Black Hill Pentlands Just one angry Coo

Black Hill

After my earlier adventures I was parked up at Harlaw car park and set off for the Black Hill (a Sub 2000 501m). It was a hill that I had climbed but quite a few years ago so a good time for a refresher. However, there was one slight problem. A sign indicated that the Black springs walk was closed today and as I had to go over this spot, would my walk be over before it properly starts a second time?

Track to Black Springs

I walked past the reservoirs and cut along the side of Threipmuir to the Black Springs. A digger was sitting idle, tape blocked the crossing and a big hole had been dug. However there were no workmen around so over I went and followed the rising track to the south end of Black hill. I spotted other people in the distance so not the only one to disregard the signs.

East Cairn the distant hill

It was pretty hot so time for water intake and hat on but when I left the track and gained height there was a cooling breeze which was welcomed.
From this end there is no obvious track so I just picked a spot and climbed up beside a fence. A path of sorts appeared so easier walking. When the climb levelled off there was a wooden gate so decision made and over I went. It is a featureless and rather bland hill.

Featureless top

This hill is a managed grouse moor so mainly heather terrain but considering the shooting season is due to start it was very surprising that I never sprung or heard one today.
To get to the top keep following very narrow trails which are either sheep trails or grouse tracks.

Scald Law & the Kips behind estate track

It is not too bad, keep focusing on the white poles which are grouse feeding areas and then bingo, near the top I find a keepers trail which leads all the way to the top. A couple of walkers over to my right the first I met on the hill
At the top the views are excellent particularly of the main Pentlands ridge, Scald Law, the Kips etc. Great views of the bridges and Fife as well as Edinburgh a superb spot to spend some time picking out all the landmarks.

The top

I continued on the track heading east and descending. Some boggy peat areas to negotiate but keep following the track. I met 3 old guys coming up the only other people I met on the hill. I think they were glad of the breather to stop and chat.

Glencorse below

More superb views across the east Pentlands hills as I descended. Then I came across the shooting butts ready for the slaughter, if there are any birds to shoot.

At the bottom I turn left and follow the path back to the Black Springs. This time there are workers but a bit of pleading and I am let over. Very glad as my alternative was back up the trail to Balerno which was a few unwanted miles.

Allermuir etc

Just before the reservoir I came across a field of bullocks. One beside the gate is in a snorting angry mood staring wide eyed at me but I had to laugh as it was desperately trying to undo the rope keeping the gate closed. I walked through the small paddock just as it succeeded in getting in. Could be fun and games if another walker meets it in this enclosed space.

Black Springs

I was wondering what aura I give off that these beasts seem inclined to do me harm, probably fear. More likely they know that I like a succulent rib-eye.
Still another enjoyable day in the countryside.
Distance 6.21 miles (9.99km)
Ascent 982 ft (299m)
Time 2 hours 21min.

East Cairn Hill and angry coos

I had a couple of days in Edinburgh but only 1 dry day forecast so decided on a pair of new hills for me, East & West Cairn, outliers of the Pentland hills. East cairn is the sub 2000 Marilyn but the West cairn is only a few metres lower so a good double.

The guide normally suggests coming in from West Linton side but to save a drive in rush hour Edinburgh traffic and I was only 15 minutes away from a drovers trail at the other side so opted for that. The trail is known as the Cauldstane Slap, a very dangerous place in the past as the bandits would attack and murder the cattle drovers.

Amazingly I found the hidden car park without difficulty. It was already hot and the insects were out in force.

East & West Cairn

There is a fairly obvious track to follow but I imagine that this will be very dirty and muddy conditions after a wet spell. There are some walkboards in places but even so I was using my poles as anchors and swinging over many mud patches.

Both hills were clearly in sight but I could see large amounts of cattle ahead, could I bypass them?

After about a mile and a half I had a decision to make, this was a large herd with small calves well spread over. The formal track would go right through them and with calves I was very unsure, no way past without very long detours across wild moorland.

Suddenly I heard cattle on the move close by with much angry bellowing. I was below a small hill so backtracked. Then at the bridge I spotted a group of a dozen or so agitated cows running past the spot I was recently standing at still bellowing loudly and literally disappeared into long grass. No way for me walk ended.

I met a shepherd on my way back and asked him about the cattle. He said the big fields calves were three weeks old and should have bonded with their mothers but still a slight risk. The rampaging lot were a different story. The farmer was moving stock but had separated mothers and calves. This lot were the agitated mothers looking for their calves who had not yet been moved to this field. His advice was well advised to stay out as this lot were very unpredictable.

