Highland Coos

It still amazes me how quick you can be in the quiet rural countryside just a few miles out from Edinburgh. This Sunday we take a walk out into the Pentlands and as tradition, lose the path, gain some wet feet and meet a group of furry friends.

After nearly 7 years of living in Edinburgh I feel I've barely scraped the surface of the Pentlands. Walking the Pentland Way last November certainly helped me map out the many hills and nearby villages but there's still so much to explore and go at.

Today we took the car and drove out past West Linton to start our walk from Upper Glen Ely Wood taking in Mount Maw, The Mount and a lot of bog. It felt good to leave the city and not see another person for miles. Except of course the group of women gingerly but bravely walking out into Baddinsgill Reservoir for an icy dip. And I literally mean icy, as we could see sections where the surface of the reservoir was completely frozen over.

Warming up we hiked up Mount Maw for a stunning view of the misty valley then towards The Mount where we ate our sandwiches and drank our tea.

It was shortly after this point where we lost our path and spent the last few miles leaping over boggy moorland, only to be greeted at the final gate by a large group of highland cows.

I  always forget how being outside even for a short time can really inspire me to draw and paint, by getting some fresh air and seeing something different. Below is my first drawing of a Highland Coo.