Picture-perfect Pentlands

I grew up with the Pentlands on my doorstep, but only in recent years have I come to realise the amazing walking possibilities available in this famous range of hills.

I've since had some truly memorable days out in the Pentlands, including a very windy day with mum, dad and Dave, a great walk round some of the reservoirs with Dad, a snowy stroll to West Linton at the start of this year, and a challenging West Highland Way training walk from Polwarth to West Linton the week after!

I hadn't done the 'ridge' walk between Flotterstone and Nine Mile Burn since that windy day, almost two years ago. Because it was so memorable I've been itching to do the route again, and was delighted to invite myself along to a planned walk with my mum and dad's walking crew.

I enjoy walks with this lot; it's always entertaining and there's usually plenty of food involved.

The plan was to get the 8.56am bus from West Linton to Flotterstone, then walk to Carlops for lunch at the Allan Ramsey. To get to West Linton from my new home in Stow takes around an hour - unfortunately there's not a very logical route cross-country. I aimed to leave the house at 7.45am to get to West Linton just in time to get the bus. So I planned to set my alarm for 7am...but for some unknown reason I set it for 8am. I realised around 8.15am - as I was getting ready - that something had gone a bit wrong in the detail of my plan. I couldn't believe it - I'd never make it to West Linton in time for the bus now.

I do get very frustrated when I have a plan in my mind and things don't go according to that plan. It's an annoying habit of mine to plan everything in advance in my head, go through all the details and all the potential pitfalls. Sometimes it inhibits me from living in the moment, as I'm too busy worrying about what is coming next. It's not a way of thinking that works very well, although I have done it for a very long time. It occasionally has its uses but not often.

I was absolutely raging at myself that I'd set my alarm for 8 instead of 7. I really gave myself a hard time, but I was also determined that this wouldn't let me miss the walk. It was a beautiful day out there, so I quickly got ready, jumped in my car and flew up the A7. What a lovely drive it was - blue skies, autumnal colours, quiet roads. I got to Flotterstone in 35 minutes.

I beat the bus crew by about 10 minutes, and no harm had been done by my silly mistake. It did take a while for me to stop being annoyed at myself about it though!

We set off shortly after 9.30am.

boys in blue setting off

There were a few others out and about, but not as many as I'd have expected, given the quality of the day.

I knew there was an uphill struggle ahead, and wondered how my out-of-practice legs would cope. Although there was an icy wind, it was very warm with the sun beating down and with so many layers on. We plodded on, gaining height with every step. Mum and I stopped to take a layer off, and unfortunately mum managed to leave her walking poles leaning against a gate - only realising when she'd almost reached the top of the hill! It's tough heading up once, but doing it twice is not ideal!

There's a few wee summits to conquer before Scald Law, the highest peak in the Pentlands at 1898 feet, is reachable.

Alun, Moira & Mum

 

 

 

Scald Law is testing, but as always with a testing summit, the reward is well worth it. A great sense of achievement to reach the marker post at the summit - the views were tremendous.

 

The clouds were really coming in by this point - the clear blue skies we'd enjoyed earlier were now behind us. Rain was forecast later in the day, so I was hoping we'd be safely inside when it came!

I do love a jumping photo wherever I go, and today was no different. Thank you very much to Alun for sending over these pictures:

 

We continued from Scald Law over to the Kips, which are short and sharp to ascend. The views were wonderful of course, and I enjoyed looking down to the path I'd taken from Harlaw earlier this year.

I was relying on my phone for photos today, and it spat the dummy before I could get any good Kip pictures. When it came back to life, we were lower down and looking back up.

 

We joined the path to Nine Mile Burn, and again I enjoyed the reminiscing about my walks over this way in February. It had looked very different in the snow, and I'd struggled to find the path. On a day like today it was so obvious and unmissable.

The path gently descends to Nine Mile Burn, where we said goodbye to Alun, and the two Tims and I continued along the old Roman Road to Carlops. Just as we were reaching Carlops the rain began, but thankfully the warm welcome of the Allan Ramsey was within our sights. Somehow time had marched on and it was nearly 3pm. I got a lift back to my car at Flotterstone, a minor inconvenience certainly not worthy of the hard time I'd given myself. The car park was now packed, having been fairly quiet in the morning - I couldn't help but feel that all these people had missed the best of the day.

Back in Carlops, lunch was delighful. We'd only had a few snacks on the hills and were hungry now. It's just unfortunate that the Scotland v South Africa game ruined the digestion!

All in all it had been a great day out in the Pentlands; good company, good weather, and stunning views across Edinburgh and the Borders.

I do love these crisp winter days, chilly but clear. Another of these days came this week, and I was able to take a short walk to the local church and Stow's lovely 'Bridge to Nowhere':

 

I am already making walking plans for 2014, but hopefully there's at least a couple more winter walks to come...stay tuned!