Pentland Hills

The Pentland Hills form a ridge of high ground running for about thirty kilometres southwest from Edinburgh into the upper reaches of Clydesdale. They cover roughly ninety square kilometres and were recognised as a regional park in 1986. The hills rise from gentle farmland near Balerno and Juniper Green to craggy summits such as Scald Law at 579 metres and Carnethy Hill at 573 metres. Their name comes from a small hamlet recorded in the 12th century, itself probably meaning ‘head of the church enclosure’. The hills hold evidence of early settlement, including hillforts at Castle Law and Caerketton from the pre-Roman period. In the 14th century a royal hunting story linked the area to King Robert the Bruce, who supposedly staked an estate on the outcome of a white-deer hunt. Later, in 1666, a small band of Covenanters was defeated at Rullion Green, an event still marked by a cairn and a drove road. More recently, the hills witnessed a tragic crime in 1985 when three soldiers were killed near Loganlea Reservoir. Visitors find open moorland, forestry plantations and reservoirs such as Threipmuir and Harlaw. The volcanic rocks create steep, rugged slopes on peaks like East and West Kip, while lower ground is covered with glacial till and meltwater channels. The southern edge is home to Little Sparta, the garden created by the artist Ian Hamilton Finlay. Paths cross the hills for walking, cycling and horse riding, with views across Edinburgh and the Lothians on clear days.