The history of Edinburgh’s water supply is long and fascinating. As the South Loch (today’s Meadows) dried up, supplies from beyond the city limits were sought, first in the 18th century in the area of Comiston Springs and then in the Pentlands in the 19th century. These involved several on the northern edge of the Moorfoots. Talla followed in the early 20th century, to capture the abundant rainfall of upper Tweeddale, others nearby somewhat later. The huge schemes had long ceased to be exclusive to the city but involved the whole region.

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I do not think I was on Corstorphine Hill for forty years – until the other day. However, it is a name of significance for all walkers and hillwalkers, being an early case taken up by the “Association for the Protection of Public Rights of Roadway in and around Edinburgh”. Read the rest of this entry »

It is hard to appreciate the significance of the narrow waist of Scotland between Forth and Clyde – less than 25 miles – in times before modern road and rail transport. Consider also complications caused by even quite small watercourses in soft ground and you begin to see what an undertaking any travel was in former times. Read the rest of this entry »

I enjoy a walk round Calderwood mainly because it feels so remote from the surrounding industry of Central Scotland. Most of what I am about to describe lies within half a kilometre – not much over ¼ mile – from housing and busy roads. Read the rest of this entry »