This route had been percolating in my head for a few weeks. Having discovered/rediscovered (I must have been here at some point when I was a child!) the Pentland Hills recently, the ridge walk across the top of some of the highest points has been beckoning. The weather was borderline and the day started with strong winds and some sideways hail/snow. But with some sage advice from my trusted mountain friend and her dog, we headed off with the wind at our back.
It propelled us up the first hill to the top of West Kip. I had to crouch as we reached the top to prevent myself being blown off. The path snaked off in front of us to East Kip and to the highest point of the Pentlands, Scald Law. We met a few weary souls on the way battling against the oncoming wind so was very glad of the direction we were headed in.
By this point a rainbow had appeared, the sky had begun to crack open and the views down to Glencorse and Loganlee Reservoir below had opened up. So we decided to push on and finish the full 5 hilltops to include Carnethy Hill and Turnhouse Hill at the furthest end. What we hadn’t quite accounted for was the walk back down to ground level which took us further away from our start point with every step. We were almost at Flotterstone car park by the time we could turn around and head back West.
It was an easy amble back along the reservoirs although by this time my legs were becoming wearier and the full frontal of the wind tunnelling up the valley didn’t help matters. Respite came in the final part of the route through a beautiful little narrow passageway alongside a stream and waterfall. A beautiful way to finish a classic Scottish ‘4 seasons in one day’.
Debbie's 500 Miles for Parkinson's UK 