including 6 Marilyns and 10 trig points, see p156.
Pentland Rises (76) high points ascent, steepness, weather and snow. Times are for round trips and no set method of timing has been used. Timings are on the generous side and include rest, lunch and photographic stops. As such they are merely indicators of how long a walk might take. Timings are generally tighter for longer walks, where a more determined approach needs to be taken to complete the route within a reasonable time span.
Equipment & Weather
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Footwear: Sturdy footwear with a good tread is advisable for all walks. Clothing: Scotland’s weather in both summer and winter can vary significantly from place to place and from hour to hour. Many approaches start from the lee side of the hills with the prevailing wind only being felt as higher ground is gained. Warm, windproof and waterproof clothing should be carried, especially on moorland and on hillwalks. Adequate food and water should also be taken. Equipment: Ice axe and crampons are generally unnecessary in winter for any of the routes in this book. However, the vagaries of the Scottish weather may produce the very rare occasion where they might be useful. Snow cover on the hills however may present the opportunity to use such equipment as a useful familiarisation process. Navigation: A map and compass and the ability to use them are essential for all walks on moorland and on hills, where an unexpected reduction in visibility may result in disorientation. Modern OS map enabled GPS units are useful, but should not be relied on as the main source of
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navigation. Mobile phone signal coverage is generally good, but there may be places where there is no reception. Weather: This area is as popular in winter as it is in summer. Although most of these walks are close to civilisation, the Pentlands are very exposed to bad weather. High winds, severe blizzards and white-out conditions, as harsh as any experienced in the Highlands, do occur. Experiencing the seasons and the full force of the elements in the Pentlands is one of the joys of having these hills ‘on the doorstep’, but be prepared and especially keep an eye out for those who may be younger, or less experienced. Weather forecasting is not easy, but the following websites are useful. <www.mwis.org.uk> (Mountain Weather Information Service) <www.metcheck.com> <www.metoffice.gov.uk> <www.bbc.co.uk/weather> BBC forecasts can be accessed via terrestrial and satellite services.
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Midges & Ticks Midges are not much of a problem in the Pentlands, but it is always worth checking for ticks after a day in the hills. For more information visit <www.lymediseaseaction.org.uk>
Travel General: Traveline Scotland (08712 002233) <www.travelinescotland.com> Bus: Lothian (0131 555 6363) <www.lothianbuses.com> McEwans (01387 256533) <www.dgcommunity.net/transport>
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Colinton to Hillend
18th Century thatched cottages in Swanston Village
T
he northern flanks of the Pentland Hills form a splendid and familiar backdrop to the City of Edinburgh. This is the most accessible part of the range and the start points of all the walks can be reached via the local bus service. At the foot of the hills, dedicated walkersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; car parks at Bonaly, Dreghorn, Swanston and Hillend can be accessed from the city, or via the Dreghorn and Lothianburn exits on the A720 City Bypass. Bonaly, the most westerly of these car parks, is used for an ascent of Capelaw Hill [4] and Harbour Hill via Kinleith [3], and also offers access to Bonaly, Torduff & Clubbiedean Reservoirs [2], whose outflows form the Braid Burn. Dreghorn offers access to Allermuir Hill [7], Castlelaw via Howden Glen
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[6] and a circuit of rounded Capelaw, curvaceous Allermuir and craggy Caerketton, the three hills forming The Northern Skyline [8] overlooking Edinburgh. The historic village of Swanston is the access point for a fine route combining Caerketton & Allermuir [10] and the lower level Swanston to Hillend [9], while Hillend offers an unusual approach to Caerketton [11] via the Boghall Glen. Two further walks start from within the Edinburgh city boundary; an ascent of White Hill via the Braid Burn [5] and a ramble along the Water of Leith [1]. This river once provided mill power for the villages of Balerno, Currie, Juniper Green and Colinton, but is now an important and much loved leisure amenity and a convenient link to the hills.
