Walk on the wild side
Club members enjoy two walks in Midlothian
Duncanrig Ramblers were over in Midlothian for two walks near the village of Carlops.
The High walk was a circular walk over the Pentland Hills around Carlops.
The first five miles had the bulk of the climbing up to the high point of walk East Cairn Hill (561 metres).
The second section descended from East Cairn Hill along a broad descending ridge to the Bore Stane. The Bore Stane itself is simply a natural stone marking the coll on the pass.
It is unremarkable except that it is named. However,it sits today where the council regions of Midlothian, the Borders and City of Edinburgh meet so it is currently considered to be an ancient boundary stone as well as a navigational aid.
This track at the bore stone is one of the ancient crossing points of the Pentland Hills and, if you continue northwards on the track, the route passes by Temple House and to the west of Listonshiels Farm is Temple Hill.
Both of these names refer to the Knights Templar, who owned much of the surrounding land until their suppression. But the ramblers went in the opposite direction and continued mainly down the picturesque upper North Esk Valley, passing the scenic North Esk reservoir, which was constructed in 1846 to provide water to the mills on the Esk.
Seven long graves on one of the islands in the reservoir are thought to be from the early Christian period.
The group the descended down into Carlops and to the waiting coach.
The Alternate walk also started at Carlops and followed the line of the North Esk River and Valley for just over three miles.
The highlight of the route through the river valley is the ravine area of Habbie’s Howe which is part of the old Newhall estate with its origins dating back to a Monastic House in the 13th Century.
The beauty of this area has been captured in prose and verse in an18th Century publication “The Gentle Shepherd”, written by Alan Ramsey – a verse of which is carved into the rocks.
After crossing A702, the walkers followed farm tracks uphill and a minor road to Nine Mile Burn.
From there, the ramblers followed a hill path to Quarrel Burn reservoir which was apparently an old quarry that was seen as suitable for conversion into a supplementary reservoir for suppling water to the Edinburgh area.
Once past the reservoir, the walkers followed LRT under Black Hill to the disused Siverburn Quarry.
After passing by the quarry, the route passed over the Grain Burn.
From here, the walkers followed the track downhill back to the main road and the waiting coach.
The group then enjoyed their social break at Glencorse.
The next book-on was from Monday for two walks in Fife this Sunday and visitors are welcome.
Visit www.duncanrig.com for details on all the club activities.