A few bites to the legs from the insect hordes, a apt ending. I will be back later in the year but probably from the other side.

So back to the car, I was close to the Balerno walks so opted for Black Hill, would that be straightforward?

Allermuir & Caerketton Pentland Hills

Allermuir Hill from Caerketton

My principal objective today was Allermuir Hill (493m) which also included 3 other tops, a fine up and down walk. I set out from the Harlaw carpark which meant firstly traversing Harbour Hill, Capelaw Hill, then Allermuir and onwards to Caerketton. I returned by the same route. There is a fair old descent and ascent between each hill so a bit of a blowout for heart and lungs.

Arthurs Seat from Caerketton

The BBC weather app showed blue skies and sunshine. As it turned out the outward leg had an autumn squall, very high winds and very cold heavy rain. Luckily it was a SSE wind so it was at my back throughout. 

Capelaw Hill not sure what this represents

There were surprisingly a few other walkers around presumably also looking to take advantage of the good weather!!

From Harlaw across the fields to Harbour Hill

By the time I turned the rain had gone off but the strong wind remained. 
As always great views all around particularly over Edinburgh & the Lothians plus across to Fife, . Never a bad walk to do so get out and enjoy it. 

Allermuir trig looking over the southerly range Scald Law etc

The walk was 8.67 miles but felt longer as there was almost 1700 feet of ascent and took me 3 and a half hours. There is a shorter walk starting from the ski centre.

New Forth Bridges in the distance

West Lothian

Scald Law East & West Kip

A pleasant day for another walk in the Pentlands and I'm excited to include a couple of hills, East and West Kip, that are new to me. I have been up Scald Law before but I include it again today to make it a better ridge walk and give me a better workout.
The guides normally bring you up from the Penicuik side but I will be coming from Currie and returning via Balerno to make my circular walk.

Green Cleugh

I take my normal route via Harlaw reservoir heading towards Black Springs and then following the track around Black Hill. Views are excellent including the flat top of West Kip, peeking through the gap. The descent takes you back down into an old drover's pass, Green Cleugh, which is stunning today. I catch a buzzard flying the ridge to my right but more interesting is the very fast raptor flying low just below the ridgeline to my left, trying to flush birds from the heather and scrub. Big, fast with quite pointed wings this looks like a possible Harrier to me but not certain. It swiftly goes back and forth repeating its glide four times before swiftly heading for some trees on Scald Law.

Summit Scald Law, Carnethy behind

A short steep climb up to the ridge which splits Scald Law and Carnethy Hill. I have not climbed a hill since Goatfell as the weather has been so poor but still surprised that breathing is laboured. Up the zig zag hill to Scald Law, the Pentlands highest hill at 579 metres, topping its neighbour Carnethy by a whopping 3 metres. 2nd wind breathing now sorted out.

East & West Kip

There is a trig point here to stop and take in the views and get a good look to the west at today's principal objective the 2 Kips. The spans of the new Forth road bridge can be clearly seen. Just as expected for this year the cold northerly wind is blowing strongly and glad I was not wearing shorts.

Scald Law from East Kip

The entire Pentland ridge is a roller coaster walk so down I wander and climb up the slopes of East Kip. Being so close to Edinburgh these hills are well walked so there is a well worn trail. The views are good and a raven keeps me company, maybe hoping I will throw it some food but none to hand. 

Grouse moor

The wind seems to be even stronger so a brief look around at the nice farmland and moor scenes. The patchwork quilt of Hare hill across the way indicates a grouse moor that has been scorched to create new heather growth. I look back and see a hill runner on top of Scald Law running the track to South Black Hill. Once maybe but too old for that now.

East Kip & Scald Law from West Kip

Up and down and reach the top of West Kip. It is described as the narrowest top on this ridge but it is fine. Looking back I see a runner coming down the flanks of Scald Law, looks like a different person.
I descend and take the trail heading back to Balerno. At first this is a wide expanse of open moorland. Ravens and crows are walking the heather and scrub looking for nests to raid. A call of a raptor and a merlin flies low clearly carrying a bird in its talons. The runner does not pass me so I presume there was a return run back along the ridge.

Carnethy, Scald Law, East & West Kip

Looking back there are excellent views of the hills I have just tramped. To my left I can see people on the ridge of East Cairn Hill, be doing that soon.
As you get close to Balerno you can head back towards Harlaw reservoir but I elect to go to Balerno and walk back to Currie alongside the Water of Leith.
Checked the GPS and exactly 12 miles walked with 1550 feet of elevation so a reasonable workout. Sadly driving home tonight so no beer to look forward to, sad.