Edinburgh Hills Part 2- Blackford Hill and Braid Hills

6 May 2018

 

Participants: Just me

Where: Blackford Hill, 164m/538', P63, TuMP, OS 66, NT 254 706 and Braid Hills, 213m/699', P51, TuMP, NT 250 694

 

In over 30 years living in Edinburgh, I had never visited Blackford Hill; neither had I been at the summit of Braid Hills although I had hacked about on the Braids golf course on a number of occasions. So now I was taking the train through to Edinburgh to put that right. I took the bus from Waverley to Comiston and started the walk on Blackford Hill, seen here from the slopes of Braid Hills.....

If anyone is in any doubt about what a magnificent city Edinburgh is, all they need to do is visit, on a clear day, any one of the 10 TuMPS within the city boundary- apart from Corstorphine Hill which is tree covered. Blackford Hill is as good as any of the others, perhaps better as it does not attract the vast crowds that flock to the summit of Arthur's Seat. It is perhaps best known for being the site of the Royal Observatory. There is also a communications mast near the summit which fortunately does not obscure the views.

It was one of the hottest days of the year so far and the distant views were a bit hazy but, hey, you can't have perfection all of the time. This is the view round the northern arc.  Arthur's Seat and Salisbury Crags.....

Edinburgh Castle.....
 

 

Corstorphine Hill.....
 

 

and a panorama of all three.....
 

 

The trig with Arthur's Seat beyond.....
 

 

Looking down the Forth estuary with North Berwick Law on the horizon.....

another view of west Edinburgh and Corstorphine Hill.....

two TuMPS still to do, Wester and Easter Craiglockhart Hills (centre).....

The Pentland Hills with Braid Hills in the foreground.....

After drinking in the views for a bit, I set off for Braid Hills, taking in part of the Hermitage of Braid on the way. There was a strong smell of coconut in the air as the broom was now fully out. It is extensive on these two hills and I remember investigating it more thoroughly years ago on Braids golf course! A footbridge across the Braid burn took me to Braids Road from where it was only a short walk to the golf club house and the walkers way on to the hill. There is a fairly extensive area of ground between the two golf courses, including the highest point, that is set aside for public use other than golf and a number of paths wound uphill to the masts which sit on the summit......

The highest point seems to be on a tee for a practice area.....

There is a trig and a viewpoint a few hundred yards to the west. Arthur's Seat with Blackford Hill in front of it......

the Pentland Hills with the ski slope prominent.....

looking west, you can just make out the spans of the Queensferry crossing.....

So six more hills to visit to complete my Edinburgh set. I've been to some of them before but they deserve a revisit. Outwith the main tourist season of course.