Pentlands – Harbour Hill, Hare Hill, Harlaw, Hillend

Dark clouds to the north-east but the sun is still shining on Harbour Hill, between Maiden's Cleugh and Bonaly Reservoir.

Looking north over the crater at the summit of Hare Hill, we can see Threipmuir Reservoir and Red Moss nature reserve. Dalmahoy Hill is in the middle distance on the left.

At the eastern end of Hare Hill, facing east and looking over Green Cleugh towards Scald Law and Carnethy.

From near the summit of Hare Hill looking east.

The summit is in shade but the clouds are passing away. East Cairn Hill is in the distance near the centre of the picture.

Across the valley of the Logan Burn lies East Kip and West Kip.

If coming clockwise round the north west side of Blackhill this is the flattest route (via Harlaw) to Maidens Cleugh or Bonaly. Other routes include crossing Dens Cleugh (muddy) then over Bells Hill (very steep) and Harbour Hill (very steep at other side) or continuing clockwise back to Glen Road.

Photographed from Easter Craiglockhart Hill. At the bottom of the picture the path from Swanston Village leads up through the trees and past the 'T Woods'. The artificial ski slope is on the left. Three hillwalkers can be seen beside the cairn at the top of the hill.

In the previous picture it's possible to make out the path up the hill above the ski slope. This is what that path looks like when climbing it early on a November morning. It's only as wide as a pair of boots.

This second shot on the path is looking back down to the top of the ski slope. The early morning autumn sunshine shows off the T Woods. The A720 Edinburgh Bypass is in the distance.

If you enter the park from the Hillend bus stop for the ski slope then you'll encounter this sign uphill to the left from the road into the ski centre.

If you climb straight up the steep path then you'll come to this second sign. There's still a fair bit of steep climbing before Caerketton.

If you're at this end of the Pentlands and you want to go higher then this zigzag path is the only route. Two walkers are on the skyline and another two are part way up the path.

The footpath along the north side of Capelaw normally affords good views of the city but this morning the mist is lapping at the hills and Edinburgh is hidden. Down below, the sun is shining on the track up Howden Glen.

Looking up the glen from the Dreghorn end. The army use this bulldozed track occasionally. Rain soon erodes it further up where it's steeper. Capelaw is the hill visible up ahead.

There's an unmarked path up the more gentle slope of Harbour Hill, avoiding Bonaly Reservoir. Capelaw is the hill on the right. Edinburgh and Arthur's Seat are in the distance.

If walking on the path between West Kip and the path to Balerno then you can turn east just before the wall at Red Gate and take this route to Green Cleugh. Carnethy is the large hill on the right in this view.

The track up Howden Glen from Dreghorn is occasionally repaired by the army. It leads to Castlelaw and the shooting ranges.

A convoy of mountain bikers heading up the path from Harlaw to Maidens Cleugh which leads down to Glencorse.

On the path looking up the slope to Maidens Cleugh. Harbour Hill is on the left.

Near Harlaw Reservoir a sign points the way to a woodland walk, Threipmuir Reservoir or Black Springs (beside the causeway at the eastern inflow). East Cairn Hill is in the background.

This path branches off from the topmost point of the Harlaw-Glencorse path and goes round the west side of Harbour Hill.

The path descends only briefly before making a right turn where the trees end near the dam at Bonaly Reservoir.

December 2012. Walking from Bonaly Reservoir up the more gentle slope of Harbour Hill. Further on, a path branches to the right towards Maidens Cleugh.

Popular with cyclists, this is the long, straight path from Harlaw to Maidens Cleugh and Glencorse. Harlaw Reservoir and vistor centre are over behind the trees.

Bell's Hill is a steep climb from Den's Cleugh but the descent to Maiden's Cleugh is easier. From there you may go left to Harlaw or right to Glencorse - or take a path up or around Harbour Hill.

Four groups of people near the junction of Maidens Cleugh and the Bell's Hill / Harbour Hill path.

Wide open spaces beside the path from Harlaw to Maidens Cleugh and Glencorse.

The end of August 2014 and the purple heather is blooming. This is the path along the side of Harehill. Across the other side of Kitchen Moss are East Kip and West Kip.

Oilseed rape without the familiar yellow flowers and presumably ready for harvest. Each slim pod contains a row of seeds.

The path over moorland from Torduff Hill to Harbour Hill.

Intriguing clouds on this day (August 24, 2016) caused me to take photos of the sky.

Looking north towards the Firth of Forth. There were black flies around.

Harbour Hill is straight ahead. Bonaly Reservoir is behind the trees on the left.