Pentlands – Maidens Cleugh, Ninemileburn, North Esk Reservoir

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

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

Through the gate is the long gentle slope down to Harlaw. Footpaths and tracks are dynamic affairs particularly when water flows down them or makes the ground muddy causing walkers' boots to create diversions.

A long view down the path towards Glencorse.

This is the view back up the hill from further down. We walked on the grass but met a cyclist coming uphill, his back wheel spinning as he lost traction on the slippery ice. December 2012.

After catching the MacEwan's bus to Ninemileburn and climbing Monks Rig we saw this rain squall advancing along the Esk valley and Auchencorth Moss.

More frequently seen zooming acrobatically over grassland, catching insects. The swallow perched on this sign in the tiny village of Ninemileburn

Looking down across the village of Ninemileburn towards the Moorfoot hills. Winter mist lingers over the Esk valley.

Taken from the hill just above Ninemileburn. Looking across the A702 towards the misty valley of the River North Esk.

The most popular footpath is up Monks Rig past the font stone. At the top of the hill is Cap Law. The first small climb is up Scroggy Hill. The A702 Edinburgh to Biggar road runs across this picture.

Originally, this fence post supported the barbed wire it's hanging from. Near Ninemileburn.

Two views from the Scroggy Hill area above Ninemileburn, looking towards the Moorfoot hills.

Mist lingers in a valley on this January morning.

Auchencorth Moss is the flat area behind the Esk valley in this view from above Ninemileburn. Quote from Geograph: 'Auchencorth Moss peat works. Auchencorth Moss is not just a potential wind farm site, it is also being stripped of its peat.'

The view of the Pentlands which inspired Sir Walter Scott may soon be defiled by wind turbines.

I don't know who owns the land or how much money they're getting for all this peat that's being stripped away. Maybe it will end up in plastic bags in garden centres.

The path from Harlaw to Maidens Cleugh is popular with cyclists. Its gentle gradient was too much for some because of icy patches. It's a downhill ride to Glencorse once past the wall at the highest point.

Just before the wall mentioned above, this path branches off to the left and climbs up the north west slope to Bonaly Reservoir.

North Esk Reservoir as seen from the path from Patie's Hill.

There are two horses here, grazing on the dam. One is a bit shy, but the other one may want a cuddle before letting you across.

On the dam, looking back at the horses. The zigzag path coming down from Patie's Hill can be made out in the distance.

Infrared photo. The sign points the way to Maiden's Cleugh on the left and Phantom's Cleugh on the right. The former leads ultimately to Harlaw and Balerno; the latter to Bonaly.

Whilst climbing from Ninemileburn up Cap Law I took a couple of long lens shots of two walkers we'd passed earlier.

Zoomed in further in this shot. The distant hills are the Moorfoots.

We fell into the latter category because Jane broke her wrist at the end of this walk. Thus, this sign at the start of our walk turned out to be prophetic back in January 2015.

A familiar sight to those walking the hills from Ninemileburn. Walking can be easier when the mud is frozen hard but there's a price to pay with slippery surfaces.

A sheet of ice from which the snow has been blown reflects the sun's glare.

Maidens Cleugh is the valley behind this lonesome tree.

Two Highland Cattle on a hill overlooking Edinburgh. In the background Salisbury Crags and Arthur's Seat rise above the city with the Firth of Forth behind.

Highland Cattle are gentle beasts and it's usually safe to go quite close to them as long as there's no dogs around.

This beast has asymmetrical horns and was looking over its shoulder at me as I moved sideways to get Arthur's Seat in the frame.

The next few pictures were taken on 22 Feb. The frosty spell had finished in Edinburgh but several of the Pentland Hills reservoirs were still frozen.

'WARNING Unsafe Structure' proclaims the notice. It's certainly a long way down to the icy surface, beneath which the water may be dangerously shallow.

This picture reveals how low the water level is. Further down the the valley towards Carlops there is evidence of water management.

A closer look at the little island. At certain times of year birds nest here - but in February all is quiet with only two swans at the far end of the reservoir where the ice is melted.

Closer still and it's more obvious that the water is no longer frozen beside the island.

At the end of the pier is the reason for the low water level: the plug has been pulled. Close to the plug-hole the ice has melted and the breeze ripples the surface.

This notice on the dam gives some interesting information about the navvies who completed it in 1850.

Photograph taken in August 2009 for comparison with the winter photo NER11 taken six and a half years earlier.

The waymarked rock provides reassurance that you're on the right path for Patie's Hill and Greystone Head.

Near the top of Patie's Hill and the notice asks walkers and cyclists to follow the path to North Esk Reservoir.