Rise up to enjoy the full range of scenery from the Pentlands

Published on Saturday 11 October 2008 11:21

RISING serenely above the capital of the Scottish nation and rolling out along the skyline towards the Southern Uplands are the unrivalled panoramic vistas of the Pentland Hills.

The Pentlands, so geographically close to the heart of Scotland, have never been far from the minds and vision of the Scots.

The hills have shaped the success of the Lothians while playing out a key role in the drama of Scottish history.

The physical landscape of the Pentland Hills consists of two spines of hills running south-west from Edinburgh.

Rising to 579 metres (1899 feet) at Scald Law, the majority of the land surface lies between 183m and 381m (600ft and 1250ft). The range is criss-crossed by many burns and glens, providing a great variety of scenery in a relatively small corner of Scotland.

Although the regional park is approximately 9000 hectares, it covers barely half the full range of the hills which peter out towards Garvald where they meet the foothills of the Southern Uplands.

The agricultural influence on the Pentlands has been considerable and has taken over from the ancient woodland that once covered most of these lower reaches of the hills. Some small pockets of woodland have been created and the park is actively improving the juniper populations that remain.

It pays to tread carefully in the Pentlands for, although elusive, wildlife can never be too far away.

Walk

This is a superb walk right in the middle of Midlothian.

Park in the lay-by on the A702 and go through the gate along the Kirk Road. Follow the track through the heather-clad hills to the col between Scald Law and Carnethy. Turn right and proceed to the summit.

At the peak and the large ancient cairn, take in the splendid sight of Loganlea and Glencorse reservoirs with the Forth bridges and the Ochils as a backdrop. Glencorse Reservoir holds the submerged ruin of the church dedicated to St Catherine by Sir William St Clair, who was one of the Scottish knights who set off to carry the heart of Robert Bruce to the Holy Land.

Turn and take in the breathtaking scenery looking towards Penicuik and the Moorfoots in the south and the Highlands to the north looking over the Firth of Forth. Follow the reverse route back to your starting point.

The starting and finishing point, the lay-by on the A702, is 1km north of Silverburn, and is served by regular buses to and from Edinburgh city centre.

Distance: 5.8km

Approximate time: 2 hours 30 minutes

Explorer 344: Pentland Hills

For further information on walking the Pentland Hills, go to www.visitscotland.com/walking