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Home , Carlops, Glencorse Reservoir, Harperrig Reservoir, Pentland Hills, Slateford, Threipmuir Reservoir

To Robert Louis Stevenson the were the ‘Hills of Home’. The Pentlands are often described as lighthouse. the for foundations the provides now which of base the Rock, Bass the on castle who led the horse at the battles of Rullion Green and Bothwell Bridge. In April 1682 he stood trial in , was sentenced to death, but was imprisoned in the the in imprisoned was but death, to sentenced was Edinburgh, in trial stood he 1682 April In Bridge. Bothwell and Green Rullion of battles the at horse the led who John Stirling Stirling John

Edinburgh’s lungs. The Friends of the Pentlands seek to protect and enhance the Pentlands, but we also wish leader, Covenanter notable a (1606-93), Newholm of Learmonth Joseph Major commemorates plaque a church, same the In church. within located

Dr Manuel of . The original stone was inscribed simply ‘COVENTER DUNSYRE 1666’, and is now now is and 1666’, DUNSYRE ‘COVENTER simply inscribed was stone original The Dunsyre. of Manuel Dr

It is thought that the Covenanter’s name was John Carphin. The present stone was erected c.1841 by Rev Rev by c.1841 erected was stone present The Carphin. John was name Covenanter’s the that thought is It to encourage responsible access. Stirling John

Mankind and nature interacted in the Pentlands long before the term ‘recreation’ was coined. Visitors today visible. is Muirkirk), of Sanderson of Blackhill, carried the body to a spot from where the distant hill of Cairn Table (a little south south little (a Table Cairn of hill distant the where from spot a to body the carried Blackhill, of Sanderson

can pursue investigative and recreational activities in a working environment that exudes cultural and natural Adam shepherd, The county. home his hills, Ayrshire the of sight with buried be he die, he should that,

through the hills to a shepherd’s cottage near Medwynhead where he rested. The Covenanter requested requested Covenanter The rested. he where Medwynhead near cottage shepherd’s a to hills the through

heritage and significant biodiversity. Visit, relax, enjoy and respect. miles 11 way his made and escaped but Green Rullion at wounded was He buried. was Covenanter

A small headstone on Black Law in the southern Pentlands marks the spot where an unknown unknown an where spot the marks Pentlands southern the in Law Black on headstone small A battle of Pentland, of battle

THE NATURAL LANDSCAPE ACCESS & ACTIVITIES the name: alternative the Hence Pentland?” at you “Were was: Covenanters suspected of persecutors the named on the memorial stone erected at the site on 28 September 1738). One of the questions asked by by asked questions the of One 1738). September 28 on site the at erected stone memorial the on named

Geology of the Pentlands Access (both MacCormick Andrew Rev and Crookshank John Rev ministers, Irish two including battlefield,

The oldest rocks in the Pentland Hills were formed 430 million years ago under the ocean. Since the passing of the Land Reform () Act by the new the on buried were Most Kirkyards. and at interred were dead the of Some people.

They formed from mud, silt and sand which were washed into an ocean which separated two Scottish Parliament in 2003, ‘freedom to roam’ has been enshrined local by buried being before day a and night a for left bodies the and clothes their of stripped were

continents. These two continents came together and the rocks that had formed under the ocean in Scots law, thereby formalising the long-standing tradition of dead the tradition, to According prisoner. taken number that twice perhaps with killed, were 50 About were folded and uplifted to form land. These vertical layers of rocks can be seen clearly at the unhindered access to open countryside in Scotland. Alongside the force. superior the to succumbed eventually but hours three about for own their held Covenanters The

Outdoor Access Code, this new Act places clear responsibilities on Howe, to the west of Loganlea Reservoir. Binns. the of Dalzell Tam General under troops government 3,000 by Flotterstone)

visitors as well as conferring rights of access to most (but not all) parts A later period of volcanic activity produced most (above Green Rullion of battle the at defeated were 1666 November 28 on and city, the enter to failed they Edinburgh, on marched Covenanters 900

of the countryside. It also places rights and responsibilities on all other of the rocks and hills in the Pentlands. Volcanic Around II. Charles by imposed persecutions the against rose Covenanters the when 1666 November 13 on Galloway in began Rising Pentland The

land users, not least on land and recreational managers of all kinds. vents situated near Swanston and Peter C Harnden Covenanters

produced ash and lava which created rocks Know the Code

accumulated to over a kilometre in thickness. You have the right to be on most land and water for recreation, education and for going from again. gaze – dreaming – Caerketton steep or Allermuir, topmost from Halkerside, from – I that meseems and vanish: tropics “The wrote: he there From 44. aged Samoa in death his of time the to up Pentlands

