A Pentland Round: Capelaw Hill, Allermuir Hill, and Caerketton Hill

19 March 2022

Participants: Just me

Where: Capelaw Hill., 454m/1,489', P 54m, Tump, OS 66, NT 216 659; Allermuir Hill, 493m/1,617', P 235m, Marilyn, NT 227 662; Caerketton Hill, 478m/1,568', P 65m, Tump, NT 235 662.

Spring had arrived in Scotland, it was a glorious day. Although I had lived in Edinburgh for 30 years, I had somewhat neglected the Pentland Hills in favour of rushing up north to do higher things. As a result, I had not even walked some of my then local hills. Capelaw Hill was one I had never visited but today was the day to put that right. I decided on a linear walk starting at Bonaly and finishing at Hillend.

It was a steep start, initially through woodland but soon out on the open hill. There were signs pointing the way to a number of destinations but on a day like today, not necessary.....

I was soon getting views behind, of Edinburgh and once I got a bit higher, of Bonaly reservoir.....

Higher still, the hills of the south Pentlands- in particular Scald Law and the Kips- came into view.....

The main track ended but was replaced by a rough path which went straight up the north slopes of Capelaw direct to the summit with its strange summit sculpture.....

View south to Castlelaw Hill; the army were out on its firing range.....

and to the Scald Law group again.....

From Capelaw, I turned east for Allermuir, again following good paths.....

It was a fairly steep climb up and I stopped on a number of occasions to take photos back to the other hills.....

Capelaw from Allermuir.....

Summit of Allermuir.....

Edinburgh from Allermuir with Arthur's Seat prominent.....

It was another good drop to the col between Allermuir and Caerketton.....

There are two possible high points, I reckon that to the west just edged it.....

Looking back to Allermuir from Caerketton.....

Edinburgh from Caerketton.....

The descent from Caerketton to the ski centre at Hillend was really steep. I had been going well up to then but I find steep descents nowadays really take it out of me. But it didn't spoil what had been a tremendous walk. And there were still more to do in the Pentlands.