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Normally I wouldn't bother with a walk report of Allermuir seeing as the world and his wife has been up it, but I could only see one other TR that included it together with Black Hill and that was a slightly different route so figured on this occasion it may be worthwhile.
Often Allermuir is climbed via Hillend Ski centre but as I wanted a slightly more central location to Black Hill, I chose to park at Castlelaw (just along from Flotterstone but a less used car park) arriving at just after 11, only 2 other cars there.
From here it is a fairly straightforward walk past the firing ranges and Castlelaw Hill, over Fala Knowe to the bottom of Allermuir.
- Looking up to Allermuir
Reasonably steep climb here got the heart rate up and I reached the summit, only to see that lovely sight of a large group of walkers at the top. They turned out to be teenagers, mostly in denim, being dragged round by an enthusastic leader. Looks on most of their faces suggested that they could think of far better things to do on a saturday than stand in the rain, in a gale on top of a large hill
I hung back until they were led off the summit before looking at the view indicator. The views up here of Edinburgh were superb.
- Views to Arthur's Seat
- Trig Point
- At about 8 o'clock you can just make out the 3 miles to Black Hill
Just then a group of 3 walkers appeared from Hillend so decided to head on over to Black Hill. On the descent I passed four more heading up - busier than picadilly circus - the downside to this end of the Pentlands.
From here I took the path heading SW round the back of Castlelaw Hill heading towards the Glencorse reservoir only to see the fragmented group of teenagers heading the same way. I picked up speed as this path got really quite boggy and as I passed them I couldn't help a wee smile as they slid about, muttering curses as the mud splattered up the designer jeans
The reservoir came into view and I took a steep path on the edge of a wooded area down to the road.
- Path to reservoir
I followed the long road alongside the Glencorse water up to the Loganlea reservoir, I found this a bit of trudge to be honest, I much prefer heather to tarmac
Once at the loganlea it was a case of finding a way up Black Hill - there had been several concrete paths up near cottages but I didn't want to waste time investigating them in case i had to turn back. Just passed the fishery cabin I could see Black Hill's summit and a path up off the road, so began the ascent here. The path quickly disappeared and became a faint sheep track to a plateau beneath the main hill.
- Initial climb off road beneath Black Hill
From here I could see a couple of tracks between the heather so picked one and headed up. In the above photo you can just make them out on the far left of the hill. This meandered up and finished just below the summit where it joined a clear stone path - probably one that I refused to investigate earlier! Following this path may well have been easier but not half as much fun as navigating your own one
A short stroll revealed possibly the world's smallest cairn at the summit
Although Black Hill is a featureless flat summit the views are spectacular - almost a 360 panorama. No-one else here, a pleasant change from Allermuir - I really enjoyed being up there.
- View across to the kips
Was planning to have a bite to eat at the top here but it was so boggy I headed back down to the reservoir. After a feed, the walk back along the reservoirs wasn't half a bad as before. Back to the car in just under 4 hours. A good saturday in the Pentlands
