Esperston Law

Hill, Mountain in Midlothian

Scotland

Esperston Law

Rough grazing beneath the Moorfoot Hills View towards the Pentland Hills from the B7007.
Rough grazing beneath the Moorfoot Hills Credit: Richard Webb

Esperston Law, also known as Midlothian Hill or Midlothian Mountain, is a prominent landmark located in Midlothian, Scotland. Rising to an elevation of approximately 448 meters (1,470 feet), it is situated about 10 kilometers southeast of the capital city of Edinburgh.

Esperston Law is a hill formed by the erosion of volcanic rocks that were deposited during the Carboniferous period, around 320 million years ago. Comprising mainly of basalt, it is part of the larger Pentland Hills range, which extends across a vast area in the southern region of Midlothian. The hill offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, including the city of Edinburgh, the Firth of Forth, and the Pentland Hills themselves.

The hill is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, hikers, and nature lovers alike. There are several well-marked trails that lead visitors to the summit of Esperston Law, providing an opportunity to explore the diverse flora and fauna of the area. The extensive heather moorland, interspersed with patches of woodland, supports a range of wildlife, including red deer, birds of prey, and various small mammals.

Esperston Law is also notable for its historical significance. The remains of an Iron Age hillfort can be found on the western slopes, adding to the hill's allure for those interested in ancient history and archaeology. Additionally, the hill has been used as a site for paragliding, offering an exhilarating experience to those seeking adventure in the skies above Midlothian.

Overall, Esperston Law stands as a picturesque and historically rich landscape, attracting visitors from near and far to explore its natural beauty and enjoy the recreational opportunities it provides.

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Esperston Law Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 55.802196/-3.0427974 or Grid Reference NT3457. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Rough grazing beneath the Moorfoot Hills View towards the Pentland Hills from the B7007.
Rough grazing beneath the Moorfoot Hills
View towards the Pentland Hills from the B7007.
Thimble Cottage at Outerston
Thimble Cottage at Outerston
Thimble Cottage from Outerston
Thimble Cottage from Outerston
Danger! Bulls Keep Out No evidence that they were there, but I kept to my side of the gate.
Danger! Bulls Keep Out
No evidence that they were there, but I kept to my side of the gate.
Hilly pasture at Outerston Reputedly with bulls in it.
Hilly pasture at Outerston
Reputedly with bulls in it.
Temple Quarry Conveyor It looks as if it is relatively recent and serviceable; it shows on Google Earth imagery dated 2006. From the 1:25000 map it looks as if it carries material from Temple Quarry to Middleton, a distance of over 3km, although not as the crow flies. This is at a point where it changes direction by 90 deg. by the side of the road east of Outerston.
Temple Quarry Conveyor
It looks as if it is relatively recent and serviceable; it shows on Google Earth imagery dated 2006. From the 1:25000 map it looks as if it carries material from Temple Quarry to Middleton, a distance of over 3km, although not as the crow flies. This is at a point where it changes direction by 90 deg. by the side of the road east of Outerston.
Temple Quarry sand and gravel conveyor A 90-deg bend, at the side of the road. The quarry is 0.5 km to the left, and the conveyor can be seen snaking across the landscape to the trees on the skyline at the left.
Temple Quarry sand and gravel conveyor
A 90-deg bend, at the side of the road. The quarry is 0.5 km to the left, and the conveyor can be seen snaking across the landscape to the trees on the skyline at the left.
Temple Quarry Conveyor Looking towards the quarry, about 0.5-km away, from a farm bridge over. Barley to the left, oats to the right. For those not sure of the difference see <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2594002">NT3357 : Barley near Outerston</a> and <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2593993">NT3357 : Oats at Outerston</a>.
Temple Quarry Conveyor
Looking towards the quarry, about 0.5-km away, from a farm bridge over. Barley to the left, oats to the right. For those not sure of the difference see NT3357 : Barley near Outerston and NT3357 : Oats at Outerston.
Old quarry in Halkerston Glen With the Middleton North Burn running through.
Old quarry in Halkerston Glen
With the Middleton North Burn running through.
Halkerston farm buildings
Halkerston farm buildings
Cemex - Temple Quarry Part of Middleton Lime Works. An aerial view of this site is at <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2107527">NT3558 : Middleton lime works and quarry</a>.
Cemex - Temple Quarry
Part of Middleton Lime Works. An aerial view of this site is at NT3558 : Middleton lime works and quarry.
Oat field near Outerston Taken from the bridge over the Temple Quarry conveyor, which does a left turn near here and can be seen heading off along the right-hand edge of the field to Middleton. There were also two roe deer enjoying the oats, but they moved away before I could catch them.
Oat field near Outerston
Taken from the bridge over the Temple Quarry conveyor, which does a left turn near here and can be seen heading off along the right-hand edge of the field to Middleton. There were also two roe deer enjoying the oats, but they moved away before I could catch them.
Oats at Outerston The least likely to be encountered of the three main UK cereals of wheat, barley and oats - each 'corn' in the parts of the country where they are the main cereal.
Oats at Outerston
The least likely to be encountered of the three main UK cereals of wheat, barley and oats - each 'corn' in the parts of the country where they are the main cereal.
Barley near Outerston The main cereal crop, at least in Scotland - where would we be without it - no beer, no whisky!
Barley near Outerston
The main cereal crop, at least in Scotland - where would we be without it - no beer, no whisky!
Barley stubble and big bales near Castleton
Barley stubble and big bales near Castleton
Wet harvest at Castleton Barley stubble and big bales.
Wet harvest at Castleton
Barley stubble and big bales.
Old quarry in Halkerston Glen A marshy area with the Middleton North Burn flowing through on the right hand side.
Old quarry in Halkerston Glen
A marshy area with the Middleton North Burn flowing through on the right hand side.
Old limekiln in Halkerston Glen
Old limekiln in Halkerston Glen
Show me another place!

Esperston Law is located at Grid Ref: NT3457 (Lat: 55.802196, Lng: -3.0427974)

Unitary Authority: Midlothian

Police Authority: The Lothians and Scottish Borders

What 3 Words

///pushy.sofas.detail. Near Gorebridge, Midlothian

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 55.802196,-3.0427974
Eperston Law
Natural: peak
Lat/Long: 55.8033023/-3.0421108
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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