Hotels near Pentland Hills Regional Park and Harlaw Reservoir

Pentland Hills Regional Park starts about eight miles southwest of central Edinburgh and covers 100 square kilometres of moorland, reservoirs and hill paths. Harlaw Reservoir above Balerno is the simplest way in: a flat circuit of roughly 3 kilometres around the water, edged with dense woodland, with Threipmuir Reservoir a short walk further on. In October the gorse and bracken on the slopes run rust and gold, and the water holds the reflection on still mornings.

This is proper hill country rather than a city park. Weather changes fast, paths turn to mud, and phone signal drops in places, so waterproof boots are not optional. Stronger walkers can continue to Scald Law, at 579 metres the highest of the Pentland Hills, which runs around five hours return from Balerno.

Pro Tip: Take Lothian Buses route 44 to the Balerno terminus and walk up Harlaw Road, about 30 minutes to the reservoir car park. Check the last bus back before you set out, because by late October the light is gone before 5pm and the road down is unlit.