This excellent circuit from the north side of the Pentlands tackles West and East Kip - the shapeliest of the range - en route to Scald Law, the highest. It then returns to the start via Green Cleuch.
Bog Factor
Clear hill paths; some rough sections, steep on the Kips.
Threipmuir car park.
Balerno (bus) is 3km from the walk start.
NT166638
There is a good sized car park just north of Threipmuir Reservoir, reached by following the Marchbank road south from Balerno; the car park is on the left. Begin by rejoining the road, following it as it crosses the reservoir via Radford bridge and then climbs, tree-lined and straight as an arrow, towards Bavelaw. When it reaches a T junction turn right (signed Nine Mile Burn) and then turn left at a gate onto a smaller track. Go through a gate and continue by the fence and wall with the woods on the left. After another gate the track continues across moorland.
At the high point of the pass continue through a gate in a drystone wall. The track descends slightly to cross the Logan Burn before climbing once more, eventually bearing left and then following a fence to reach the bealach or col between the steep cone of West Kip (left) and the gentle slopes of Cap Law (right). A stile over the fence is a right of way over Cap Law to Nine Mile Burn; but for our route turn left and begin the very steep but grassy ascent of West Kip.
West Kip is the finest of the Pentlands and the peaked summit reveals superb views over much of Lothian as well as across to the Moorfoot hills. Continue along the ridge over the less significant East Kip and then down to the bealach to the east. The path now climbs towards Scald Law, cutting across the steep slope to the left at first before gaining the flat-topped ridge. There are good views back over the Kips; join the ridge path and continue easily up to the top of Scald Law.
The flat top of this, the highest of the Pentlands, is marked by a trig point. Continue over the top and follow the path that descends the ridge towards Carnethy Hill - which is almost as high but more shapely than Scald Law. At the bealach cross a stile over the fence. It is of course possible to continue over Carnethy Hill and the ridge to Flotterstone but that leaves you a long way from the start. To begin a return to Threipmuir instead, turn left alongside the fence, following the old 'Kirk Road'.
This soon recrosses the fence at a stile and continues the descent northwest, crossing another stile (or through a gap), before heading down to reach the whitewashed house at The Howe. Here turn left and follow the stream, soon crossing it at a ford (usually possible with dry feet). The path now leads through the narrow glen of Green Cleuch, climbing at first and crossing another stile. The route crosses to the other side of the glen as it swings northwards.
When the path forks stay on the main, left-hand path. Heading out of the glen, the excellent path winds its way westward over undulating terrain before eventually reaching the trees near Bavelaw Castle at a stile. Cross this and continue along the beech-lined lane. This turns left to reach the T junction near the start of the walk; turn right here to head back along the lane, across Threipmuir and returning to the car park.
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