Pentlands – Capelaw, Cap Law, Dreghorn

About 12KM to the south west of Caerketton is Cap Law at 497M. It's an insignificant hill on the path from Ninemileburn to West Kip but bright winter sunshine on the frosty grass looks very attractive.

Inside a snow cloud, looking out at the sun. This is on the footpath connecting Ninemileburn to West Kip via Scroggy Hill, the Font Stone and Monks Rig.

A surviving patch of trees near the top of Cap Law, stunted by their exposed position to the wind. Sheep would eat any offspring of these very old trees. The sheep rub themselves against the trunks and low branches and leave wool behind.

Looking east from the side of Capelaw Hill, across the southern shores of the Firth of Forth towards North Berwick Law. The Pentland Hills are frosty but have escaped the snow which covers East Lothian.

From the same spot as the Capelaw Crossroads picture above but with the camera pointing to the left towards Calton Hill. Two riders were approaching.

9 o'clock on a January morning in 2009 as the sun peeks over the ridge between Allermuir and Castlelaw.

Interesting clouds at the end of July 2007. Capelaw as seen from Castlelaw.

The footpath leading from the top of Howden Glen to Bonaly.

It was a blustery day with sunshine and showers. We sheltered in the hollow and had some refreshments. I took infrared photos of the passing clouds.

Three minutes later and the cloud had changed its shape. (These infrared views are from the east side of Capelaw.)

Ten minutes later. Allermuir is the hill on the right. The track up Howden Glen continues across to the right towards Castlelaw,

From left to right the hills are Turnhouse, Carnethy, Scald Law, East Kip and West Kip at the end of the ridge. Black Hill stands alone and East Cairn Hill is on the far right horizon.

On the right is Capelaw. The pointed outline of West Kip can be recognised in the distance with Black Hill's rounded outline to its right.

Two walkers ascend the path from Phantom's Cleugh.

Late September 2011 and a warm south wind helped to propel us up here.

A convenient seat is provided by this boulder near the summit.

The hazy background of the Edinburgh Bypass and the southern edge of the city help to make this little tree stand out in the sunshine.

Edinburgh clouded over but the sun still shone on this rowan tree on Capelaw's lower slopes.

A family head back home after a morning walk. Wester Craiglockhart Hill is in the distance with Redford Barracks in front to its left and Firrhill School further right.

The north side of this rounded hill is partly shaded from the February sunshine and consequently has a bluish tinge. Two walkers are heading along the path towards Bonaly.

A look at the dry stane dyke with its lichen patchwork.

A closer look at the mossy boulder.

The sky is still gloomy but the low winter sun picks out the summit of Allermuir. The path on the contour leads from Howden Glen to Castlelaw.

Edinburgh Castle stands out clearly in this view from the path up to Capelaw. Inchkeith island sits in the haze in the Firth of Forth.

Not so easy to get to as Easter Craiglockhart Hill is Wester Craiglockhart Hill. Beyond, St Mary's Cathedral and Western Harbour dominate the view.

Lingering mist had condensed into tiny dew drops on plants and spiders' webs. As we climbed the path to Capelaw from the Polo Field/Dreghorn area the morning sun was breaking through.

Horizontal webs were strewn across the grass, smaller and less structured than the usual type.

A classic spider's web built on a gorse bush and festooned with little drops of water.

Two spiders' webs in this vertical shot. The strands of silk are weighed down.

The lower northern slopes of Capelaw. Two women walking their dog pause for a moment. Redford Barracks are the grey buildings down below on the right.

The intended function of this rusting relic is unclear, possibly erected by the army. The Forth Bridges are in the background.

Three walkers near the top of Cap Law. This is the path from Ninemileburn, up past the font stone on the way to West Kip.

This heads south round the western slope of Capelaw before turning east again towards Allermuir. In the distance is part of the main Pentland ridge showing Turnhouse and Carnethy.

Scattered cushions of moss lie on a gentle slope on the south side of Capelaw.

Nearer Allermuir, looking back at the main ridge's tops of Turnhouse, Carnethy, Scald Law, East Kip and West Kip. The nearer hill on the left is Castlelaw.

Continuing an anticlockwise walk round Capelaw, Edinburgh now comes back into view on the right.

The path starts to descend here, as Dalmahoy Reservoir comes into view.

Intriguing patterns in the sky made more prominent in infrared. December 2012.

In this shot I also captured a spiral in the remains of a plane's vapour trail.

The hillside resembles lots of Weetabix breakfast cereal covered in white sugar.

Whilst descending from Capelaw on the easier path, we saw this mountain biker struggling up the steeper path, evidently intent on reaching the rusty pole near the summit.

Nearly at the top. Both arms were raised in victory at the top. (Friday 19th April 2013)

The first of four infrared pictures. This is the view down from Cap Law to Braid Law. The Esk Valley is in the distance.

Sculpted by the prevailing west / southwest wind, these twisted, tangled conifer trees grow into strange, stunted shapes.

Bent branches support jaggy twigs growing in all directions.

Blown over when it was a sapling, this tree's roots cling tenaciously to the ground.

A larger, colour photo of the same tree.

New growth on the trees in early April 2014.

Tiny green buds, pretty little red flowers, pine cones and lichen.

Sadly, any offspring produced by these trees is likely to be eaten by sheep. I suggest fencing the area off to allow young saplings to grow.

Two family members wait on the other two. The path branches to to the left at the bottom and leads to the path down to Bonaly or Dreghorn. Straight ahead up the hill joins with a popular route up Capelaw. Infrared photo.

The same family heading in the direction of Harbour Hill. To the right, through the trees is Bonaly Reservoir.

On the left branch of the path mentioned above I took a picture of this rainbow with Edinburgh in the distance.

The path connecting Capelaw with Dreghorn / Laverockdale tends to wander due to muddy conditions near here. The wooded hill is Whitehill which overlooks Bonaly.

A wintry view from Cap Law to Hare Hill behind which is a glimpse of the Forth road bridge. January 2015

Lichen on part of a wooden fence at the south side of Capelaw.

Recently completed is this magnificent construction which provides a welcome rest to walkers ascending Capelaw's lower slopes from the Dreghorn direction.

It's more than just a shelter; it's outdoor art and craftsmanship. 'Rest & Reflect' is carved into this stone. Nearby mossy stones set it off nicely.

The two wooden benches are made from a slice of a tree trunk. In this picture Arthur's Seat is visible on the horizon. The area to the right of Arthur's Seat is Swanston.

Both halves of the S have a window.

A view through the window to Arthur's Seat.

Both halves in this picture. (Since taking these photographs a plaque has been attached naming the area as Dreghorn Woods.

Dreghorn Woods Seat April 2017

Zooming in on Salisbury Crags and the Firth of Forth.

A wide infrared view showing Arthur's Seat and the Firth of Forth.

Zoomed in in this infrared view. The open space near the bottom of the picture is Braid Burn Valley Park. Comiston Road runs parallel.

Zoomed in on Edinburgh Castle. The green area nearer the bottom of the picture is Merchants of Edinburgh Golf Course.

From the slopes of Capelaw directly up from Bonaly Reservoir

The path from Dreghorn to Howden Glen

Orange coloured lichen on some trees

A closer look at the orange lichen beside green moss on a tree

A contrast in tree bark compared to the previous two.