Pentlands again

On a bit cloudy Sunday I am on the hills again , this time on the main Pentland's ridge , from West Kip to Carnethy Hill . So I start from the Eightmileburn on A72 , just by the bus stop to Edinburgh . Via the Eastside Farm I am going to come up on the higher ground .

I walk on a dusty farm road and  soon I can enjoy scenery typical for the countryside . The sun makes the way through the heavy clouds and I am in a good spirit .

Having left the farm on the right-hand side , I join the path running from Ninemileburn and I am traversing the hill with a group of trees . Larches and pines look dramatically , bent down by the pounding wind , but they perch anyway , relentlessly.

I am getting on the pass , where is the crossroad . The hill looks steep but it doesn't take me long to get onto the top . Simply a couple of minutes.

I am not alone on the West Kip and even dogs like hillwalking.

      




       I continue walking mildly down , to the twin East Kip hill which is very easily assessable .

 






Looking back , to the south-west from East Kip.                                
In the deep background the long , dark outline of East Cairn is well visible .

    

From the East Kip there is only one step to the Carnethy , the path nicely traverse the slope . The highest hill in the whole Pentland's range(579 m) is marked with the grid stone on the bulky top . Without stopping , I am rushing down .

Carnethy Hill is at last a stone- throw away .

Loganlea Reservoir below separates Carnethy and Black Hills .

The next crossing - with the popular route Balerno - Penicuik .

The path to Balerno via Loganlea Reservoir .

       

I am starting the last ascent up Carnethy Hill , which takes longer and is a little bit more difficult then the hills on the route earlier . A drizzle and strong wind gave me a kick however , so as to get home quickly .

On the summit of Carnethy Hill (576 m) I find a large cairn , made of stones. Looking north ahead lie the Castlelaw Hill and Allemuir Hill , and close to the right the Turnhouse Hill .

       I take a tiny path to the east from the top of Carnethy Hill . Somewhere down between the foothill and  fields of East Lothian I should find my car .