The Moorfoot Hills

(29/03.2009)Blackhope Scar: Ascent 651m/2136ft) 4 hours walking: 4 hours,30mile,48km cycle 

Started the day from Musselburgh following the NCN 1. Took the traffic free cycle path along by the River Esk to Whitecraig, Dalkeith, the B road down Carringinton and then onto Temple. From here I cycled down the quiet country road to Gladhouse reservoir then to mauldslie farm and Huntly cottage. The walk began following the path through various fields. Instead of following the path around to the castle ruin I traversed up the path by the forest then through the heather, up over Huntly Cot hills and over the Kipps. From here I walked down then followed the fence west, south east then west up to the trig summit. The ground was very boggy and hard to walk in and there were patches of snow and ice at the summit. Descended by following the fence back but then traversed around the scree slopes at New Moss instead of following the path down. I came back to my start point which was the path just up from the small forest. Cycled back the same way in sunny, warm weather.

Road to the Moorfoot Hills

Gladhouse Reservoir

On the track to the Moorfoot Hills

Over the Kipps

The view back North to the Pentland Hills

Looking back to Gladhouse Reservoir

The fence line to the summit

View West to Bowbeat wind farm

Blackhope Scar summit

Me at the summit

View South West from the summit

View South East from the summit

Summit trig view East to the Lammermuir Hills

Heading back North

Descending around the slopes at New Moss

Castle ruin

Back on the bike