Pentlands – Scald Law, Scroggy Hill, South Black Hill, Smithy Cleugh, Swanston

A view of Scald Law from East Kip

Scald Law's flat summit is on the left of the picture at the top of the winding path. This view is from about half way up Carnethy Hill.

Climbing the path from Kirk Road on a misty morning in April 2011.

Three infrared views of the summit of Scald Law. The footpath leads along the ridge to Carnethy and Turnhouse. The Firth of Forth is on the horizon.

The marker post at the summit.

Panning the camera to the left shows more of the Firth of Forth with glimpses of Edinburgh and Inchkeith Island. Fife lies beyond.

The crumbly path leads down and then up again to East Kip and West Kip. At the bottom of East Kip there's a path down to Lovers Loup and Green Cleugh.

A long lens look at that crumbly path as seen from the lower slopes of the Kips.

The village of Silverburn sits astride the A702, once an old Roman Road. Directly east, lies Penicuik. Photographed from the top of South Black Hill.

To come here by public transport, get off the Stagecoach bus at the village, turn right at the main road. Just along this long straight stretch of road is the start of the path over Kirk Road.

There's a bunch of people on the summit which overlooks Silverburn and Penicuik. The photo was taken from nearby Scald Law (1899 feet).

From Scald Law, a view to nearby South Black Hill. A diversion from the main ridge path worth taking for the views.

The cairn at the summit is visible. The sky is rather busy on this blustery day.

Having found the most sheltered spot behind the cairn I took a few views. This infrared shot shows Carnethy. There are glimpses of the Firth of Forth behind the hills.

Still in infrared, I zoomed in on the footpath from Kirk Road up the ridge to Carnethy.

Looking down on the village of Silverburn on the A702 road. Penicuik is in the background on the left.

Zoomed in a bit more on the village. The back road is where a roe deer nearly jumped in front of the MacEwan's bus we were traveling on earlier this day.

I swapped cameras to take this infrared view of Silverburn. At bottom left more of the quarry entrance can be seen.

On the foothills of the headlands lies Smithy Cleugh between the Howden Burn, the riding stables and the golf course beside Swanston village. If you want a more leisurely walk then this path doesn't take you up the high hills. A climb is necessary to avoid the golf course.

Looking westwards across Howden Glen towards Bonaly Hill, more correctly called White Hill. At the extreme right are the Polo Field and the Bonaly housing development.

This is a bridle path. Beyond the snowy gorse bushes the path turns left (east) up a hill then down to Swanston.

At the very bottom of the hills round Smithy Cleugh, facing Dreghorn Link and the A720 bypass. Highland cattle are well protected from cold but because their pasture is covered in snow they've been given hay.

Shearie Knowe is the lower hill on the left. Further along there is a stile where you can cross the fence and take a path down to the bridle path. Left for stables, right (up the hill) for Swanston. The hill on the right is Byerside Hill. From this point the fence turns left and continues on a dyke, south, up to Allermuir's summit.

Swanston Village where author Robert Louis Stevenson used to hang out.

Two holes appeared in the clouds and rays of sunshine appeared to fan out dramatically in this shot taken from near Swanston. The rays are, of course, parallel.

A more recent picture of the cottages shown above. Parked cars usually obscure this view. To find car-free villages it's necessary to travel to Switzerland.

This old tree will provide shade for the perspiring hill-walker later in the year. Beyond this point there are paths leading to Hillend, Caerketton and Allermuir.

Up near the T Woods are these two Highland Cows, both of which were pregnant in March 2008.

They're quite friendly and will come to check you out if you stand at the edge of their field.

Braidburn Valley Park is distinguishable to the right of the S shaped Greenbank Crescent. The white block shape building is part of the Royal Edinburgh Hospital.

Two close-ups of the cow. The location is on a knowe (325m) just north of Muilieputchie hill (345m).

She's chewing the cud in this second picture.

At Swanston near the T Woods. Both cows have now had babies.

Mother and offspring are both well protected from the cold.

May 2010 and the Highland Cow population has increased. Caerketton Hill is in the background. This beast has one curved horn and one straight one.

A sequence of four shots as one of the cows passed me. Part of the 'T' Woods can be seen behind.

A bit nearer...

A glimpse of an eye under that shaggy hair.

Two hooves off the ground as the cow joins its family. The A720 Edinburgh Bypass road is visible in the background.

A more recent photo of 3 of the cattle. Although first seen near Swanston, the cattle are free to roam over a large part of the hills.

As a former electronic engineer I appreciate the neat symmetry and craftsmanship. However, assuming the vegetation continues to grow unchecked, rain on it will compromise the insulation and the transformer may be shorted out leading to power cuts at least - and maybe an impressive explosion. How will golfers cope if their electric buggies can't be charged up? They'll have to walk!

The stile. These 3 bits of wood nailed together let you climb over the fence. There's no other way over - and the fence continues all the way to Allermuir's summit.

Walking from Ninemileburn, there's a couple of steep hills to climb near the start. The first one is quite short but Scroggy Hill is a bit longer. It leads to Monks Rig, the fontstone and Cap Law.

An infrared view from Scald Law to East Kip (nearer) and West Kip. Two walkers can be seen near the top of East Kip.

Descending the path down Scald Law. Another path branches off to the right just before East Kip and can take you down to Lovers Loup, Loganlea and Green Cleugh.

A little further up the hill from the arboretum is this expertly built drystane bench.

This view shows a little more of the T Woods in the background.

On hot summer days the tree up ahead provides welcome shade. Higher up the hills, a breeze may keep you cool. The next two pictures show the tree up close.

Judging from its blackened interior, a fire has scorched the surface. Nevertheless (and perhaps because of this) the tree continues to thrive. A white fungus grows here.

A close up view of the white fungus.

This rowan tree also continues to thrive despite being apparently struck by lightning a few years ago. Its red berries are becoming more plentiful. The T Woods are in the background.

A little higher up a T junction leads right (west) to Allermuir - pictured here, or Hillend (next picture).

Turning left (east) takes you along this path to Hillend above the ski slope.

An infrared view of the path from Swanston. On the left, part of the T Woods is visible in front of the scree slopes of Caerketton Hill.

An old song 'Little Boxes' (on the hillside) came to mind when taking these pictures.

Met before, these asymmetrical horns are unforgettable.

A dull day on January 18th 2017 was brightened up by these beautiful beasts.

Arthur's Seat and the Firth of Forth provide the background.

Smithy Cleugh photographed from the path from Dreghorn to Howden Glen

Swanston Village April 2017

The path above Swanston that leads to Hillend.