Castlelaw Hill (Pentlands)

 28 July 2023

Where: Castlelaw Hill, 488m/1,601', P 81m, Tump, OS 66, NT 224 647

The only hill in the most popular area of the Pentland range that I had not previously climbed. I parked at Castlelaw which gained me some height. It is also the car park for Castlelaw Fort and its Souterrain which I had a look at when I had finished my walk. Castlelaw Hill from close to the start.....

Looking to Turnhouse Hill and Glencorse reservoir.....

It was a nice clear day after early rain. This is the view south to the hills north of  Peebles from the track.....

Caerketton from the track.....

The track wound up the east side of the hill and then turned sharply in a west/south-west direction and steepened considerably. The steep part was relatively short and I was soon at the summit which had a number of flag poles and other stuff on it.....

It was a fine viewpoint for the hills surrounding Glencorse reserve and further west Loganlea reservoir- Turnhouse Hill, Carnethy Hill, Scald Law, The Kips, Black Hill, Bell's Hill with East and West Cairn Hills in the distance.....

Looking south from the summit.....

Allermuir Hill and Caerketton Hill from just below the summit on the way back.....

The extensive Castlelaw was well seen from the track on the way back. It consists of three concentric rings of ramparts and ditches surrounding a low foothill and was home to an Iron Age community for some centuries. An earth house was built into the middle ditch and consists of a passageway and a chamber. It was probably used for storage purposes. Really interesting.....

Scurr Hill (Balmerino)

 21 July 2023

Where: Scurr Hill, 104m/341', P 43m, Tump, OS 54/59, OS 368 251

July is never a good hill walking month for me, there is usually a lot of humid weather which doesn't suit me and this July was no different. However today was nice, cool with only a small chance of a shower so I decided to bag another hill on my list- Scurr Hill at Balmerino on the south side of the Tay more or less opposite Dundee, seen here from the west.....

I parked at the ruined Balmerino Abbey and walked down to the shore path, following it east until I found a rough path heading up the hill (just before leaving the forest area). Looking up the river from the shore path.....

Being mid- summer, the vegetation was high and the views across the river from the path were only fleeting.....

The hillside was all thick grass, bushes and nettles (another reason not to climb hills in summer) so I was pleased to see that the path up the hill was distinct.....

Looking back down the path to the river and across to Dundee.....

Once on the ridge, there were a number of paths to choose from and the trees were well spaced. The summit was a bit indistinct but I reckoned that it was beside some boulders. It was also right at the edge of the trees and there was a great view west up the river.....

I returned by the same route and back at the car had a look at the ruined Abbey which was a bit unkempt.....

An excellent day out.