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.....