This is a walk of particular historical interest and is set in a beautiful - and unspoilt - natural environment.

Distance: 6 miles

Total ascent: c 450 feet.  Good paths, hill tracks and minor road.  This is an excellent walk to chase away those inevitable New Year blues.

Our 2012 programme of day walks begins in Balerno Midlothian just eight miles from the centre of Edinburgh.  We begin at Malleny House, a fine 17^th century house at the confluence of Bavelaw Burn and the Water of Leith.  Malleny with its beautiful walled garden, now in the ownership of the National Trust for Scotland, is an oasis from city life.  Four stunning Yew trees, known as the “Four Evangelists”, dominate the garden.  Originally twelve in number and known as the Apostles, they were planted in 1603 mark the union of the Scottish and English Crown.  It’s thought that the present house was built in the 1630s by Sir James Murray of Kilbaberton, Master of the King’s Works.  Later Malleny passed to Lord Clerkenston, a Lord of Session and the first Scott of Malleny. 

Our walk takes us past the ruins of Lennox Tower, built by the Duke of Lennox and connected both with Mary Queen of Scots and the Regent Morton.  We visit Currie Kirk notable for its outstanding early gravestones and climb to the heart of Pentland Hills.  We can expect some huge views, city and hills at our feet.  From Harlaw Reservoir, one of a chain of reservoirs constructed in the mid 19^th century to supply the needs of the city, we return to our starting point via Malleny Mills.

We will have tea at Ruth's Kitchen in Juniper Green.

To book a place on this walk go to our Bookings page or contact us directly.

Price £15 per person which includes afternoon tea at the end of the walk.