(1850-1894) lived at Swanston with his parents from 1867 to 1880, and it is widely believed that Swanston was the birthplace of his genius. He certainly retained vivid memories of the the of memories vivid retained certainly He genius. his of birthplace the was Swanston that believed widely is it and 1880, to 1867 from parents his with Swanston at lived (1850-1894)

A visit to any of the high hills will allow you to place to place providing you act responsibly; accordingly you should take note of the following Stevenson Louis Robert

find dark-coloured rock produced by one of these when you are in the outdoors: relationship. that imbue to Pentlands the in him joined letters of men when Club’ Friday ‘ the up

ancient volcanoes. • Take personal responsibility for your own actions and act safely; set Cockburn genius’. of ‘hot-bed a as described then city, the and Bonaly between relationship the loved He enlightenment. Scottish the in figure central a was Cockburn people. and events on commentator

(1779-1854) set up his country home at Bonaly Tower when he married in 1811 and he died there in 1854. Like Scott, Cockburn was a lawyer, but he was also a conservationist and a brilliant brilliant a and conservationist a also was he but lawyer, a was Cockburn Scott, Like 1854. in there died he and 1811 in married he when Tower Bonaly at home country his up set (1779-1854)

Around 370 million years ago in rivers and lakes • Respect people’s privacy and peace of mind; Cockburn Henry

was deposited which can best be seen • Help land managers and others to work safely and effectively; sky”. frosty clear a against Carnethy of ridge the than beautiful more anything saw never I think “I times: those of memory this us left He Pentlands. northern the in walking enjoyed and Woodhouselee

on East and West Cairn Hills. The Pentland Fault, • Care for your environment and take your litter home; visited regularly he period that During 1804. to 1798 from use summer for at cottage a rented Scott successful. hugely was novel,

, his first first his , Waverley 1814, in anonymously Published novel. historical the of genre the of founder the as renowned is (1771-1832)

running along the route of the A702, lifted the • Keep your dog under proper control; Scott Walter

older rocks of Pentlands up beside younger rocks. • Take extra care if you are organising an event or running a business. change. of espousal the and superstitions; and ways rural old rich; the by poor the of exploitation the

During the Ice Age the shape of the hills we see www.outdoorsaccess-scotland.com or Scottish Natural Heritage 0131 3163690 harvests; poor the time: the of sorrows and joys the reflect poems His 1801. in published was poetry of volume first His verse. and song composed

(1763-1832) lived in a small cottage called Mount Parnassus at Mid-Kinleith. Thomson worked as a weaver but in the evenings evenings the in but weaver a as worked Thomson Mid-Kinleith. at Parnassus Mount called cottage small a in lived (1763-1832)

today was formed by erosion. Ice flowed over the Hill Walking & Orienteering Thomson James

tops rounding them off and meltwater eroded Walking in the Pentland Hills is a popular form of exercise, but Calvinism. of codes strict the of face the in tradition theatrical

the glens and cleuchs. there are also opportunities for many other kinds of activity. Scottish the reviving with credited is and English and Scots both in wrote Ramsay . near Newhall, at set was and success massive a was

(1725), (1725), Shepherd Gentle The drama, pastoral His tradition. literary Scottish the of development the in pioneer a was (1686-1758) Orienteering is an exciting, challenging activity for all ages and Ramsay Allan

Wildlife abilities. The basic principles are not difficult. Keep your north Connections Literary The varied habitats of the Pentlands give rise to

lines on the map aligned with north on your compass, and keep rich diversity of wildlife. Grasslands are home to reservoir. Glencorse of waters the now beneath which are of remains the Hopes the in St Katherine of

it aligned every time you change direction. No matter how Scott Whitelaw brown hares, short-eared owls, common shrew chapel the built William Sir deliverance his of recognition In Loganhouse. and Kirkton of lands the him granted and William Sir embraced King The

young, old or fit you are, you can progress at your own pace, as and meadow brown and ringlet butterflies, whilst it. killed other the and stag the turned hounds William’s Sir of one moment, last the at and prayers, his to answer In Katherine. St and Virgin the

the object is to find the controls accurately by simultaneously paying attention to fine detail on heather moorland accommodates red grouse, Christ, to predicament, prayed his realising William, Sir William. Sir of life the against Pentland of forest the betted and wager the accepted King

the map and making quick decisions on route choice. mountain hare, merlin, emperor moth and green the stag. The catch would hounds his that head who wagered his Roslin of Clair St William Sir from apart silent remained All his. outmatch could

