The Dog Rambler

Tuesday

6 E-diary
April 2010

Walk Northern Trio, The Pentlands Length 6.7

miles
Dogs on walk Finn, Struan and Talaidh

The northern trio on today’s walk were Capelaw Hill, Allermuir Hill and Caerketton Hill.
We began from Bonaly and made our way up the path through the trees toward the open
moorland and the track to Bonaly Reservoir.

Our progress was slowed somewhat by a strong headwind but the ominous dark sky above
showed restraint with the threatening rain holding off. Finn full or exuberance was in and
out of the trees on the way up the track and once onto the moor he was marauding
through the heather. With the snow all but melted a sense of colour was beginning to come
through with the deepening onset of spring. The heather had been a dour unvarying brown
to black but now it was showing signs of coming to life and along with the new growth of
the various grasses a green and purple sheen is developing across the landscape.

Nearing Bonaly Reservoir a jogger with his two dogs trotting along with him came down
the path. They were large black dogs with white bibs, almost Afgan like except for their
colour and their hair not being as long. Beyond the reservoir the wind became stronger but
worse was to come as we climbed higher. The sheep were clustering together not far from
the path low down on the northern slopes to give themselves some shelter from the wind.
The dogs however showed no interest, Finn was still nose first in the heather as if herding
whatever small creatures were in it.

Not until we started to climb Capelaw Hill did the dogs begin to run around more. First
they set off up the path soon leaving me far behind and I’m sure it wasn’t just because the
slope and wind had slowed me down. Once they had waited quite patiently for me to
catch up they were off again but this time chasing about roving over the hillside and being
drawn into the patches of snow where they leapt about like puppies.

Nearing the top of Capelaw Hill the wind strengthened from the side and blew all of us off
the path until we steadied ourselves and progressed leaning drunkenly sideways. Once
more the dogs were off at a sprint down the far side of the hill, waiting for me at the
bottom near the waterlogged gate. This meant that we had to climb over the stile, which
after some encouragement they clambered over, Finn and Struan at the same time and
Talaidh following up at the rear with Finn popping his head back over to see what was
taking so long.

We now climbed up Allermuir Hill, which being higher than Capelaw was more exposed to
the wind and had the dogs straining forward into it. It was a struggle for me to hold to
the gate open on top of the hill for the dogs to get through. Strangely as we descended
Allermuir, steering our way toward Caerkertton Hill, the wind suddenly dropped. Even
when we reached Windy Door Nick, renowned for its howling wind, the weather was no
more than blustery. Finn’s continued snuffling in the heather was paying dividends as he
kept coming up with sticks of heather stems. This attracted Sruan’s attention and led to
more chasing about ending in Struan tumbling over legs in the air as he rolled 360
degrees.

Over Caerkertton Hill we rounded the northern slopes and headed westerly over the top of
Hillend Ski Slope. We kept as much height was we could, staying well above the golf course
below. This meant that we did not have to regain height nearing the northern side of
Allermuir, where we intended to drop to Hare Burn and round the slopes to Green Craig
Cistern. Above Hare Burn we left the grassy path and made our way down through thicker
grass with no path to follow until reaching a track below that crosses the burn. The dogs
plummeted down the slope, hurdling the larger clumps of grass.

Climbing away from Hare Burn on a wide grass path through gorse bushes, sprinkled with
yellow, and crossing the shoulder of the rise we came to another stile. This stile had just
one plank as the step over the fence and none of the dogs fancied it. Once again, as on
Friday, I had to lift them. Awkward as ever they wriggled and kicked as I picked them up,
even thought they had no intention of climbing over under their own steam. Five sheep on
the other side looked on bewildered.

Over the stile and the dogs having regained their composure and pride we made our way
down a diagonal path on the grass slopes to Green Craig Cistern. From here we joined the
wider track leading toward Dreghorn and then onto Bonaly through the lower, ex-MOD
fields. Finn and Struan decided they both wanted the same stick and then Talaidh
discovered a grenade! Fortunately it as a used smoke grenade.

Returning passed the back of the Scout camp we were soon walking through the country
park with the dogs now looking a bit weary and keeping close to me until some interesting
smells in the air drew them off the path. Further signs of spring were manifest in the
raspberry colour of the flowering currant trees along the boundary of the Scout camp.

A quick drink in the stream where the path crosses it and we were back at the car park
ready to some home.

Nick

Photo slideshow from the walk and enter password W4lk0604

Nick Fletcher
The Dog Rambler
9 Links Street
Musselburgh www.thedogrambler.com
East Lothian nick@thedogrambler.com
EH21 6JL t. 0131 665 8843 or 0781 551 6765

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