Silverburn Scamper

So a question came up recently, "How do you keep running interesting?". Couple of answers: run different routes; run off-road in the great outdoors. Today I'm setting off to run a route in the Pentland Hills (off-road, natch) which I haven't done since June 2012, and its a beauty. Conditions are fair, a little cool, good, small chance of rain, good, but there is a strong wind coming from the west, less good. I'm parked up on the A702 near Silverburn and the start today is through a gate onto the Kirk Road across (usually) boggy ground. We've had buckets of rain recently so I am expecting some moisture here, but surprisingly its mostly dry. Someone has laid stones over the almost-always soaking-wet patch after the kissing gate.

The start. through the kissing gate onto the Kirk Road ...

... and what's this here, new stones over the "wet patch".

There's a stream running through the field here, first decision of the day, splash through or hop over the stones? Most times I've been here the feet are already wet so its splash through, today feet are dry so time to hop. Lovely running over the soft grass up to Charlie's Loup and gate #2. I'm on the route of the Carnethy 5 here, for a short while. The stoney Kirk Road continues up to the bealach between Scald Law and Carnethy Hill, the route turns left through the heather and bracken to gate #3, over the stream and back up again on hard to find (easy to lose) tracks through more heather and bracken.

Splash through or hop over the stones on the left?

Lovely soft grass running up to the gate at Charlie's Loup

The Kirk Road continues up to the pass high above ...

... the route dives down through heather and bracken ...

... to gate number three ...

... over the stream and what goes down must go up.

I lose the path at a patch of high bracken and then "enjoy" high-knee-raise exercises through the heather for a while. Somewhere about here the Carnethy racers might make a sharp right to climb Scald Law. Its a steep climb on a narrow path through the heather, its the "walking section" for almost everyone. I'll be up Scald Law later, but for now I'm going to continue along this most-excellent-not footpath (hoping to find it soon!) and traverse to the foot of South Black Hill. Yay! I find the good(ish) footpath! Just a quick glance behind me at the scree slope on Carnethy Hill, mmm, might be tempted to divert there for a bit of a scree ski a bit later today. Anyway, soon some gorgeous going downhill (yay!) on a smooth grassy patch past the old Silverburn Quarry, which these days is used as a clay pigeon shooting venue (great fun, try it!).

Losing the path here in the bracken ...

... sharp right for the Carnethy races somewhere near but not exactly here!

Tempted by the scree slopes on Carnethy Hill

Gorgeous going down the grassy slope beside ...

... the old quarry, now used for clay pigeon shooting.

I'm approaching the foot of South Black Hill now where the main climbing section of the day will commence. Small hiccup with the electronics preparation arrangements, the camera is telling me its out of charge. Ho-hum, I'll just have to use the rubbish camera in my cheapo mobile phone, much lower quality pictures from here, and much more pfaff time. So, somewhat less crisply than expected, before me stands South Black Hill. In the next kilometre I have about 300 metres of ascent, a short section on a rough stoney farm track and then right onto another not-so-easy to find path, which at first I fail to find, more high-knee-raise exercises and then once more happy to stumble onto the path. Its unrelentingly steep, gasp, huff, rasp, puff, but I enjoy the sight of Carnethy Hill over Grain Hill (wee daughter of Scald Law). Its a great feeling, the anticipation of being there, but first I must haul my fat carcass up to the top here, huff, gasp, puff, rasp ...

South Black Hill before me ...

... but where is the footpath ...

... footpath found and unrelenting steep ...

... but super views of Carnethy Hill looking over Grain Hill.

Oh joy of joys the stone shelter at the summit comes into sight, I am there, and time for a short stop to drink some diluted fruit juice. I see a large group of walkers approaching from the direction of the Kips. Turns out to be a busy day in the hills today (all good). The next summit, Scald Law, is ahead to my right and some straightforward running over soft wet ground, I'm going to really enjoy this section.

Then at last the stone shelter at the summit appears :-)

The next summit, Scald Law, not far away ...

... and good, sometimes wet, running ground.

