Pentlands trip for Our Lady of Lourdes club
Staying on right path
Our Lady of Lourdes Hiking Club members took to the gently rolling hills of the Pentlands for one of their most recent outings.
After a brief stop at Abington Services for a quick refreshment, the coach carried on to drop off high-level walkers at Carlops, then the low-level hikers a mile or two further on at the curiously-named Nine Mile Burn.
The walk at low level headed north then around Cap Law and on to achieve the highest point of the day, Hare Hill, at 449 metres.
Additional interest in this pleasant walk included Loganlea reservoir with its fish farm and Glencorse reservoir.
Reaching the latter reservoir, a prudent right turn avoided starting into the area of the map ominously labelled in red ‘Danger Area – Ranges’ where the army is liable to be practicing.
Indeed, hikers have tales of being spooked on a previous occasion by camouflaged soldiers popping up in the hills where members were walking.
The high-level walk took in the tops from Patties Hill northwards up to Green Law before taking an north-easterly direction.
Hills including Scald Law (575m) were climbed on the way to the final ascent, Turnhouse Hill, before descending to the ranger centre and the Flotterstone Inn just outside Penicuik, Midlothian with the low-level walkers arriving shortly afterwards.
After a social hour relaxing, enjoying coffees and beers at the inn, the hikers headed home thanking their lucky stars the weather had been amazingly kind to them for the time of year.
While the coach is regularly quite busy, the club still welcomes new members or visitors who want to give hikes a try.
Call (01355) 222464 and visit www.ololhikingclub.co.uk for the walks calendar and more information.