There are three Permanent Orienteering Courses on the Pentland Hills: at Bonaly, Hillend and

hairstreak butterfly The deliberate but carefully- that hounds had them of any if companions his asked he occasion one hounds. On his from escaped always stag white a that found Pentlands

Castlelaw. These comprise a set of numbered control posts, a map showing their locations, and

’ by Sir Walter Scott, about a Pentland white stag. Robert the Bruce while hunting in the the in hunting while Bruce the Robert stag. white Pentland a about Scott, Walter Sir by ’ Minstrel Last of the Lay supervised burning of heather (muirburn) creates ‘ the in related story, a is There

an explanatory sheet giving suggestions for combining these controls into courses of varying

a mosaic of differing ages and varying heights SOME KEY ASSOCIATIONS ASSOCIATIONS KEY SOME difficulty. Visit the website for the Edinburgh Southern Orienteering Club, www.esoc.org.uk for Buchanan David of heather and grasses whose new shoots and details of these and local events. David Brown structures provide food and shelter for mammals, birds and insects. Hill Running Dr Julian Hall Hill running in the Pentlands is another popular sport that The numerous reservoirs in the Pentlands are Steve Chambers attracts a friendly, outgoing and sociable bunch of people. especially good for wildfowl. Bavelaw Marsh, West Hill runners range in ability from leisurely ramblers to world- Further Information Water and Threipmuir Reservoirs are significant class athletes. Carnethy is an Edinburgh-based club that sites for pink-footed geese, mallard, teal, whooper organises hill races in the Pentlands, including the 16 mile Bogle, K and Falconer, S (2010) The Pentland Hills, Stenlake swan and great crested grebe. North Esk Reservoir annual Pentland Skyline Race. This starts and finishes at has a noisy colony of black-headed gulls. Smaller Crumley, J, (1991), The Pentland Hills, Edinburgh, J Donald THE PENTLAND HILLS Hillend and involves a total climb of 6,200 feet. For details ponds support colourful insects like the large visit: www.carnethy.com Falconer, S, (2007), The Pentland Hills: A Walker’s Guide, Milnthorpe: Cicerone 2010 (with updates). red damselfly and common hawker dragonfly, as Cycling Grant, W, (1927), The Call of the Pentlands, Grant. well as amphibians such as common frogs and something for everyone Many of the Pentland paths are suitable for cycling. The Regional Park (www.pentlandhills.org) Grant, W, (1934), Pentland Days and Country Ways, Nelson palmate and smooth newts. has a leaflet on responsible cycling within the Park, but the same principles apply throughout Moir, D G, (1977), Pentland Walks, Bartholomew. Whatever the extent of scrub and woodland in the Pentlands. Cyclists should always travel at a safe speed, take care to give way to and not to times past, the Pentlands are not heavily wooded alarm people or animals, and avoid churning up soft or wet ground. Paths over the hilltops are Morris, A, The Pentlands pocket book: a new guide to the hills of home, Edinburgh, today. There are a few conifer plantations and not suitable due to the high risk of erosion to fragile vegetation; and it is helpful if cyclists avoid Pentland Associates. a network of 19th century shelter-belts and wetter paths and areas not least during the winter months. woodlands surrounding reservoirs. These places John Stirling Horse Riding Friends of the Pentlands – www.pentlandfriends.plus.com are good for pipistrelle and Daubenton’s bats, as well as birds such as tree creeper, willow warbler, The Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 provided the right of responsible access to walking, Pentland Hills Regional Park – www.pentlandhills.org goldcrest and sparrowhawk. Mushrooms and toadstools are often overlooked or destroyed cycling and horse riding. Horse riding has been a minority activity within the Pentland Hills, but by people, although they play a vital role in recycling nutrients in a woodland or grassland. with increasing access to livery and stables, within and close to the Pentlands, it is anticipated Old Pentland Maps – www.maps.nls.uk/ With types such as the pink ballet dancer, fairy ring that more will take advantage of the opportunity afforded through the new responsible access Historic Sites – www.rcahms.gov.uk Angus Shaw champignon and fly agaric they bring an exotic splash rights. Further information can be obtained from the Scottish Equestrian Association and the Weather – www.metcheck.com – type ‘Scald Law’ in location box of colour to a woodland walk. British Horse Society. www.scottishequestrianassociation.org and www.bhs.org.uk Patches of scrubby, prickly gorse are good places to find stonechats, robins and wrens; rocky screes are The Friends of the Pentlands wish to acknowledge the support and advice of the haunt of common lizards basking in the sun; and The Farming Year Scottish Natural Heritage, Council, South Council and the George Kemp Kemp George such bogs and marshes as Red Moss and Kitchen Moss How to act responsibly throughout the year The farming year The wildlife year are home to plants specially adapted to their wet and staff of the Pentland Hills Ranger Service. January Shepherds busy feeding sheep. acidic conditions. Round-leaved sundew and common Pregnant sheep may abort their butterwort, for instance, catch insects in their leaves February lambs, please keep your dogs under Sheep heavily pregnant. TECTIN PRO G & G, E close control preferably on a lead. Heather burning, to improve Snowdrops sprinkle the IN N and obtain essential nutrients from the flies and beetles V H R A E N S C I quality for grouse and other hillsides. N N O G

