Pentlands Circular from Flotterstone

Monday 18 July - 10:30am
This is an easy, pleasant but fairly long walk (approx 8 miles) on good paths with a few uphill sections and will take about four hours, allowing for a lunch break. As a precaution boots or sturdy walking shoes are recommended as there is a stream with stepping stones to cross.

The starting point for our next walk is the car park at Harlaw House Visitor Centre at 10.30am.  It takes almost an hour to reach the car park via the M9 to Edinburgh and exiting at Junction 2 onto M8 towards the A720, Edinburgh City Bypass.  At Hermiston Gait Roundabout, take the 3rd exit but keep left onto the A71/Edinburgh West/City Centre/Kilmarnock/West Calder. At the next roundabout  (Calder Junction) take the 3rd exit onto Calder Road, A71. Follow signs for Heriot Watt University and then follow Riccarton Mains Road to the T junction with A70, Lanark Road.  Turn left, then immediately right onto Kirkgate.  At top of Kirkgate (0.8ml), turn right onto Harlaw Road (Harlaw House Visitor Centre is signposted, 1 mile from here), after one mile turn left to car park (about half a mile)  This road is opposite a farm but the final signpost is not visible from Harlaw Road.

The visitor centre does not open until 11am but Riccarton Garden Centre, on the right hand side of Riccarton Mains Road on the way up, will be open, if coffee or toilets are required.  Please bring a packed lunch and drinks.

If you intend to come on the walk, please reply to Maureen, maureenmitchell123@btinternet.com.  If you would like to come but do not want to drive there, let her know as car sharing will be arranged.