Pentland Hills

T Woods, Threipmuir, Turnhouse Hill

	T Woods 1024 x 768 86K	Known in Edinburgh as the T Woods but they're actually in the shape of a Cross as seen from above. The Hillend artificial ski-slope is on the left of the woods. Swanston Village is in the trees visible behind the Caiystane suburbs. Photographed from Buckstone Snab.
	T Woods 1152 x 864 202K	This photo taken from Swanston Road.
	T Woods 8 1152 x 864 109K	A couple of studies of mist condensing into water droplets on tree branches. The T Woods are in the background.
	T Woods 9 1152 x 864 119K	This and the previous photo were taken on the same day as Caerketton Misty 08.
	T Woods 13 1152 x 864 293K	Photographed early one morning in late October, looking down from Caerketton. The autumn colours are revealed by the sunshine as commuters travel along the bypass at the southern fringe of Edinburgh. Further away to the north is the Firth of Forth and Fife.
	T Woods / A720 1280 x 851 271K	Near the west arm of the cross-shaped woods, facing east along the A720 Edinburgh bypass. The triangular silhouette of Traprain Law is just visible on the horizon near the left, some 30 miles away.
	T Woods 20 Sunrise 1280 x 834 116K	Early November and the sun is rising later. The northern part of the wood is silhouetted against a pink sky.
	T Woods 21 Sunrise 1280 x 851 111K	15 minutes later and slightly higher up. The pink effect is patchier now.
	T Woods 28 1280 x 850 351K	There are two paths down from Allermuir to Swanston; this is the the least steep one. The T Woods are directly in front.
	T Woods 29 1280 x 850 351K	Further down the hill there's a dead tree and this fallen branch, bleached by wind and weather. It will gradually be recycled by fungus and insects.
	T Woods 30 1280 x 850 351K	A view of the Februrary sun streaming through the bare trees.
	Thieves Road 07 Water of Leith 1152 x 864 342K	Not accessible by public transport. You must drive or cycle miles past Balerno on the A70 Lanark Road, the Lang Whang until you're nearly at Harperrigg Reservoir. The wee bridge pictured here crosses the Water of Leith near its source.
	Thieves Road 10 1152 x 864 185K	Further along the path and East Cairn Hill is getting closer. July 2005.
	Water of Leith Harperrig 15 1280 x 851 354K	Taken a year later than the Thieves Road pictures above, showing the same little footbridge over the Water of Leith. Up here, it's a small burn (stream) trickling from nearby Harperrig Reservoir. This view is facing north towards the Lang Whang.
	Water of Leith Harperrig 16 1280 x 851 353K	In this south facing view both East Cairn Hill and West Cairn Hill are visible. The walk from the carpark on the A70 to the top of East Cairn Hill is 5 miles.
	Thieves Road 15 1152 x 864 261K	This area is Cauldstane Slap and if you continue straight ahead you'll eventually get to West Linton. Turn left at the gate for the path up East Cairn Hill.
	Thieves Road 17 1152 x 864 293K	"For almost 200 years small black cattle were driven through this pass on their way from Highland grazings to English markets. Robbers and cattle reivers lurked in the heather in those days, giving the route its sinister nickname - the Thieves Road." (information from the Ranger Centre)
Continue to this page to see the summit of East Cairn Hill.
	Thieves Road 22 1152 x 864 171K	On the way back to the Lang Whang we encountered this bull.
	Thieves Road 23 1152 x 864 224K	We also met one of the younger generation.
	Threipmuir 1024 x 768 79K	Looking west from Harbour Hill. Behind Threipmuir Reservoir is East Cairn Hill.
	Threipmuir from Bell's Hill 1152 x 864 148K	Much closer up in this next picture. The causeway lets walkers cross the eastern tip of the reservoir instead of having to walk round the marshy area between Bell's Hill and Black Hill.
	Threipmuir Blacksprings 1152 x 864 122K	Taken from the footpath round the north west side of Black Hill, this picture shows the causeway more clearly, as well as a wading fisherman silhouetted against the water's silvery surface.
	Threipmuir'10e 1280 x 850 187K	The water level was very low when we passed this way in May 2010. Some walkers are taking advantage and exploring the reservoir bottom.
	Threipmuir'10g 1280 x 850 223K	As seen from the path down to Blacksprings.
	Threipmuir'10e Blacksprings 2 1280 x 850 187K	It looks like the reservoir has been drained for some remedial work.
	Turnhouse 800 x 600 73K	The end of the chain when walking north-east. You must follow the path to descend to Flotterstone Village. In the background you can see the Firth Of Forth.
	Turnhouse from Castleknowe 02 1152 x 864 203K	As seen from the opposite direction to the picture above. The path up from Flotterstone can be seen climbing through the trees toward the summit. If you look closely you can see walkers at several places on the path.
