Late Summer on the Pentlands

The Pentland Chain From Allermuir Hill

It’s late summer in the hills and mountains of Scotland. The swallows are still with us but the ospreys are all but gone, back to the heat of west Africa for the winter and we await the arrival of the redwings and fieldfares from Scandinavia to herald the onset of autumn. Time to get some more hill-time before the autumn clients arrive so I spent the day on the Pentlands making the most of the dying embers of what in other parts of the world is known as summer!

Approaching Caerketton Hill

The walks – and the hills – are all familiar to me now of course and I’m free to make up any number of route combinations as I go along. I’ve also experienced these model mountains in all weathers and seasons, all of which have something to offer in their own way. Right now, however, it is the colours that take the eye: the heather is in full bloom, the grasses still have some green-ness in them and there are still some flowers to enjoy. Add to this some warm sunshine and you have all the ingredients for a great day out above festival-gripped Edinburgh!

Turnhouse Hill and Glencorse Reservoir

I spent the day on the eastern hills, taking in Allermuir and Caerketton Hills, Castlelaw, the Flotterstone Glen and Glencorse Reservoir. The distances aren't great and the height climbed very modest; but the rucksack is still full of memories!

Black Hill Above Glencorse Reservoir

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