The Pentland Hills

Looking South-East From Allermuir Hill

Having waited 30-odd years to set foot in these rounded dumplings of grass and heather which carry the Southern Uplands all the way to Edinburgh’s doorstep, I’ve now spent quite a few days wandering over them. Whilst they lend themselves to a variety of half-day circular walks from any direction, it is worth considering at least once, tackling all 13 of the north-eastern most hills in a single day. This ring of shapely hills form an elongated horseshoe encircling Glencorse Reservoir.

Carnethy Hill

My preferred start point is the car park at Bonaly on the southern outskirts of Edinburgh where a track leads up past an old reservoir and out on to the open hill. The route can be followed either clockwise or anti-clockwise and can be curtailed at almost any point by descdending to Glencorse Reservoir and retracing the path/track back to Bonaly.

Logan Burn

From Bonaly, I recommend going anti-clockwise thus taking the furthest – and highest - hills early and hopefully ending up with good views of Edinburgh in the evening sunlight! This route takes in the minor humps of Harbour Hill (421m) and Bell’s Hill (406m) before climbing over the dark heather hump of Black Hill (501m). A sharp descent to the Logan Burn leads to a good lunch spot before the climb up to the bealach between East and West Kip. The latter appears as a sharp cone from many aspects and serves as a useful navigation marker for the early part of the route.

The Distinctive Cone of West Kip

From West Kip (551m) which marks the furthest point from Bonaly, an excellent path follows the ridge north-eastwards over East Kip (534m), South Black Hill (563m), Scald Law (579m), Carnethy Hill (573m) and Turnhouse Hill (505m) before descending into the softer and greener landscape of Glencorse. You then pick your way around various path junctions before climbing out of the glen past the Army rifle range and on up to Castlelaw Hill (488m), keeping to the right side of the boundary fence if the red flags are flying (and even if they’re not, I would suggest)!

Turnhouse Hill From Castlelaw

From Castlelaw, a track leads down and over a conspicuous cattle grid before climbing sharply up to Allermuir Hill (493m) which suddenly brings Edinburgh and the Firth of Forth into view. From here, a diversion is made eastwards above the Hillend artificial ski slope to Caerketton Hill (c490m) the very last bump before Edinburgh. You then retrace your steps back over Allermuir and cross Capelaw Hill (454m) before descending back down to Bonaly.

Tackling all of these hills in a single day is straightforward for fit hillwalkers with 8 hrs to spare. Whilst some will want to spend longer savouring parts of the walk and will choose to split it up into separate days, the complete round is a very satisfying achievement. It should be contemplated at least once by those who tramp these picturesque hills frequently. For non-locals, who may only get one chance to sample the Pentlands, this day will give the complete package and an instant understanding of what they have to offer!

Check out my future plans for similar walks on: http://www.hillways.co.uk/summer/summer.htm