they trap. C moorland birds. The Pentlands offer wildlife interest at any time of March Sheep lambing – wet, cold and F R S I D hunger are a real threat to young Spring migration – geese fly EN N the year: Whooper swans in winter, banks of DS LA of th PENT primroses in spring, bats hawking for insects on a lambs. Disturbance drives them from Sheep lambing. north. e shelter and may separate them from Swallows arrive. Cuckoos may summer evening, and fascinating fungi to brighten April their mothers. Please keep your dog be heard.

an autumn stroll. under strict control preferably on a OgilvieCharlotte lead. May Ground nesting birds on hills The fragrance of bluebells fills Ground nesting birds. Please keep and moorland. the woods. June your dog under strict control preferably on a lead. Abundance of wildflowers. Look out for butterflies. July High fire risk. Sheep are gathered and clipped. August Game shooting – follow the advice of Grouse shooting season begins. Heather in bloom. posted signs.

Harvest – wheat and barley are Kemp George September Harvesting, ploughing, etc., large harvested. Fungi can be found in machinery needs access to fields. Ground sown for winter wheat abundance. Park your car sensibly. and barley. October Lambs taken to market. Winter migration – geese and Designed and printed by Meigle Colour Printers Limited, Tweedbank, Galashiels whooper swans arrive from November Disturbance or gates left open can Sheep tupping. the North. © Friends of the Pentlands, Registered Scottish Charity, No: SC035514 ruin the sheep breeding season. www.pentlandfriends.plus.com Dr Mike Clark December Please keep your dog under strict Grouse shooting ends. Stoats and mountain hares put control, preferably on a lead. on their white winter coats. Donna Shaw A B C D E F G H J K L M

10 Accommodation 10 Self Catering 1. Eastside Cottages, (J6) 5. Hardgatehead Cottage (G3) 10. Newmills Cottage (J9) 01968677842 01968661597 or 07900697666 01314494300 or 07768397637 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] www.eastsidecottages.co.uk www.hardgatehead.com www.newmillscottage.co.uk 2. Braidwood Farm (K6) 6. Slipperfield House, (G3) 11. Swanston Farm Cottages (M9) 01968679959 01968660401 01314452239 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] www.braidwoodfarm.co.uk www.slipperfield.com www.swanston.co.uk 3. Pentland Cottages (J5) 7. Meadowhead (E2) 12. Leyden Farm Wigwams (F8) 9 01968 660206 01968 682203 Opening 2011 9 [email protected] [email protected] 07710443282 www.pentlandcottages.co.uk 8. Roberton Mains Farm (E2) 4. Carlops Cottage (H5) 01968 682256 07771757224 9. Crosswoodhill Farm, (D6) [email protected] 01501785205 www.go-selfcatering.co.uk/ [email protected] carlopscottage www.crosswoodhill.co.uk Bed and Breakfast 13. Braidwood Farm (K6) 18. Jerviswood (H3) 24. Haughhead Farm (H9) 01968679959 01968660429 01314493875 [email protected] 19. The Meadows (H3) [email protected] www.braidwoodfarm.co.uk 01968661798 www.visitscotland.com 14. Peggyslea Farm (J5) [email protected] 25. Newmills Cottage (J9) 8 01968660930 www.themeadowsbandb.co.uk 01314494300 or 07768397637 8 [email protected] 20. Ingraston Farm (F2) [email protected] www.peggysleafarm.co.uk 01968682219 26. Violet Bank House (K9) 15. Patieshill Farmhouse (H5) [email protected] 01314515103 01968660551 www.ingraston.co.uk [email protected] [email protected] 21. Dunsyre Mains (D2) www.violetbankhouse.co.uk www.patieshillfarm.co.uk 01899810251 16. Rutherford House (H4) 22. Walston Mansion Farmhouse (D2) 01968660031 01899810338 [email protected] [email protected] www.rutherford-house.co.uk www.walstonmansion.co.uk 17. Mossdale Farm (H4) 23. Vineyard (A2) 01968 661318 01555840156 [email protected] [email protected] Loganlea Reservoir 7 http://www.mossdalefarm.co.uk www.carnwathvineyard.com 7 Hotel 27. Allan Ramsay Hotel (H5) 29. Nestlers Hotel (B2) 31. Riccarton Arms Hotel (K9) 01968660258 01555840680 01314492230 28. Gordon Arms Hotel (H3) [email protected] [email protected] 01968660208 www.nestlershotel.co.uk www.thericcartonarms.co.uk [email protected] 30. Robertson Arms Hotel (A2) www.thegordon.co.uk 01555840060 [email protected] www.robertsonarmshotel.com

