This relatively easy walk is an adventure as it climbs and crosses the high and remote moors of the Pentland Hills to the southwest of Edinburgh. Highlights of the adventure include walking in the footsteps of history and experiencing the delightful changing scenery and spectacular views.
The walk follows the Cross Borders Drove Road northward from West Linton in the Scottish Borders, over the Pentland Hills at the historic Cauldstane Slap pass, and down into West Lothian.
The Cauldstane Slap pass lies between the two highest hills in the Pentland Hills range, which are East Cairn Hill (567 m, 1860 ft) and West Cairn Hill (562 m, 1844 ft). The height of the pass is 441 m (1447 ft).
The Cross Borders Drove Road is one of Scotland’s Great Trails and is full of history. For almost 200 years small black Highland cattle were driven on this road through Cauldstane Slap to English markets. Robbers and cattle thieves used to lurk in the grasses and heather in those days, giving the route a sinister nickname of “The Thieves Road”.
The path from West Linton up to Cauldstane Slap is splendid with fine panoramic views over green rolling hills, heather and grasses. The path is rough and rocky in places, and grassy and smooth elsewhere. There are a few narrow burns to jump as you head uphill. The terrain becomes mostly heather as Cauldstane Slap is approached.
At the pass summit there is an interesting sign that notes that Victorians must have been very fit as they used to walk the route from Mid Calder to West Linton through the pass on day trips!
Just past Cauldstane Slap and as the path starts to descend, superb views appear northward to Edinburgh (including Arthur’s Seat), and to the Firth of Forth and beyond.
The descent to the right of Harperrig Reservoir has a clear path but contains a few boggy sections to be aware of. Looking back as you approach the A70 located 2.5 miles beyond Cauldstane Slap you are struck by the beauty and remoteness of the Pentland Hills and you feel inspired having walked in the footsteps of history.