The Dog Rambler

Tuesday

13 E-diary
April 2010

Walk Over the hills from Swanston to Length 6 miles

Boghall, The Pentlands
Dogs on walk Finn, Otis, Struan, Talaidh

Back onto the hills for today’s ramble. In changeable weather conditions I took the
precaution taking my waterproof in addition to a jumper and also gloves. Quite a contrast
from yesterday when only a tee-shirt was needed.

We set out from the car park at Swanston with the wind at our backs blowing in from the
north. It was this that was cause for the need for gloves. Of course the dogs were in their
usual attire, nothing save for their fur. Beyond the thatched cottages of Swanston the golf
course was busy, with golfers on all the holes near to our path. Fortunately the dogs were
preoccupied with each other so made no attempt to disrupt ant of the games.

Moving away from the golf course we began to climb toward a gate leading onto a gorse
bush lined path. But just before it, was a rather large looking and well horned Highland
Cow. At first I thought it was on our side of the fence and popped the leads on the dogs as
a precaution. I soon noticed it was on the other side, especially when it began rubbing its
head against the fence and was still facing us. The only dog to take any notice was Struan,
who did not help to ensure a calm passage by starting to bark. Finn and Otis was more
interested in the stream gurgling under the path, with is crisply clear water promising a
delicious and cool drink.

The gorse is still not in full flower, with the bushes only dappled with the vibrant yellow.
Beyond the gorse we began our climb of the first hill, Allermuir Hill. Now climbing on a
grassy path shaking ahead of us on its diagonal along around the lower slopes of the hill
before becoming a straight and more steeper ascent to the top. I should no longer be
surprised by the dogs behaviour as hills get steeper. As usual as the path got steeper and
the ground round about it became a more concentrated combination of grassy tussocks
and heather, the dogs engaged in some pretty energetic chasing. This continued as we
reached the summit (1,617 feet). By now my waterproof was tied around my waist but
the gloves were still on. The dogs had succumbed to panting but more from the chasing
than the heat of the climb.

From Allermuir we turned back on ourselves and on a path running slightly away to the
right of the original path began to make our way toward Caerketton Hill. This meant a
loss of height as we worked our way along the ridge between the two hills. The sun was
now pushing through the cloud which was beginning to fracture under the sun’s heat and
pressure. The wind was still blowing and although cool it had no real strength in it; even as
we passed through Windy Door Nick, often a funnel for the wind, increasing its intensity.

The dogs were now snuffling about in the heather or just padding along the grass and
gravel path. Finn as is his speciality kept producing sticks, with the flourish of a cabaret
magician. He would toss his head back throwing the stick in the air, at the same time
raising his front paws as if accentuating his feat. Otis just waited patiently for his
opportunity to stealthily sneak in and make off with a stick.

Climbing away from Windy Door Nick we made our final ascent onto Caerketton Hill
(1,568 feet), which as we approached was dotted with pin like people and some dogs.
However, as we neared the summit all was quiet, with no sign of anyone. Then to our left
and partially hidden by the downward slope was a family with their dog. Two of the
children exploded above the heather and set Finn off barking and running the other way.
Further off another group of people with a dog were descending a narrow path on the
northern slope of the hill. We continued over the hill and its twin summits to descend
down the eastern slopes.
Near to Hillend Ski Slope we turned away from it onto another path between gorse
bushes, signposted for Boghall. This took us alongside a linear wood running along the
hillside high above the main road. To our right where the south eastern slopes of
Caerkertton Hill. We followed the path as it made its way toward Boghall Farm getting
quite indistinct as it blended itself with the grassy slopes until a gate was reached.

Through the gate and we soon reached a farm track taking us back into the hills. And with
the farm track came a hard of sheep. Typical of the Pentland sheep they were not too
scared of dogs and with the dogs on the lead we had to press our way through them. The
sheep looked on curiously, perhaps more so at Otis, who they may have mistaken for one
of their own, and then began to follow us. We must have had at least thirty sheep
cautiously treading the path behind us.

The track led us back up the other side of Windy Door Nick and then down toward
Swanston. By now the heat had risen and the dogs were panting and very grateful for the
small streams along the path. They had also begun to run out of energy with Struan
trailing behind and the other three gathered about me.

After a short stroll beside the golf course and through the stables we were back at the car
park and the Jeep.

Nick

Photo slideshow from the walk and enter password W4lk1304

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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