Easter sun and a surprise challenge!

[Spinelli]

Taking advantage of the beautiful weather over the Easter weekend, J and I set off for a stroll over Cap Law from Nine Mile Burn. This was our second outing into the Pentlands, and how different it was from the first! Sunscreen was thickly applied, layers came off, and sunglasses went on. With no wind, rain and ankle deep mud to contend with, we began our walk heading up the near side of the stone wall in the field beside the small car park. Fair warning – if like us you don’t read directions properly and cross the gate before ascending the field, you’ll find your way blocked by a wall and a barbed wire fence. When we made this mistake first time round, there was no way we were going to the bottom to start again, so we precariously crossed the double barrier – J going over the fence and me going under it. We came out unscathed, although my wooly hat was now dangling on the wire! Thankfully, we didn’t make the same mistake twice…

Walking up the wrong side of the fence at the start!

On the right track eventually

Every step across the gently climbing moorland reveals beautiful views back towards the Moorfoot hills, and seeing West Kip and the rest of the Pentlands coming appearing in front is a great inspiration to keep going. This is usually the point where we are overtaken by much fitter people running or cycling past us, but as not very fit beginners we’re happy just plodding along.

Lovely view

West Kip, East Kip and Scald Law opening up in front of us

At the top of Cap Law we stopped for lunch, and it can’t be denied there aren’t many better views for a relaxed picnic! Last time we were up the winds were so high that just standing upright was a struggle, and we ate on the move in the slight shelter of the treeline further on in the walk.

As we reached the foot of West Kip, we looked at each other, and asked, did we fancy a challenge? We’ll take a detour, we decided. We’ll just climb as high as we can up the side of the steep hill, each of us privately earmarking the spot that we’d be happy with reaching before turning back. No way could we get to the top, we thought, it looks far too steep. Setting off, we got to our ‘stopping point’ – and kept going. Next thing we knew, we were on the summit. Feeling extremely chuffed with ourselves, we spent some time taking in the panorama before heading back down the hill.

Back at the foot, we turned left, heading towards Nine Mile Burn, sticking to the right of the fence as it passes just below the sparse woodland. Keeping to the right, we have a short climb towards the pass between Braid Law and Cap Law ridge. From here we can see the cottages where the car is parked, and it’s an easy wander back to the start. A very enjoyable and fairly easy walk, even with the last minute addition of West Kip!

Hill sheep blending in with the background

Some rather windswept trees!

Unfortunately I didn't have my camera this time round, so all photos are from our first trip on this route, a couple of weeks previous.

[Sarah86]

Then Pentlands are very close to me but I have yet to venture out there. A lovely set of photos, I like the black and white wind swept trees.

[Spinelli]

Thanks Sarah. We've lived in Edinburgh on and off for 7 years and only now started to appreciate what's around us - it just shows what we've been missing for so long!