The flattish part ends and the steeepish part starts, there are a couple of mountain bikers carrying up here (rubbishness of phone camera evident now), and they reach the summit plateau before me. I'm just happy to plod past the trig point and contemplate the next summit today, Carnethy Hill ahead. There's a steep frantic descent to the next bealach so the cameraphone needs to be stowed - I made it to the bottom before the mountain bikers! Lots of scouts with huge backpacks at the bealach (been there, done that, decades ago now) and the mountain bikers head down the Kirk Road toward the car park near Silverburn. I'm heading up Carnethy Hill and a nice flattish easily runnable part on very soft (often soggy) ground at first. Too soon I reach the steep part, a quick glance behind at the ground just covered (I'm now getting deep into the "gosh I was there just a few minutes ago" territory), then huff, gasp, puff, rasp to the stone shelters at the summit.

The steepish part starts and a mountain biker is carrying ahead of me ...

... mountain biker reaches the summit plateau before me. 

I'm just happy to plod past the trig point before another rmanic descent.

Next ascent toward Carnethy Hill, at first easy going.

Looking back toward Scald Law ....

... before the next huff, gasp, puff, rasp ...

... to reach the stone shelters at the summit.

So here I am on top of Carnethy Hill, remembering looking at the scree slope, and remembering big fun going down there many times in the past, and wondering what to do now. Sharp right and down the scree, or another manic descent to the next bealach, and then right onto a lovely little traversing and descending path to the boggy field near the car park, or instead from the bealach up to the top of Turnhouse Hill, one more summit. I think I'll just head up to one more summit. Its the manic descent that swayed me, so time to stow the cameraphone and again squeal with joy like a child. There is no flattish section between these two peaks, its just a case of steep down and then steep up again. Short pause at the gate to provide some nav help to a couple of confused walkers. The wind has got very strong, its making movement a bit difficult, but at least its a little bit to my back. Short pause to glance behind at Carnethy Hill and savour a bit more of the "I was there" feelings, then the last haul up to the cairn at the summit.

I'll just head up one more summit ...

... no flattish part, just steepish down and steepish up ...

... enjoying a short pause to glance back at Carnethy Hill ...

... and then the summit cairn on Turnhouse Hill.

The wind has become a bit of an issue now, the haul up here was difficult, I really want to get out of this wind. Decisions, decisions, bomb down the steep in the lee and try to pick up a path back toward the car park, or back-track down Turnhouse and follow the cute path traversing and descending underneath Carnethy. So a bit of a recce, the only clear paths in the lee lead back up to the bealach, may as well run back there along the ridge as fast as I can, and off goes me. Running fast on the stoney ground here turns out to be a bit tricky, not so much because of the stones, I've galloped over these so many times, but its the wind, now to my face my eyes are watering and I just can't see what my feet are doing. Well, anyway, I only tripped once, nothing to write home about, and soon the bealach is reached and happiness the wee track once more entices the old plodder. This is about as good as it gets from my point of view, and a quick look back over to Turnhouse Hill is rewarding (I was there ... feelings again). I'm in the lee, there is now no wind, there is some good sunshine, and I'm sweating buckets, most excellent! Soon crossing a stile and smiling to myself at a most informative signpost (not!). Anyway great running over soft grass back to the not-so-boggy-today field.

The enticing path down from the bealach ...

... doesn't get much better than this for me!

Good to glance back to Turnhouse Hill

Not the most informative sign ...

... but the well signed FOOTPATH is some very lovely running!

Remember the stream? Hopped over the stones earlier today, splish-splash-splosh through this time to cool hot feet and more good fun splashing through the muddy puddles back to the kissing gate. Checked the travel mug in the car, still half full of coffee, still just a little bit warm and much enjoyed. Good run today, although the ascent on South Black Hill was a real drain, just a shade under 10km, about 530m of ascent, and on the go for approx 1:45. Still got a lot of work to do on the hill-fitness here, but happy as a sand-boy be able to get up there anyway.

Enjoy!

Monks Rig to the Kips

Yesterday, Friday, the rains started mid-afternoon. Tomorrow, Sunday, the remnants of Hurricane Bertha are due to bring severe weather. Today, the forecast is good, and luckily I have a few hours free early afternoon. Three years ago the family set off on a Sunday afternoon walk from Nine Mile Burn, up along the Monks Rig into the hills. I think I have not been here since then, which is a shame because its a super little route, so here I go ...

