Walk: Carnethy Hill - Pentlands ridge & reservoirs

Midlothian | Pentland Hills | Half day walk | ★★★

[Carnethy Hill from Turnhouse Hill]

Between the summits of Turnhouse Hill and West Kip, the southern edge of the Pentland Hills takes the form of a shapely ridge. On the sunny side, the Midlothian plains stretch towards the Lammermuir and Moorfoot Hills; on the northern side, grassy slopes fall away to an intimate cleft carved by the Logan Burn. Boasting two reservoirs and just a handful of farms and cottages, this fertile valley is perhaps the most charming part of the hill range - with rolling hills blocking any hint of Edinburgh, 10 miles distant - though the tarmac surface of the route along the burn is a little tedious for walkers feet. The route below only traverses the eastern half of the ridge - but an extension using part of our Scald Law and the Kips route could be incorporated into a lengthier round.

[Loganlee Reservoir]

📌 Walk: Carnethy Hill - Pentlands ridge & reservoirs ★★★
Car park at Crawley Cottages, just off A702, 2 mi north of Penicuik, G.R.: NT 233631 ///shuttle.modest.blown

▶ 11 km / 7 mi | ▲ 490 m | ⌚ Half a day | ⬤ Moderate
Summits: Turnhouse Hill (506 m); Carnethy Hill (573 m) | Features: Loganlee Reservoir; Glencorse Reservoir
Terrain: Hill paths for higher outward route, then level tarmac for most of the return.

Route & map

Car park - Turnhouse Hill - Carnethy Hill - The Howe - Loganlea Reservoir - Glencorse Reservoir - path through The Glen - start

Route credit: Scotland Off the Beaten Track

On our visit

Wildlife: Sheep & lambs, rabbits, grasshoppers; cuckoo, skylarks, many pied & grey wagtails, thrushes, grey herons, swans.
Weather: Mist lifting mid morning to leave hazy sunshine. Very warm, with temperatures reaching mid twenties Celsius.

Chronological photo guide