Pentland Hills

Scald Law, South Black Hill, Smithy Cleugh, Swanston

	Scald Law 1024 x 768 105K	Scald law at 579 metres above sea level is the highest summit of the Pentland Hills. The zigzag path and the walkers in the near distance give an idea of scale. Photograph taken from the lower slopes of Carnethy Hill.
	Scald Law 4 1024 x 768 114K	Scald Law is on the left of the picture. The footpath can be seen on its northwest side, leading up from the base of East Kip on the right. Photo taken from Hare Hill.
	Scald Law 1024 x 608 124K	The footpath leads from East Kip up the side of Scald Law and on to Carnethy Hill, visible further on.
	Scald Law 2011 1280 x 720 303K	A later, more detailed view of Scald Law. Where the Kirk Road path crosses below, turning left descends to Logan Burn, or turning right goes down to the A701 near Silverburn.
	Scald Law 2005 June 1280 x 1024 314K	Scald Law's flat summit is on the left of the picture at the top of the winding path. This view is from about half way up Carnethy Hill. This is a larger than normal photograph because it's a particular favourite of mine, used for a while as desktop wallpaper.
	Scald Law Sept 07 1280 x 854 74K	The summit is forming its own cloud today, as hills often do, forcing the damp air upwards until the water vapour condenses.
	Scald Law1104 1280 x 720 190K	Climbing the path from Kirk Road on a misty morning in April 2011.
	Silverburn 1024 x 768 120K	The village of Silverburn sits astride the A702, once an old Roman Road. Directly east, lies Penicuik. Photographed from the top of South Black Hill.
	Silverburn A702 1259 x 1024 309K	To come here by public transport, get off the McEwan bus at the village, turn right at the main road. Just along this long straight stretch of road is the start of the path over Kirk Road.
	Silverburn to Kirk Road 1280 x 720 262K	The path leaves the A702 road and heads for the gap in the hills between Scald Law and Carnethy Hill. Walking boots advisable.
	Silverburn to Kirk Road 2 1280 x 854 276K	Looking back along the road from Silverburn. The sign tells us it's 6 miles to Balerno but you can go along the ridge or tarmac road to Flotterstone etc.
	South Black Hill 1024 x 768 86K	There's a bunch of people on the summit which overlooks Silverburn and Penicuik. The photo was taken from nearby Scald Law (1899 feet).
	Smithy Cleugh 1280 x 851 369K	On the foothills of the headlands lies Smithy Cleugh between the Howden Burn, the riding stables and the golf course beside Swanston village. If you want a more leisurely walk then this path doesn't take you up the high hills. A climb is necessary to avoid the golf course.
	Smithy Cleugh to Bonaly Hill 1280 x 851 319K	Looking westwards across Howden Glen towards Bonaly Hill. At the extreme right are the Polo Field and the Bonaly housing development.
	Smithy Cleugh Highland Cows 1280 x 854 392K	The two Highland calves have wandered up to the top of Smithy Cleugh on the lower slopes of Allermuir. Their mothers have followed after them. (Earlier close-up pictures are further down the page.)
	Smithy Cleugh 1280 x 854 321K	Green Craig on the left is rarely frequented by walkers and the highland cows can often be seen there as well as Todhole Knowe which stands south west of the smaller hill Shearie Knowe. The footpath on the right joins a bridle path at the bottom of the hill.
	Smithy Cleugh Jan 3 2010 1280 x 850 259K	This is the bridle path referred to above. Beyond the snowy gorse bushes the path turns left (east) up a hill then down to Swanston.
	Smithy Cleugh Jane 1280 x 905 218K	Looking back down the bridle path into the cleugh. Another path leads up the opposite hill on the left and leads to a stile over a fence.
	Smithy Cleugh Winter Cows 1280 x 850 248K	At the very bottom of the hills round Smithy Cleugh, facing Dreghorn Link and the A720 bypass. Highland cattle are well protected from cold but because their pasture is covered in snow they've been given hay.
