Threipmuir Reservoir Walk: Pentland Hills Walk in Edinburgh

The Pentland Hills has many a car-free walk. Threipmuir Reservoir Walk is an easy walk along the Threipmuir and Harlaw Reservoirs in the Pentland Hills near Edinburgh.

Edinburgh | Scotland

We had nothing planned that weekend and decided to go to the Pentland Hills on a whim. We didn’t have a walk in mind; instead, we were planning to sit on the banks of Threipmuir Reservoir and soak in the scenery. Perhaps do the Threipmuir Reservoir walk. We started late and took the 44 from Princes St. around noon and reached Balerno about an hour later.

The Threipmuir Car Park is a 2 km / 30 min walk from the nearest bus stop at Cockburn Crescent. The uphill road is bordered by tall trees; if you want to walk to Harlaw instead, take the left at Malleny Millgate. Note that the footpath doesn’t continue all the way, so be careful of oncoming vehicles. Continue past the SPCA till you see a wooden waymarker signposting the Threipmur car park. Take the left and head towards the reservoir.

TIP: To the right is the Red Moss Nature Reserve. According to the Scottish Wildlife Trust, Red Moss “is the only raised bog in the City of Edinburgh. The deep peat layer has accumulated over thousands of years. In summer and autumn, the peatland is covered in a blanket of pink-purple heather, sundews, ragged-robin and Sphagnum mosses.”

There’s a bridge across the reservoir for vehicles to reach Bavelaw Farm. The view from this road is very scenic, so we went halfway up the path to take some photos. There were some boats tucked amongst the foliage on the edge of the lake and a family of ducks floating around with abandon. The heather-covered hills looked beautiful and their reflection on the still water added to the beauty. We returned to the main path and continued through the gate to the reservoir, then sat down on a grassy slope. There were not many people around: A trio was trying to inflate their canoes. A photographer was framing a shot around some boats that were lying on the sandy banks of the reservoir. Someone was playing the guitar. It was lovely!

Also read: There are some fantastic walks in and around Edinburgh. Consider picking one of our favourites from The Best Walks in Edinburgh.

Threipmuir Reservoir was built by the Edinburgh Water Company between 1843-1848, and was intended to supply water to the now-forgotten mills at Balerno. Today, it forms part of the local flood prevention scheme by slowing the speed at which water from the many burns and streams enters the Water of Leith. We spent some time on the banks of Threipmuir, then headed east towards Harlaw. Near the embankment/causeway, there is a waymarker pointing out the path to the Harlaw car park and to Black Springs. Here you can end your Threipmuir Reservoir Walk and return to Balerno via Harlaw or continue onwards to Black Springs. We couldn’t find Black Springs on Google Maps but took the right fork and proceeded anyway. And we are so glad we did for the views of the heather from this path are nothing short of magnificent!

Also read: You can walk the Fife coastal path in sections from Edinburgh. Almost all the sections are easily accessible by public transport. We did the Burntisland to Aberdour walk last year and it was lovely.

Black Springs is named for the many small streams that emerge from nearby Black Hill and was historically also known as the Rumbling Well. This part of the reservoir is surprisingly exposed to the elements and can have a chilly wind even on a pleasant day. Soon you will see a dam, at the end of which there is a small stone building. Behind it is the moorlands and in heather season, it is sumptuously purple! Do not cross the dam and continue along the path.

Also read: On a day trip from Edinburgh, visit the magical village of Luss on the shores of Loch Lomond. There are lovely walks in Luss including a magical Fairie Trail!

A sharp turn right and up a steep slope and through woodland and you are on the way towards Hawlaw Reservoir. The reservoir was built in the 1840s to power the local mills. The idea was to dam the Bavelaw Burn to control the flow of water, thus allowing water to build up during the winter months for use during the drier summer and ensure no water shortage for the mills. Walk through the break in the wall and across a wee bridge and you can see the waters of the Hawlaw Reservoir through the trees. Unlike the wide views at Threipmuir, Harlaw is mostly sheathed by tall trees. You can walk through the woods and sit down on one of the benches along the edge. We sat for a while and watched a man fishing, then headed towards the car park and onwards to Balerno to ride the bus back to Edinburgh.

DISTANCE: 9 km / 5.6 miles
TIME TAKEN: 2 hours
NEAREST PUBLIC TRANSPORT TO START: Lothian Bus 44 to Cockburn Crescent, Balerno (2 km / 1.2 miles from Threipmuir car park)
NEAREST PUBLIC TRANSPORT TO FINISH: Lothian Bus 44 from Balerno Main Street