WALK STARTS
FACILITIES
Water of Leith Centre Parking: (NT 221708) Bus: Lothian 4, 20, 34, 44 & 44A
Edinburgh All facilities Water of Leith Water of Leith Centre (café & toilets), The Dell Inn Colinton Colinton Inn, Spylaw Tavern, restaurants, café, shops, toilets Dreghorn Dreghorn Services – Shell filling station (shop & toilets), Travelodge, Little Chef Swanston Swanston Golf Course Clubhouse (bar/café & restaurant) Hillend Midlothian Snowsports Centre (café & toilets) The Steading (bar & restaurant) Esso filling station (shop & toilets)
Colinton (for Water of Leith & Bonaly) Parking: (NT 213690) Bus: Lothian 10, 16, 18 & 45 Bonaly Parking: (NT 212675) Bus: Lothian 10 & 16 Dreghorn Parking: (NT 227680) Bus: Lothian 10, 16 & 27 Swanston Parking: (NT 241674) Bus: Lothian 4, 11, 15, 15A, 16, 18 & 27 Hillend Parking: (NT 250670) Bus: Lothian 4, 11, 15, 15A
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Caerketton & Allermuir A quick twosome
Allermuir Hill from Caerketton Hill
C
aerketton and Allermuir can be climbed by this quick and very pleasant scenic hillwalk, via the Swanston Burn and the top of the dry ski slope. From the walkersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; car park at Swanston (see Walk 9 for access) follow a footpath up through the woods and over a small bridge to rejoin the road at Swanston village. Walk uphill between the lovely thatched cottages, signposted to Boghall and Allermuir, then pass through a gate and walk up the left side of the Swanston Burn beside the golf course. Cross the burn by a small bridge, then follow the left-hand path through the gorse and on past some trees, towards the distinctive craggy face of Caerketton. Continue to a path intersection and head left on the Hillend and Boghall signposted path, which traverses the
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hillside beside the fence above the golf course and the T-Woods. There are fine views out over Edinburgh and Arthurâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Seat to the Forth. Where the path starts to descend to Hillend, take the path signed to Boghall which slants up to the top of the dry ski slope. Now ascend a path diagonally leftwards to reach a fence then swing round and
Caerketton Hill
START & FINISH: Swanston car TIME: 2hrs park (NT 241674) TERRAIN: Paths DISTANCE: 6km; 3.75 miles GRADE: Moderate Hillwalk climb more steeply to a cairn. Continue along the flat ridge and make the final short ascent to the reach the remnants of a Bronze Age cairn on top of Caerketton. This is a tremendous viewpoint, perhaps only bettered by that on the neighbouring and slightly higher Allermuir Hill. After crossing the actual high point 150m further west, descend past low lying juniper in a shallow dip, then swing round and drop more steeply to the main col at Windy Door Nick. Ascend the ridgeline path beside the fence, over what is known as Byreside Hill, really just a shoulder, to reach the summit of Allermuir; trig point and summit viewpoint indicator. It is worthwhile stepping over the fence to admire the view south over Castlelaw Hill and the rest of the Pentland range around the Logan Valley and beyond to East Cairn Hill.
Salisbury Crags and Arthurâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Seat from the T-Woods
Descend just out from the line of ascent, on a path which soon starts to veer away, and further down take the left-hand fork which descends towards Swanston around the knoll of Muilieputchie. This cuts across the path to Dreghorn, then drops down through the gorse to rejoin the upward route at the little bridge over the burn.
Flotterstone & Boghall
Flotterstone
T
he A702 traverses the length of the southern side of the Pentland Hills between Edinburgh and Biggar. It is the line of an old coaching route and before that a route which the Romans used to link Carlise, at the western end of Hadrian’s Wall, with ports on the Firth of Forth. Access to the hills from various points along the A702 is straightforward, with those at Boghall, Castlelaw and Flotterstone being the first encountered travelling south from Edinburgh. The Pentland Hills Regional Park headquarters is located at Boghall on the lower slopes of Caerketton Hill and from a walkers’ car park here there is a low level link through woodland from Boghall to Castlelaw [12], together with a circuit of the hills Around the Boghall Burn [13]. Continuing south,
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Woodhouslee Hill, Castle Knowe and Castlelaw Hill [14] can be seen from the road and a walkers’ car park next to the farm buildings at Castlelaw is reached via a minor road, just after some bends before the road descends to Flotterstone. Castlelaw Hill is on Defence Training Estate land and although there is a military firing range, there is no restriction on access to the surrounding land, as long as the clearly marked area in the hollow formed on the south side of the hill is avoided. Behind Castlelaw Hill lie Capelaw Hill & Harbour Hill [15] with the latter being prominent in the view from House o’ Muir on the A702, a few hundred metres beyond Flotterstone, where it is seen across fields, framed between Castlelaw Hill and Turnhouse Hill. Flotterstone sits at the entrance to the
Balerno
valley of the Glencorse and Logan Burns, which contains the lovely Glencorse Reservoir [16] and a walk into the heart of the Pentlands via Glencorse & Loganlea [17]. The Flotterstone Inn lies just off the main road and next to this is a large car park, which is also where the Pentland Hills Regional Park Ranger Centre is located. This is the main access point to the Pentland Hills and accordingly it can be very busy, especially at weekends. There is a distinct Highland feel to the Glencorse and Logan valley, yet the city is a mere ten minutes drive away.
Behind Flotterstone is Turnhouse Hill [18] on which the battle of Rullion Green took place in 1666 when the Covenanters suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of the Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s troops. Carnethy Hill, one of the two highest hills in the Pentlands is part of the fine ridge linking Turnhouse Hill to Scald Law [20]. Tucked away out of sight in the glen above Loganlea Reservoir is the large rounded mass of Black Hill [19]. Flotterstone is also the starting point for The Pentland Round [21], a splendid outing which takes in all of the hills in this part of the Pentlands.