Farm Gate Sales A. Boghall Beef and Lamb (M8) C. Spittal Farm (J5) F. Blackmount Foods (E3) Scottish Agricultural College 01968 660206 01899221747 01315353100 [email protected] [email protected] 6 6 www.sac.ac.uk D. Mossdale Farm (H4) www.blackmountfoods.com B. Eastside Farm (J6) 01968 661318 G. Threipmuir Lamb (K9) 01968677842 [email protected] 01314492326 [email protected] http://www.mossdalefarm.co.uk/ [email protected] www.pentland-hills-produce.co.uk E. Garvald Home Farm (E3) Café opening in the future 01968682238 Farmers’ Markets (J9) – second Saturday of the month (K10) – fourth Saturday of the month Carlops (H5) – last Saturday of the month

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Fisheries Fishing in the Pentlands is based on the numerous reservoirs most of which were built in the mid 19th century either for water supply or to power the many mills along the Water of . Most of the reservoirs have been stocked with brown or rainbow trout. The fisheries are managed by a variety of agencies from which daily, weekly or season tickets can be obtained.

Loganlea Reservoir (K7). 1 March to 30 November fly fishing rainbow trout, bank or boat. Permits tel. 01968 676 329 or 0131 663 5055 email [email protected] (L8) fly fishing, brown and rainbow trout. All enquiries to 01738 621121. Baddinsgill Reservoir (G5) fly fishing brown trout both bank and boat. Permits Baddinsgill keeper at the reservoir. Clubbiedean Reservoir (K9) fly fishing, rainbow trout, bank or boat. All enquiries to 01738 621121. The reservoir is a listed wildlife site and provides 4 opportunities to see heron, cormorant, swans, dabchick and tufted duck. 4 (J8) fly fishing, rainbow trout. Permits can be obtained at the reservoir from Balerno Angling Association members, or at the Balerno Post Office. (J8) fly fishing, bank or boat. Boat 2 rods, contact David Graham, Keeper 01314494117. The western end of the reservoir, known as Bavelaw Marsh, holds a bird hide on its southern shore. The Marsh provides a habitat for wintering wildfowl and an autumn feeding ground for waders such as redshank and snipe. (F7) Fly fishing, brown trout, bank or boat. Fishery managed from Cairns Farm. Permits from the fishing hut at the reservoir or tel. 07904 085975 or 07771 594802 or 07786 390577. Crosswood Reservoir (D6) Fly fishing, bank or boat. The reservoir is well stocked with rainbow, blue, brown and tiger trout. Further information from Scott Henderson 07917794963 or email at [email protected] Bus Routes 3 44/44A Balerno – Edinburgh City Centre - Musselburgh 3 93 – Peebles 137 Carnwath – Lanark or Forth 37 Carnwath – Braehead 100/101/102 Biggar – Dolphinton – West Linton – Carlops – Penicuik – Hillend – Edinburgh City Centre 4 Hillend – – Slateford – Edinburgh City Centre – Newhaven 10 -Bonaly – -Edinburgh City Centre – Newhaven- 11 Fairmilehead – Morningside – Edinburgh City Centre – Ocean Terminal 15/15A Penicuik-Hillend – Morningside – Edinburgh City Centre – Musselburgh 16 Colinton-Hunter’s Tryst – Morningside – Edinburgh City Centrte – 27 Hunter’s Tryst – Craiglockhart – Edinburgh City Centre – Silverknowes 2 18 Gyle – Colinton – Edinburgh Royal Infirmary 2 Further information: www.traveline.info/ or telephone 0871 200 22 33

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