Instantly recognisable to many in Scotland’s outdoor community, Hugo and Spencer (aka the Edinburgh Spaniels) can usually be found roaming around Scotland’s hills with their owner Hollie Jenkins.
The trio achieved the impressive feat of bagging all 282 of Scotland’s Munros in less than two years, completing the adventure in June of this year. They now spend time hiking and trail running in some of Scotland’s most scenic spots. We are delighted to be working alongside Hollie in Best of Scotland, where she will share some of her favourite walking and running routes from across the country.
“I want to be a friendly voice in the outdoors community,” she explains, “where I can give people advice based on my experiences. Crucially, I want to show that you can live in the middle of a city and still enjoy the countryside and make the most of the nature we have in Scotland.”
“As someone who has made this country my home, I’m really excited to work with a Scottish institution like The Herald and share my experiences with those who can hopefully benefit from it.”
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Hollie’s Top Five Pentlands Walks
Flotterstone > Turnhouse Hill > Carnethy Hill > Loganlea Reservoir > Glencourse Reservoir > Flotterstone
11.3km - 457m elevation
Starting from the Pentlands car park past the Flotterstone Inn, this walk takes you through a short initial forest before the climb starts up to the two hills. Once at the top of Turnhouse Hill you get an incredible view of Carnethy and the paths are good throughout. The walk back alongside the reservoirs is tarmac and gives an impressive view back onto the hills you have just climbed.
connect.garmin.com/modern/course/186835322
Hillend - Caerketton Hill - Allermuir Hill - Castlaw - Hillend
10km - 513m elevation
Starting from the Hillend lower car park, this walk gives a steep initial climb to get up to the elevation then amazing views onto Arthur’s Seat and across the rest of the Pentlands ahead of you. With the herd of Highland coos living at this end of the Pentlands, there is a good chance of seeing them on the initial part of this walk. You can shorten the walk by turning right at Allermuir Hill and looping back to Hillend.
connect.garmin.com/modern/course/186833309
The Two Reservoir Flat Walks (Harlaw & Threipmuir)
10.11km - 157m elevation
Start from either reservoir car park to follow this loop around both. Shorten by just looping Harlaw.
connect.garmin.com/modern/course/186838558
Threipmuir - West Kip - East Kip - Scald Law - Threipmuir
12km - 430m elevation
Taking in the tallest of the Pentlands hills (Scald Law) this route is my favourite to hike. After a gradual hill from the Threipmuir you emerge into the central hills valley. From here you tackle the steepest path (that I’ve found!) in the Pentlands to summit West Kip. This is a real leg burner in the winter snow! From here it is straightforward across to east Kip before you start the final climb up to the Scald Laws trig.
A lovely walk through the valley and past the Black Falls takes you back to the start.
connect.garmin.com/modern/course/186839469
Harlaw - Maiden’s Cleugh - Glencourse Reservoir - Loganlea Reservoir - Green Cleugh - Black Springs - Harlaw
12.67km - 275m elevation
Starting from Harlaw visitors car park, you head through wheat fields before a gradual incline upwards.
A lovely path takes you down into the valley by the reservoir. Following this through the valley you eventually emerge into a valley basin from which you can see the Black Falls, skirting the Threipmuir and Harlaw reservoirs to get back to the start. Staying fairly low and sheltered by being in the valley, this is a go-to for windy or poor weather days.
connect.garmin.com/modern/course/186837018
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