Pentland Hills- Cock Rig and Lead Law

 21 September 2022

Participants: Just me

Where: Cock Rig, 355m/1,165', P51m, Tump, OS 65/72. NT 146 541 and Lead Law, 347m/1,138', P 45m, Tump, OS 65/72, NT 146 530

These are two of the less well known of the main Pentland Hills. I parked beside the park in West Linton, walked through the village, crossed the A702 and walked up the lane between houses; this carried on as a public right of way to Carlops following the line of firstly a Roman road and then a drove road. I decided to climb Cock Rig first. From the track looking to Mount Maw with the much smaller Cock Rig in front of it, framed by trees on this side.....

The high point was in a field but here I encountered one of my pet hates, frisky cows. I decided therefore to see if there was a route through the trees, surprisingly, there was. This brought me out into a higher field separated from the herd by a fence so I was able to reach the top without hindrance. There was a steep descent to the north and Mount Maw, not seen from here and from the high point, a view of the eastern more popular hills.....

I returned the same way and made my way back towards Lead Law by the track. There was an excellent view of Mendick Hill in the distance (the slopes of Lead Law are on the left).....

and of King Seat and Byrehope Mount - both still to do- to the north 

and of Lead Law ahead.....

The ascent of Lead Law was through another field, empty of animals on this occasion, over a fence at the top, and through some well spaced trees. On the way up there was another view of King Seat and Byrehope Mount and the hills around Biggar to the west.....

But the high point itself had no view.....

This was another enjoyable walk in a much less populated area of the Pentlands. I will be back for the bigger hills in the area.