The short drive from Edinburgh along the A702 to Nine Mile Burn has been a bit less than enchanting, the weather is definitely not living up to the forecast, and there have been a couple of heavy showers. Oh well, fingers crossed, and parked by the pretty row of cottages the effort begins with a kissing gate ... gates and stiles are going to be features of the run today.

Parked outside the pretty cottages at Nine Mile Burn ...

... it starts through the kissing gate.

The target summits look so far away at the moment, but the soft grassy terrain is a pleasure to run over. This is farming land, walls and fences, and stiles, lots of stiles. I hope you enjoy photographs of stiles, you can find a small selection below. Anyway, what's this name "Monks Rig" all about? Well it seems this was long ago an important route through the Pentland Hills used by monks, known as the Monks Road. There's a small site of historical interest along the way, and I'll be there soon. To my right is a small bump called Scroggy Hill, and ahead the climb is not steep but feels unrelenting as I ascend toward Cap Law.

The target hills for today seem so far away ...

... but you don't get much better terrain than I have here.

Too many stiles ..

... endless stiles ...

Scroggy Hill, ha-ha, funny name?!

The route ahead up to Cap Law.

I reach the small site of historical interest, the font stone, which apparently was the base for a cross (those monks, you see). There is a bit of a tradition of dropping coins in the hollow, but today I forgot to bring a penny with me. Then some young walkers take a photograph. The going now is a bit more level, good running although a bit wet in places. Soon the peaky summit of West Kip appears over the horizon.

The font stone, I should have remembered to bring a penny ...

... so I stand penniless :-)

The going is easier now, really nice running ...

... although a bit wet in places.

The peaky summit of West Kip just came into view.

I enjoy an easy climb over Cap Law and then a short descent toward the base of West Kip, fully revealed before me. When I pass the cross-paths (yet another stile!!) just a moment to chat with a walking couple. The chap asks me if I am going to run up there, which is a fair question, it is very steep. I have to apologise, its too steep for me, I've not been well, I've not been able to train much over the last nine or so months. I'll run a bit of the steep, for entertainment, and walk the rest. Now here goes my heart rate, gulp, max and some, better have a little but of a sit down and a blush until this calms down. There is a family climbing here, mum, dad and three wee nippers and they are going great, so good to see the little ones enjoying the great outdoors ... well done mum and dad! The path levels a little on approach to the summit and becomes more technical, rocky, time to run some more, and then at the top a short stop for the views all around me, filling me with happiness and memories.

West Kip revealed in its terrible steepness .. but oh the views from the top ...

Down to little Braid Law, maybe later today ...

... to the South and the clouds are breaking up, yay ...

... over Hare Hill and Black Hill ...

... and the route ahead over East Kip, lots of folk up here today.

There are plenty of folk up here today, all ages, its great. I am remembering the last time I stood here, April Fools Day of last year, was also Easter Monday, early morning. The dawn light, the colours, the snow, and not a soul to be seen, it was special, sublime. What a complete contrast today, and you know what, that is part of what I love about running in these places, beats the pants off of running along the same old streets any day in my book! Now a steep descent from the summit of West Kip to the saddle between the Kips. Ahead of me one little chap is running so fast, he is brave, and behind me two more little ones are running down shouting and laughing and happy. I have a huge grin on my face, and think to myself, here's another part of the joy of running in these places. I'm quickly over East Kip, a couple of runners descending pass me as I ascend, breathy hello-s exchanged, and another steep descent to another saddle and another cross-paths (no stile this time, yippee). Before me here the main path up to Scald Law and I smile as I remember running down there in thigh deep snow drifts. I am not going that way today, instead I turn right and soon make a traverse across rough ground, chances are I'll find some scraps of sheep tracks to help me through the heather. I aim to join a rarely used hill farm track (not marked on the maps) at the edge of Kips Wood. Nav was bang on, and the overgrown ATV tracks take me up through beautiful bracken.

The kids running down West Kip are squealing with delight.

Another steep descent from the summit of East Kip

Sheep tracks help me through blooming heather on the off-trail traverse ...

... and overgrown ATV tracks lead me back up through the bracken.

