With the partial lifting of the Coronavirus rules I was able to get out to check the routes for my local guide.  I have been walking in the Pentland Hills (the narrow range extending south from the edge of the city) for many years (see bottom left), and it is one of my favourite walking areas in Scotland: a linked network of paths climbing the low (but high enough for a sense of achievement) peaks and criss-crossing the range, plus the quiet access road from Flotterstone, past the reservoirs in the middle of the range, joining with the path which runs through Green Cleugh and on down to Threipmuir.  The paths are usually quieter than I expect – given their proximity to Edinburgh – but locals seemed to be using them to keep fit during lockdown, and I have seldom seen them as busy.

There were no significant changes required.  The paths have been established, and signposted, for a very long time, and if anything they are clearer now than ever.  If you are looking for a sense of isolation, head for the more southerly hill crossings – The Bore Stane and Cauldstane Slap – where you are more likely to have the path to yourself.

Elsewhere, it was a particular pleasure to revisit the path from South Queensferry, under the Forth Rail Bridge, and on along the Forth to the River Almond (passing Dalmeny House along the way), and the walk up the wooded valley of the North Esk from Rosslyn Chapel.  No major changes were needed in the book, and it was a pleasure to see so many people out relieving the pressures of 2020/21 on their local paths.

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