	Turnhouse from Castleknowe 1152 x 864 303K	Framed by Scots Pine trees. To see more of Castleknowe, click here.
	Turnhouse from Castleknowe 3 1280 x 854 332K	Another view taken in November 2009.
	Turnhouse Carnethy 1024 x 768 154K	Turnhouse Hill (506m) is on the far left, with Carnethy Hill (573m) on the right. The tracks on the grass are from a sheep farmer's quad bike.
	Turnhouse from Carnethy 1152 x 864 254K	If walking the ridge towards Flotterstone then this is the view that awaits you on the last stretch from Carnethy Hill to Turnhouse Hill. The red path snakes down across the heather before climbing again for the last time.
	Turnhouse from Castleknowe 1280 x 854 277K	Castleknowe is a smaller hill near Castlelaw Fort. It has some Scots Pine trees (not shown in this shot) and offers some good views of Turnhouse Hill.
	Turnhouse 4 1152 x 864 188K	There's a small cairn here but the real summit is further ahead. A solitary walker admires the view. On the eastern horizon can be seen the triangular outline of North Berwick Law. (Pictures of and from North Berwick Law start on these pages.)
	Turnhouse to Flotterstone 1 1280 x 1024 461K	Descending the steep path can be tricky in parts. About halfway down, the trees frame the footpath below. The sheep give an indication of scale. Unfortunately the sheep eat any young trees that might sprout.
	Turnhouse to Flotterstone 2 1280 x 1024 405K	Further down and more of the path can be seen here. It crests a couple of hillocks before finally descending at Flotterstone. There is a visitor centre here, as well as the Flotterstone Inn where you can quench your thirst.
	Torduff Hill 1280 x 854 399K	Not far from the Bonaly area is Torduff Hill which faces Torphin Hill across the other side of Torduff Reservoir. Click here to see a view back down the hill from this path.
	Torduff Hill view to Forth 1280 x 854 361K	The Firth of Forth lies far away to the north. A path leads down the hill to Torduff Reservior. A tarmac footpath follows the northwest side of the water and leads to Permissive Path and Clubbiedean Reservoir.
	Torduff Hill view to Arthur's Seat 1280 x 854 202K	Salisbury Crags, Arthur's Seat, Blackford Hill and the Braid Hills form the skyline here.
	Torduff to Bonaly 1280 x 964 516K	Lying midway between Torduff and Clubbiedean Reservoirs, this path leads to the steep hill above Bonaly Carpark.
	Torduff to Bonaly 2 1280 x 854 432K	Further up the path near the top of the hill. The path continues along a contour through the woods ahead before reaching the main track up to Bonaly Reservoir.
	Torphin 02 1152 x 864 343K	Colinton Community Compost can be purchased here.
	Torphin 03 1152 x 864 240K	The former quarry is behind these painted gates which also sport a sign declaring Colinton Community Compost.
	Torphin view west 1152 x 864 266K	The view west from Torphin Hill. In the distance on the left can be seen the Five Sisters slag heap (shale bing) near West Calder. In the centre is Kaimes Hill whose former quarry contains our rubbish as landfill. On the right is Dalmahoy Hill.
	Turnhouse 2010 - 1 1280 x 850 324K	If the conditions are right then steps often form naturally on steep hillsides. These ones enabled a runner to overtake us easily.
	Turnhouse 2010 - 2 1280 x 804 412K	In front of the trees in the previous picture. These old trees have been shaped by the weather. Any naturally occuring offspring would have been eaten by sheep.
	Turnhouse 2010 - 4 1280 x 863 537K	In the dappled sunshine, under the laid-back trees, with a good view back down to Flotterstone.
	Turnhouse 2010 - 5 1280 x 850 381K	The path gets less steep for a while as you emerge from the trees.
	Turnhouse 2010 - 7 1280 x 888 326K	Further up, looking back. Steps have started to form but soon it gets too steeps and walkers' boots have caused some erosion. Ankle support could save you so coming up here in trainers or shoes is risky.
	Turnhouse 2010 - 8 1280 x 850 395K	Footpaths do meander. Steepness of terrain or wet conditions cause walkers to wear new variations to avoid the bad bits. Up here it's quite steep and it's easier going up than down for some people.
	Turnhouse 2010 - 10 1280 x 850 254K	The last stretch of the path up Turnhouse is easier.
	Turnhouse Loganlea 1280 x 850 274K	Looking across windblown grass towards Loganlea Reservoir. Blackhill's patchy appearance is due to heather burning.
	Turnhouse 2010 - 11 1280 x 850 285K	If not continuing along the ridge (Carnethy, Scald Law, East & West Kip) then you can get down to Glen Road this way. There's a bridge across the Logan Burn between Loganlea and Glencorse Reservoirs.
	Turnhouse 2010 - 12 1280 x 850 362K	It gets steeper as you descend so care is required.

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Pentland Hills

T Woods, Threipmuir, Turnhouse Hill

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