Hills: Black Hill and Scald Law (Pentlands)
Date: Saturday 3rd December 2011
Company: Just myself
Distance: 13km, Ascent: 690m
Time: 4 Hrs

I set off this morning to ascend Black Hill and Scald Law in the Pentlands.
I parked at the Threipmuir car park, near Balerno.

The weather today was dry and sunny, but very windy.

Click here to see a map of the route undertaken

Threipmuir car park Pentlands information sign:


From the car park, I followed the tarmac road leading towards Bavelaw castle.

Bavelaw entrance:


Threipmuir reservoir:


Road leading to Bavelaw castle:


After a mile of walking along the road, I reached a gate providing access to the open countryside and the Pentlands.

Start of path leading to the Pentlands (Hare hill in background):


Grassy track:


I made fast progress along the good track.

Black Hill:


On reaching the base of Black Hill, I followed a path which ascended a short distance up Black Hill before it started descending towards the reservoir. At this point, I followed a fence up the hill.

Start of path ascending Black Hill:


Looking back towards Threipmuir reservoir:


Pentlands from Black Hill:


On reaching a wooden section of fence, I climbed over it, and continued on to the summit of Black Hill.

Ascending Black Hill:


It was very windy up top so I didn't hang around for long – no gusts, just a constant strong wind.

Summit of Black Hill (Carnethy Hill in background):


Edinburgh from summit of Black Hill:


It was nice to get a view across to Allermuir Hill, which I ascended in September 2011.

Allermuir Hill from summit of Black Hill:


I wasn't sure of the best descent from Black Hill towards Scald Law. I descended directly to the Howe. The final section was quite steep with quite a bit of bracken. It might have been easier to descend via Gask Hill.

Looking across to Scald Law:


Loganlea reservoir:


On reaching the Howe, I crossed the track and began the ascend of Scald Law.

The Howe:


I followed the good track leading to the col between Carnethy Hill and Scald Law.

Track ascending Scald Law:


Looking back across to Black Hill:


Looking down to path leading back to Threapmuir car park:


By the time I reached the col, the wind was quite strong. The final ascent of Scald Law was quite difficult, walking into gale/storm force winds.

Carnethy Hill from Scald Law:


Carnethy Hill from summit of Scald Law:


Edinburgh from summit of Scald Law:


It had been my intention to continue on across East Kip and West Kip, but that would have meant continuing to walk into the wind. Instead I opted to descend back down to the Howe with the wind at my back.

During the walk back to the car, I stopped to get a photo of the Howe waterfall.

The Howe waterfall:


A nice walk.
Really pleased with the weather despite the wind. I don't think it would have been quite so nice today out West .