Cow Hill

Hill, Mountain in Midlothian

Scotland

Cow Hill

Bridge signs, West Calder railway station The picture was taken from the far end of West Calder station&#039;s Eastbound platform and shows five of six small signs on the walls of the bridge that carries a main road over the railway line. The closest sign on the right reads:

OB
125
A71 LIMEFIELD
ROAD
06

What the number at the bottom refers to is a mystery, but hopefully somebody will let me know one day and I can update this writeup in due course...
Heading from the furthest away, the signs on the right-hand wall are numbered 01, 03 (possibly 02 - should have written them down!), 04 and 06; the signs on the left-hand one are numbered 02 (possibly 03) and 05. Presumably there is something important about each sign&#039;s exact location as they are not spaced out at all evenly.
The rest of the sign is pretty straightforward. &#039;OB&#039; refers to the bridge being an overbridge - in other words a bridge runs over the railway. It should be noted though that this is only the case from the railway&#039;s point of view. If, say, resurfacing was taking place on the A71 (Limefield Road) above, the roads maintenance department would refer to the bridge as an underbridge.
125 is simply the bridge number. Sections of railway lines have bridges numbered in order - generally between junctions, or stations and junctions. (It actually gets more complicated than it sounds which is one reason I always feel a bit out of my depth with railway minutiae!)
This line was recently electrified, which may or may not be relevant. After all, these aren&#039;t signs you come across that often on everyday walks, for obvious safety reasons. — Bridge signs, West Calder railway station Credit: Ian Dodds

Cow Hill is a prominent hill located in Midlothian, Scotland. Situated approximately 6 miles southeast of the city of Edinburgh, it forms part of the Pentland Hills range. Rising to an elevation of 1,392 feet (424 meters), Cow Hill offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, making it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, hikers, and nature lovers.

The hill is characterized by its gentle slopes and grassy terrain, which make it relatively accessible for walkers of varying abilities. A well-maintained trail leads to the summit, guiding visitors through patches of heather and bracken, and offering occasional encounters with local wildlife such as grouse and rabbits.

At the top of Cow Hill, visitors are rewarded with stunning vistas of the Pentland Hills Regional Park and the nearby reservoirs of Threipmuir, Harlaw, and Clubbiedean. On clear days, it is even possible to catch glimpses of the Firth of Forth and the city of Edinburgh in the distance.

Apart from its natural beauty, Cow Hill also holds historical significance. In the past, it was used for grazing livestock, hence its name. The hill's position also made it an important vantage point during military operations, with remnants of fortifications and observation posts still visible today.

Overall, Cow Hill in Midlothian offers visitors a perfect blend of natural beauty, recreational opportunities, and a glimpse into the region's history. Whether it's for a leisurely walk, a challenging hike, or simply to enjoy the breathtaking views, Cow Hill is a must-visit destination for both locals and tourists alike.

Show me another place!

If you have any feedback on the listing, please let us know in the comments section below.

Cow Hill Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 55.839433/-3.5712453 or Grid Reference NT0161. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Bridge signs, West Calder railway station

The picture was taken from the far end of West Calder station's Eastbound platform and shows five of six small signs on the walls of the bridge that carries a main road over the railway line. The closest sign on the right reads: OB 125 A71 LIMEFIELD ROAD 06 What the number at the bottom refers to is a mystery, but hopefully somebody will let me know one day and I can update this writeup in due course... Heading from the furthest away, the signs on the right-hand wall are numbered 01, 03 (possibly 02 - should have written them down!), 04 and 06; the signs on the left-hand one are numbered 02 (possibly 03) and 05. Presumably there is something important about each sign's exact location as they are not spaced out at all evenly. The rest of the sign is pretty straightforward. 'OB' refers to the bridge being an overbridge - in other words a bridge runs over the railway. It should be noted though that this is only the case from the railway's point of view. If, say, resurfacing was taking place on the A71 (Limefield Road) above, the roads maintenance department would refer to the bridge as an underbridge. 125 is simply the bridge number. Sections of railway lines have bridges numbered in order - generally between junctions, or stations and junctions. (It actually gets more complicated than it sounds which is one reason I always feel a bit out of my depth with railway minutiae!) This line was recently electrified, which may or may not be relevant. After all, these aren't signs you come across that often on everyday walks, for obvious safety reasons.

Ian Dodds

Footpath sign, West Harwood

The gate has been broken down. This is the start of one of the paths in young woodland.

Richard Webb

West Harwood woodland

A young but maturing plantation.

Richard Webb

Bog near Kipsyke

To the left of the trees to the left is the ruin of Kipsyke farm. This is the third year I have walked to see it but every year there is the same sign pinned to the gate of the field the ruin is in: 'Bull in field'. The sign looks more faded on each visit and, as on the previous two visits, there was no bull in sight and no cowpats on the ground. However, it's a big field and some of it can't be seen from the gate. Plus I don't even like cows much and it could always be dozing within the ruin. Maybe next year my visit will coincide with a farmer's who will tell me that he's not kept cattle for years. The ground is boggy but not too boggy to keep your feet dry. It would probably be full of conifers too if access wasn't required to the power lines.

Ian Dodds

Shelter Belt at Kipsyke

The shelter belt is a bit scrappier than it looks from the maps, but it is still enough to conceal the ruins (or maybe it's just the site) of Kipsyke, which are marked but not named on the contemporary maps.

Anne Burgess

Pasture and woodland at Pearie Law

With a notice indicating the way to six of the Pearie Law Wind Farm turbines.

M J Richardson

Track to Pearie Law

Leading to turbines 4, 5 and 6 of the Pearie Law Wind Farm.

M J Richardson

Pearie Law Wind Farm

The control centre for the six turbines NT0159 : Pearie Law wind farm from the air.

M J Richardson

Pearie Law and Harburnhead Wind Farms

Some of the turbines that make up the two wind farms. For aerial views of the wind farms see NT0259 : Harburnhead Wind Farm and Cobbinshaw Reservoir, and Tam Nugent's pictures NT0159 : West Harwood from the air, NT0160 : West Harwood from the air, NT0160 : Pearie Law wind farm from the air and NT0159 : Pearie Law wind farm from the air.

M J Richardson

Pearie Law and Harburnhead Wind Farms

The nearest turbine is one of the Pearie Law six; the others are part of Harburnhead Wind Farm, across the railway. For aerial views of the wind farms see NT0259 : Harburnhead Wind Farm and Cobbinshaw Reservoir, and Tam Nugent's pictures NT0159 : West Harwood from the air, NT0160 : West Harwood from the air, NT0160 : Pearie Law wind farm from the air and NT0159 : Pearie Law wind farm from the air. For a better view on a brighter day see Anne Burgess's picture NT0259 : Pearie Law Wind Farm.

M J Richardson

Track: Pearie Law Wind Farm

Ruin of Kiprig in distance

Jim Smillie

Newly cultivated field

Probably re-seeded with grass

Jim Smillie

Turbine beside hayfield

Farming continuing in the area of a wind farm

Jim Smillie

Wind Farm: Control Centre

At the entrance of Pearie Law Wind Farm

Jim Smillie

Torphin

A train passes Torphin Quarry with the background of the Pentland Hills. A view East across the square, a mix of farmland, some drained, some wet and forestry.

Richard Webb