Pentland Skyline

I ran this route twice in 2015; once in Easter then later at the end of August. I decided it was time to try another attempt. With Strava I could compare the three attempts to check fitness levels.

The traditional Skyline route start and finishes at Hillend, passing over Caerketton and then Allermuir (twice). But all of my attempts were from Flotterstone, so ~3km shorter with one less hill. On the map it makes for a much more logical route.

Cloudy but warm at 19° I parked at Flotterstone at 4pm when the car park was starting to clear of day trippers. Shoes on, a final swig of water and the watch was started. 

The climb up Turnhouse was uneventful - 18mins, managed to run on anything that wasn't steep. No stop at the top, just passed straight over and down to the col and onto Carnethy. No stop, then down to the next col running fast on the descent feeling good. On the climb to Scald Law I was in the zone with my mind wandering. Dropping off Scald Law I passed a couple of women heading over from South Black Hill. Checked the watch - 49mins. I knew my last attempt took 68mins to West Kip, and was now certain I could beat that. I cranked up the pace over East Kip and horsed to West Kip in 58mins. Happy Days! 

Stopping for a break, I gobbled some peanuts and water before taking a couple of pictures

The view east from West Kip back along the ridge.

Dropping off West Kip,the segment fever grabbed me and I descended as fast as possible to the Drove Road getting a PB on the way. Just before reaching the track, I tripped on a tussock and fell head over heels into a bog. 

Onto the track, I continued the jog, passing a couple of walkers who I'd seen on the summit of West Kip earlier. Onto Hare Hill, still running everything I could until the path deteriorated into wet bogland and moss on the descent to Green Cleugh. I was expecting wet feet, but not as bad as this on the descent. Into Green Cleugh, the summer bracken guarded the rough mudside down to the marsh in the base of the pass. From above I had seen traces of squashed grass about 10m to the south of the wall-line and decided to follow it. Not a good plan - soon I was splashing knee deep through copper coloured watery mud to stumble onto the track on the far side. Oh the joys. 

Up through the avenue of bracken onto Black Hill and more knee deep heather slowing progress. The descent off Black Hill was not too bad, the path is improving until a couple of hundred metres above Den's Cleugh when it disappears and I had to weave a way through the bracken and flies. 

I climbed slow and steady onto Bell's Hill, starting to feel the pace now, 2hrs in. Plodded down to Maiden's Cleugh and over Harbour Hill. the descent to Phantom's Cleugh made my legs feel like jelly and the leap over one of the wee streams was an effort. 

At the summit of Capelaw, I collapsed to the ground for some more nuts & water 2hrs 22mins. 

I struggled to get going again for the run down to the Red Road and ascent to Allermuir. Really peching now. I knew my best time between Allermuir and Castlelaw was 11mins, didnt think that was under threat now as I slogged along the track over Fala Knowe past a cyclist coming up from Castlelaw Farm. 

On the final climb to Castlelaw I had to stop for a breather - unusual but allowed me to have a quick glance at the view and the kilometres under the feet. The red flag on the summit was blowing indicating activity at the firing range below. I descended the loose hill side to the track and jogged slowly down to the farm passing the hill fort. My knees and feet were hurting now. 

In the gloaming I spotted three or four groups of soldiers carrying large packs and weapons. Some were wearing coloured bibs, I guessed it was some sort of exercise. Through the gate behind the farm and then down to the tarmac at Glencorse. It was 2hr57min on the watch. I had thought the 3hr mark might be achievable so kept glancing at the watch on the final jog back to the car. 3hr01.