Pentland Hills |
Easter Howgate, East Cairn Hill, Font Stone |
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Easter
Howgate 1152 x 864 346K |
This is a farm beside the A702, just before the turn-off to the Bush Estate as you travel south from Edinburgh. This is the view looking down from Castleknowe, not far from Castlelaw Fort. |
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East
Cairn Hill 1152 x 864 190K |
Looking up the Henshaw Burn towards East Cairn Hill. This burn feeds the North Esk Reservoir near Carlops. Photographed in June 2002. |
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East
Cairn Hill 11 1280 x 851 307K |
It's July 2006 and we've walked here 5 miles from the A70 via the Thieves Road. This puddle near the summit is too small to be called a lochan but nevertheless provides a little ecosystem for wildlife. |
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East
Cairn Hill 13 1280 x 851 396K |
The north west cairn lies just along this path. Cottongrass (Eriophorum vaginatum) grows amongst the heather. |
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East
Cairn Hill 15 1280 x 1024 645K |
The sun came out again showing the surface vegetation at its best. Bright red cloudberries and purple heather give a splash of colour. The large filesize is due to the amount of detail in the picture. |
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East
Cairn Hill 16 Harperrig 1280 x 851 249K |
Beside the cairn 561m above sea level. This hill has two cairns about 1km apart and both at the same altitude but the real summit is on the central plateau at 567m. This view is facing NNW to Harperrig Reservoir 2km away. |
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East
Cairn Hill 17 1280 x 851 354K |
The interior of the cairn is bowl-shaped, similar to other ones on the Pentland Hills. The flat summit is on the horizon behind the highest part of the cairn. Just to the right, near the centre of the picture is the south east cairn. |
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East
Cairn Hill 18 1280 x 877 323K |
An ultrawide lens captures all of the cairn's interior. As well as providing shelter from any wind, comfortable seating is provided for 2-3 people. |
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East
Cairn Hill 19 Harperrig 1280 x 851 146K |
Similar to picture #16 above but with a wider view showing part of the cairn and more of the July sky. |
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East
Cairn Hill 21 1280 x 851 218K |
This view shows the main Pentland Ridge in the distance, between the cairn and the real summit of East Cairn Hill, that slight bulge on the boggy plateau. The SE cairn can just be distinguished near the right hand edge of the picture. |
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East
Cairn Hill 22 Harperrig 1280 x 851 131K |
An ultrawide shot showing the stone seats inside the cairn on the left. West Cairn Hill is on the left 2km distant. Harperrig Reservoir is right of centre. |
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East
Cairn Hill 24 1280 x 851 220 K |
A long lens shot of the other cairn. This one is a less grand affair and doesn't seem any higher than the dry stane dyke. In the far distance the telephoto lens picks out the windfarm above Eddleston. |
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East
Cairn Hill 25 1280 x 851 359K |
Despite the few walkers coming here, the path is well worn, showing how fragile the ecosystem is. The main Pentland Ridge is in the distance on the left. |
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East
Cairn Hill 26 Cloudberry 1280 x 878 302K |
A close-up of a cloudberry. |
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East
Cairn Hill 27 1280 x 851 403 K |
A red rock lies amongst the heather. In the distance is Greystone Head. The path downhill from here leads back to Thieves Road. |
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Flotterstone 05 from Turnhouse 1152 x 864 289K |
A line of trees snakes across the foothills of The Pentlands towards Flotterstone beside the Edinburgh - Biggar road, the A702. Photograph taken from Turnhouse Hill. |
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Font
Stone 800 x 585 126K |
The Font Stone. It seems to be considered good luck to toss loose change in here. There was more cash the last time we passed this way; someone must collect the money... |
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Font
Stone 2 800 x 600 105K |
Near Ninemileburn, there's a footpath up Scroggy Hill which leads up to Cap Law. This picture shows the Font Stone half-way up. West Kip is in the distance. |
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Font Stone 0203a 1152 x 864 254K |
Taken with an Olympus E10, this and the following two photos show more detail. Quarrelburn reservoir can be seen far below. |
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Font
Stone 6 1024 x 768 182K |
Looking down into the hollow cavity in the stone. There's a little rain water covering the coins that passing walkers have thrown in, perhaps for good luck. |
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Font
Stone 4 800 x 600 167K |
It's been stormy and there's quite a lot of water in the stone. There's still a strong wind blowing, disturbing the surface. This stone has a legend you might be able to investigate in the Font Stane pub in the centre of old Penicuik town. |
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