A Bing, an (ex)golf course and a view of a modern marvel

22 June 2018

 

Participants: Neil and Ben

Where: Tarbrax Bing, 327m/1,073', P 47m, TuMP, OS 65, NT 021559, Warklaw Hill, 278m/912', P44, TuMP, OS 65, NT 199 674 and Castland Hill, 85m/279', P52, TuMP, OS 65, NT 118 827

 

The hot sunshine had returned. Family business in Edinburgh called, I had not yet travelled across the new Queensferry Crossing so I decided on a round trip taking in Tarbrax Bing, a minor Pentlands hill and a viewpoint on the north side of the Forth, coming back over the Kincardine Bridge.

 

No, this is not Ayres Rock, it's Tarbrax Bing......

 

The approach.....

 

These former spoil heaps usually stand in flat country so provide excellent view points and this one was no exception. There have been attempts at landscaping round about but it doesn't seem to have got very far. Still, when the vegetation fully grows in it will provide a very pleasant walk. The view north to Cobbinshaw reservoir.....

 

 

The Pentland Hills.....

 

 

Tinto in the distance.....

 

 

The flat lands to the west.....

 

 

I then drove into Edinburgh and made my way the top of  Torphin Road where there is space to park cars. I occasionally used to play golf at Torphin when I stayed in Edinburgh but the course has now gone. I recall it as being very hilly but a great course for views of the City. Today, we followed a Right of Way along the north face of a former quarry before striking up the hill. After the summit, we carried on down part of the old golf course before re-joining Torphin Road and the walk back to the car.

 

A couple of views over the City.....

Ben at the summit.....

Edinburgh and the Lomond Hills in Fife from the summit.....
 

 

I had been meaning to drive over the new Forth Crossing for a while and it didn't disappoint. What a magnificent piece of engineering! Only thing is that the higher side barriers mean that you don't get a view when actually on it. However the engineers say that the barriers mean that the bridge will not have to be shut in very strong winds. We shall see! I must say that the extra crossing hasn't had much effect on the traffic; even at 3.30 in the afternoon I still had to crawl the last mile to get on to the bridge.

 

Castland Hill in Rosyth looked as though it would provide a good viewpoint for the bridge and it did.....

The summit itself seemed to be in a fenced off Water Board enclosure although the ground inside did look as though it was all man made. The outside of the enclosure was fine by me and that's where I got the best pictures. This is a shot of the crowded summit area.....