WALK STARTS
FACILITIES
Boghall Parking (NT 245652) Bus: Lothian 4 to Hillend Castlelaw Parking (NT 230637) Bus: McEwans 100, 101, 102, 199 to Flotterstone Flotterstone Parking (NT 233631) Bus: McEwans 100, 101, 102, 199
Edinburgh All facilities Hillend The Steading (bar & restaurant) Esso Filling station (shop & toilets) Flotterstone Flotterstone Inn (bar & restaurant), Pentland Hills Ranger Station (info & toilets)
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Green Law & Spittal Hill Around the Monks Burn
Looking over Cap Law to the Scald Law group, from Green Law
G
reen Law and Spittal Hill effectively form the extension of the main Scald Law ridgeline where it turns south beyond West Kip to run above Nine Mile Burn and terminate at Patieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hill above Carlops. These are broad, rounded and grassy hills and they form a pleasant loop when combined with an approach up Monks Rig and over Cap Law. Starting from the parking area at Nine Mile Burn follow the signposted path around the edge of the fields crossing over an old wall higher up to gain the open hillside. The Monks Burn lies in the narrow valley below and the slopes of Green Law and Spittal Hill rise quite steeply above this, but the ascent to them is a gradual one up the long ridge of Monks Rig past the Font Stone. Just beyond the top of Cap Law, break off left on a grassy track leading away from the main route to West Kip
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and Balerno. Join another grassy track which comes in from the right and curve around the head of the Monks Burn, initially running parallel to a fence, then climb to the top of Green Law.
Monks Rig
START & FINISH: Parking area at Nine Mile Burn (NT 177577) DISTANCE: 8km; 5 miles
A short drop gains a broad col between the hills where the track goes through a gate to run along the right side of a fence onto the top of Spittal Hill. The top, which is only 1m higher
TIME: 2hrs 45mins TERRAIN: Tracks & paths GRADE: Moderate Hillwalk than Green Law, actually lies on the other side of the fence. Continue downhill over Greystone Head on the right side of the fence to reach the track which runs through the col between Spittal Hill and Patieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hill, on its way from Spittal Farm towards North Esk Reservoir in the valley to the west. It is worthwhile making a small diversion to the top of Patieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hill, which only takes about 30mins there and back. From the col cross the cattle grid and descend the track down to, then around the farm, which was once the site of an old hospital. At the end of the access road turn left and follow the road back to Nine Mile Burn, crossing over the Monks Burn.
Leaving Cap Law to swing round the head of the Monks Burn; East Cairn Hill beyond
60 Malleny & The Water of Leith National Trust for Scotlandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s historic gardens The Four Apostles in Malleny Garden
M
alleny Garden is set within woodland on the edge of Balerno. It is a beautiful and historic walled garden with an important horticultural collection. The garden contains four clipped yew trees known as the Four Apostles (or Disciples), which are over 400 years old and are listed as Heritage Trees of Scotland. At one point there was a full quota of twelve but a previous owner unfortunately cut the others down. Amongst many flowers and scented plants the garden contains what is probably the largest collection of roses in Scotland. There is said to be something in flower all the time and accordingly the gardens are open all year, from 10â&#x20AC;&#x201C;5, or dusk if earlier. There is a charge with access being free to National Trust for Scotland members. The adjacent Malleny House, originally constructed around 1589 and
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START & FINISH: Malleny car
TIME: 2hrs (walk) park & track at entrance (NT 167666) TERRAIN: Good tracks & paths DISTANCE: 5km; 3 miles (walk) GRADE: Easy Low Level rebuilt in 1635, is not open to the public, however it does provide a suitable backdrop to the lovely gardens. A large 17th Century Doocot stands to one side of the house where there is also a fine fountain. The visitor car park is accessed by a driveway just past Balerno High School, off Bavelaw Green. There is a pleasant walk to Currie from here which returns via the Water of Leith. Additional parking for this can be found around the entrance to the garden car park. Follow the track which heads eastwards between the fields for 2km to reach the road at Currie Kirk (1785), whose grounds are worth a
visit. To return, cut through by the nearby houses to join the Water of Leith Walkway and the line of the former Balerno railway line, which used to serve the mills here. On joining the road at Balerno, turn left and follow this past the school and walk up the driveway back to the car park.
Currie Kirk
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mica walkers’ guide
• A highly detailed and superbly illustrated guidebook to walking in Scotland’s most • • •
popular and most accessible range of hills 60 varied walks, ranging from short low level family strolls to easy hillwalks and lengthier, more challenging hill and moorland walks An ideal guidebook for the regular outdoor enthusiast and the occasional visitor Includes a unique Table of Heights, listing 157 high points in The Pentland Hills
The Author: Edinburgh born and bred, Rab Anderson has spent more than 40 years exploring The Pentland Hills. One of Scotland’s prominent mountaineers, he has a walking column in The Herald newspaper and as well as authoring a number of the Scottish Mountaineering Club’s Climbers’ Guides, is the current editor of their highly successful Hillwalkers’ Guide to The Munros