Boghall to Castlelaw Pathway 2008

In the depths of winter early morning visitors to the north-eastern Pentlands Hills could have been forgiven if they rubbed their eyes in surprise. Each week, starting in January, a small group of `workers` armed with shovels, spikes and assorted builders implements could be seen trekking up from the car park at Boghall and across the lower reaches of Woodhouselee hill. Local legends abound in these hills but these were not ghostly aspirations or indeed latter day treasure hunters but Friends of the Pentlands volunteers – their mission to prepare the new Boghall to Castlelaw pathway and to re-engineer the area that was to become known simply as the Five Fence Junction.

The pathway had been many months in the planning and involved consultation and agreement with the Ministry of Defence, Scottish Agricultural College and the Pentland Hills Ranger Service. It runs for some 3.5 kilometres, connects the car parks at Boghall and Castlelaw, and makes its way through some delightful stretches of mature and majestic broadleaf trees. Much of the pathway runs adjacent to farmland operated by the Scottish Agricultural College and the area is steeped in history. The imposing Tytler memorial stands approximately half way along the pathway.

By far the most difficult of the tasks involved with the pathway was the Five Fence Junction where the plans called for the spanning of a burn and two areas of boggy land. The larger of these quickly turned into a morass and, coupled with an unkind camber on one side, meant regular mud baths for a number of unfortunate volunteers. Undeterred, foundations were secured, cross bracings and boards were installed. Over the weeks the woods rang with the noise of rustic but industrious carpentry, in direct competition to a raucous colony of nearby crows. Eventually nature was overcome and the boardwalk and sleeper bridge topped out.

Time for a break! - boardwalk completed
Left to right. Ken Borthwick, John Stirling, Chairman, David Pritchard, Andrew Aitchison, Kenny Gunn Russell, John Surtees, Dennis Smith

The final significant task was the installation of three large gates requiring a set of new skills. Posts had to be secured into holes of some 3 feet depth and ironmongery precisely aligned. Spirit Levels and patience were the order on these days as each of the gates are required to function to exacting standards.

The project certainly enabled us to learn some valuable skills which required a high level of teamwork and commitment but the work days were always enjoyable. The Pentland Hills Ranger Service kindly provided 3 gates, a stile together with a quantity of timber for the project. Martin Duncan, Ranger, also gave valuable assistance on a number of occasions. Cost to the Friends have totalled just over £500 and volunteers have contributed a substantial 420 hours of their time.

It is to be hoped that the pathway, whilst providing a rewarding short walk in its own right, will enable the areas around Castlelaw and Boghall to be linked in a more useable fashion.

In total for the pathway we have installed:

Members of Friends of the Pentlands who have helped in this project:

and Andrew Aitchison as part of his Duke of Edinburgh scheme

The Friends of the Pentlands would like to acknowledge the kind help and assistance provided by the Ministry of Defence, Scottish Agricultural College and the Pentland Hills Ranger Service in the creation of the new pathway

An celebratory `opening’ will take place by way of a Friends walk on Saturday 6th September 2008 (see revised Programme of Events for details).

Construction features of the Pathway

                     Before                                                                                                                                After

Gate at top of Boghall Glen

Stile at start of wooded area

Gate within wooded area

Boardwalk
(picture on left taken during a drier period and during construction!)

Gate at end of wooded section

Sleeper bridge