	Shearie Knowe 1280 x 720 289K	Shearie Knowe is the lower hill on the left. Further along there is a stile where you can cross the fence and take a path down to the bridle path. Left for stables, right (up the hill) for Swanston. The hill on the right is Byerside Hill. From this point the fence turns left and continues on a dyke, south, up to Allermuir's summit.
	Swanston 800 x 570 67K	Swanston Village where author Robert Louis Stevenson used to hang out.
	Swanston 2 1152 x 864 365K	Looking down on the village on a misty morning. The A720 city bypass can be seen in front of the suburban housing development named after the village.
	Swanston Rays 1152 x 864 65K	Two holes appeared in the clouds and rays of sunshine appeared to fan out dramatically in this shot taken from just above Swanston village. The rays are, of course, parallel.
	Swanston 10 1152 x 864 265K	A more recent picture of the cottages shown above. Parked cars usually obscure this view. To find car-free villages it's necessary to travel to Switzerland.
	Swanston 12 1152 x 864 396K	This old tree will provide shade for the perspiring hill-walker later in the year. Beyond this point there are paths leading to Hillend, Caerketton and Allermuir.
	Highland Cow 2 1280 x 854 303K	Up near the T Woods are these two Highland Cows, both of which were pregnant in March 2008.
	Highland Cow 3 1280 x 854 166K	They're quite friendly and will come to check you out if you stand at the edge of their field.
	Highland Cow Braidburn Valley Park 1280 x 836 196K	The cows are now in another part of the Pentlands, slightly further west. The blurred background of the city contrasts with the foreground. Braidburn Valley Park is distinguishable to the right of the S shaped Greenbank Crescent. The white block shape building is part of the Royal Edinburgh Hospital.
	Highland Cow 7 1280 x 944 179K	Two close-ups of the cow. The location is on a knowe (325m) just north of Muilieputchie hill (345m). The left branch of footpath down from Byerside Hill to Swanston village passes close by.
	Highland Cow 8 1280 x 854 183K	She's chewing the cud in this second picture.
	Highland Cows 7 1280 x 960 296K	At Swanston near the T Woods. Both cows have now had babies.
	Highland Cows 8 1280 x 854 306L	All four beasts are visible in this shot.
	Highland Cows 9 1280 x 943 256K	Mother and offspring are both well protected from the cold.
	Highland Cows 11 1280 x 959 428K	May 2010 and the Highland Cow population has increased. Caerketton Hill is in the background. This beast has one curved horn and one straight one.
	Highland Cows 12 1280 x 873 355K	A sequence of four shots as one of the cows passed me. Part of the 'T' Woods can be seen behind.
	Highland Cows 13 1280 x 850 359K	A bit nearer...
	Highland Cows 14 1280 x 850 332K	A glimpse of an eye under that shaggy hair.
	Highland Cows 15 1280 x 850 313K	Two hooves off the ground as the cow joins its family. The A720 Edinburgh Bypass road is visible in the background.
	Cows 2011a 1280 x 712 144K	A more recent photo of 3 of the cattle. Although first seen near Swanston, the cattle are free to roam over a large part of the hills. Often seen around Smithy Cleugh. Same location as Highland Cow 7 and 8 further up the page.
	Information Map 1280 x 958 384K	If you're coming from Swanston then this notice is full of useful information and a pictorial map. For a larger version click here.
	Swanston Vegetation vs Insulation 925 x 1080 177K	As a former electronic engineer I appreciate the neat symmetry and craftsmanship. However, assuming the vegetation continues to grow unchecked, rain on it will compromise the insulation and the transformer may be shorted out leading to power cuts at least - and maybe an impressive explosion. How will golfers cope if their electric buggies can't be charged up? They'll have to walk!

Back to Pentlands Index

Pentland Hills

Scald Law, South Black Hill, Smithy Cleugh, Swanston

Home