To my left I look over to little Braid Law, I've already decided to add this one to the intinerary today. To my right I look up toward West Kip and little paths unknown to me, the delicious anticipation of future exploration. A small section of descent toward the old drover's road, passing a surprising number of blooming foxgloves. On the ridge of Monks Rig above and ahead I can see the pair of runners from East Kip, just a couple of dots in the photograph (zoom).

To the left looking over little Braid Law, I'm going there now.

To the right back up to West Kip and new-to-me paths are discovered.

Blooming Foxgloves!

Two runners passed at East Kip, now dots on Monks Rig.

The track leads uphill back to the cross-paths at the base of West Kip, and I take a moment to hum-haw about the route from here. Two options: more descent and then ascent across the fields, I can see the fence lines and gates to use, there are only sheep, no cattle with calves to worry about; or up the stoney track and then a sharp left turn onto the boggy path below the Cap Law Plantation. Okay, so, stoney track, not so good, boggy path, excellent! Just think about the boggy path. The wind is so strong now and in my face, hard work on the stoney track back uphill. Surprise, I meet the group of young walkers who were at the font stone earlier this afternoon, and rest a little as we chat for a moment.

Back uphill on the stoney old drovers road, and lots of blue sky!

My resistance training run up the horrible stoney track is rewarded as I make left to the boggy path. Well, to be fair, the stoney track is just fine for walking and cycling. Anyway the boggy part is soon delivered and some welcome foot-coolant is enjoyed. I realise there's a short segment ahead where I've not been before, and at the end of the boggy path a very old sign points me in the right direction. Alas, its another stoney track ascending with strong head wind.

Relief as I turn onto the boggy path ...

... and the foot coolant is soon delivered.

Here's your sign ...

... and its another stoney path with strong headwind!

So ankle-twisting resistance-training number two out of the way I make left across the soft earth to summit little Braid Law. I've been here once before and I know there is a fine descent on rough ground ahead of me. The wind seems to be stronger but at least its only to my cheek, blowing in the prevalent direction from the west. The trees here have adapted to the usual course of the wind. Quick glance over my shoulder toward the Kips behind me and the usual sensation of surprise and satisfaction because "I was there" less than half an hour ago. Now the descent starts and its as rough as I expected through the bracken, but my nav-fu which has been working so well fails me for a moment. I was seduced by a sheep track through the bracken, and then a break to the left and scramble down over Quarrel Burn. Now I'm marooned in a morass of marsh, all tussocks and bogs, hardly runnable terrain here.

The trees here have adapted to the prevailing winds.

Looking back over the Kips, a moment of pure pleasure.

The descent through bracken is a bit on the rough side ...

... and then it gets worse for a short while.

Decisions, decisions ... I can see the line of the easy footpath above me, it crosses a fence (more stile time is soon upon me) and through a gap in the wall ... I can see the stile and the gap. Hike to the path or hike to the stile? I choose the stile and soon on easier and familiar footpath back toward Nine Mile Burn. There's a little bit of up and down, and a slither through a marshy muddy section. Well, I say muddy, there was something else in the mud there, and my studs are a bit smelly now. Ladies and Gentlemen, its time to play a favourite game, its time for "Name That Mud" (acknowledge Askwith here). I name this mud "sheephoofed" (groan!). After the slither a brief self-reward with a glance back to Braid Law, and in a jiffy I reach a finger-post lodged in short-term memory. I was here an hour or so ago, in the other direction, and made left up to the Monks Rig. Now, another stile (I've lost count! ... and more to come!!) ... a couple of minutes and Nine Mile Burn comes into view. Met a couple of mountain bikers at the next stile, decent of them to give way to me. Fast descent over the gentle grass and a welcome ending back at the kissing gate. Parched, drank an ocean of diluted fruit juice!

Yay! The easier familiar footpath is reached.

Rewarded with a glance back to Braid Law, and oh me of my the skyscape.

I remember this finger post, I turned here, up to the Monks Rig an hour or so ago.

Nine Mile Burn comes into sight, a fast run to the end, back at the kissing gate.

Lovely lovely excursion today and so lucky with the weather. More running than I'd expected, more walking than I'd wanted, but I'm out of training, I'm not really hill-fit at the moment, so I'll take that with a big smile. Just about 10km dead of distance and 450m total ascent, on the go for 1:26:47. Time for the back home, and get a bbq cooking for the family ... happy days.

Enjoy!