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Hill Wood

Wood, Forest in Lanarkshire

Scotland

Hill Wood

Forest Access Near Tarbrax This track leaves the A70 to run alongside Boston Burn for a short distance.
Forest Access Near Tarbrax Credit: Mary and Angus Hogg

Hill Wood is a picturesque forest located in Lanarkshire, Scotland. This ancient woodland covers an area of approximately 100 acres and is home to a diverse range of plant and animal species. The wood is situated on a hillside, providing stunning panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.

Visitors to Hill Wood can enjoy peaceful walks along well-maintained trails that wind through the trees, allowing them to explore the beauty of the natural environment. The forest is known for its rich biodiversity, with a variety of bird species, mammals, and insects calling it home.

Hill Wood is also a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, offering opportunities for activities such as birdwatching, photography, and nature walks. The wood is managed by local conservation organizations, who work to preserve its natural beauty and protect its wildlife.

Overall, Hill Wood is a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, providing visitors with a chance to reconnect with nature and enjoy the peaceful surroundings of this ancient forest in Lanarkshire.

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Hill Wood Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 55.73177/-3.5647986 or Grid Reference NT0149. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Forest Access Near Tarbrax This track leaves the A70 to run alongside Boston Burn for a short distance.
Forest Access Near Tarbrax
This track leaves the A70 to run alongside Boston Burn for a short distance.
Boston Burn Boston Burn separates two blocks of forestry on the Lang Whang, one of which has been harvested and replanted.
Boston Burn
Boston Burn separates two blocks of forestry on the Lang Whang, one of which has been harvested and replanted.
By Corse Law Forest The A70 on the edge of Corse Law Forest, looking in the Edinburgh direction.
By Corse Law Forest
The A70 on the edge of Corse Law Forest, looking in the Edinburgh direction.
Corse Law Forest Edge This forest lies alongside the Lang Whang between Carnwath and Edinburgh.
Corse Law Forest Edge
This forest lies alongside the Lang Whang between Carnwath and Edinburgh.
Countryside by the A70 roadside, with wind turbines seen beyond
Countryside by the A70 roadside, with wind turbines seen beyond
Hare Law Cairn This cairn is built within a far larger ruined one from way back in time. According to Canmore - Scotland's public archaeological service - it is a prehistoric burial cairn, and measures about 20 metres in diameter. A raised curving bank can clearly be seen to the East of the summit, but elsewhere the circle is a bit sketchy. There are quite a few 'rickles' around - this word, which I had never heard before, is used in a 1940s surveying report, and means 'a loosely piled heap'. Canmore also mention another report which states that in the early 19th Century human bones of 'an unusual size' were recovered from the cairn. Maybe giants once roamed these hills.
Hare Law Cairn
This cairn is built within a far larger ruined one from way back in time. According to Canmore - Scotland's public archaeological service - it is a prehistoric burial cairn, and measures about 20 metres in diameter. A raised curving bank can clearly be seen to the East of the summit, but elsewhere the circle is a bit sketchy. There are quite a few 'rickles' around - this word, which I had never heard before, is used in a 1940s surveying report, and means 'a loosely piled heap'. Canmore also mention another report which states that in the early 19th Century human bones of 'an unusual size' were recovered from the cairn. Maybe giants once roamed these hills.
Sunset over Hare Law I've no idea if some of the detail in these pictures gets lost once they go online, but if it doesn't, zooming in on the sky should show a few flocks of birds which ultimately all headed Northeast. I had always thought that it was only flocks of starlings that were called 'murmurations' but it seems that a murmuration can refer to any old flock of birds - it's just that starlings do it in bigger numbers than other birds, and the National Geographic say that up to three-quarters of a million have been spotted in a single flock. Why birds regularly gather together in such numbers before heading off to roost for the night is unclear. It is often stated that it helps them keep warm and that flying in a big group puts off predators. This may well be the case but doesn't really explain why they don't do it throughout the day. I have no idea whether these were starlings or not!
Sunset over Hare Law
I've no idea if some of the detail in these pictures gets lost once they go online, but if it doesn't, zooming in on the sky should show a few flocks of birds which ultimately all headed Northeast. I had always thought that it was only flocks of starlings that were called 'murmurations' but it seems that a murmuration can refer to any old flock of birds - it's just that starlings do it in bigger numbers than other birds, and the National Geographic say that up to three-quarters of a million have been spotted in a single flock. Why birds regularly gather together in such numbers before heading off to roost for the night is unclear. It is often stated that it helps them keep warm and that flying in a big group puts off predators. This may well be the case but doesn't really explain why they don't do it throughout the day. I have no idea whether these were starlings or not!
A third class hill So said the Ordnance Survey in around 1860 in one of their naming books, which accompanied their first surveys of an area. The description is fair enough - Horse Law is just a tiddly bump at the Southern end of the Pentland Hills - but I can't find any information anywhere stating whether these hill classes (which I have never encountered before) follow some kind of early drop/height criteria or are purely subjective. Current maps seem to mark this sorry little pile of stones as the remains of a cairn. However, the first map only marks the site of a cairn, which in the same naming book is (fairly unclearly) described as a track marking the position of a former circular cairn. So maybe something has been lost in translation over time, as something this small - even if there are plenty more stones under the grass -wouldn't normally get a mention on a map in any era.
A third class hill
So said the Ordnance Survey in around 1860 in one of their naming books, which accompanied their first surveys of an area. The description is fair enough - Horse Law is just a tiddly bump at the Southern end of the Pentland Hills - but I can't find any information anywhere stating whether these hill classes (which I have never encountered before) follow some kind of early drop/height criteria or are purely subjective. Current maps seem to mark this sorry little pile of stones as the remains of a cairn. However, the first map only marks the site of a cairn, which in the same naming book is (fairly unclearly) described as a track marking the position of a former circular cairn. So maybe something has been lost in translation over time, as something this small - even if there are plenty more stones under the grass -wouldn't normally get a mention on a map in any era.
Summit, Calla Hill View towards the Pentland Hills.
Summit, Calla Hill
View towards the Pentland Hills.
Layby on the A70 Geocaching is a type of global treasure hunt of people looking for caches, or hidden stashes of objects. Geocaching may also be described as a series of hide-and-seek games, where hiders provide online clues for seekers. Seekers use global positioning system (GPS) devices to find hidden caches
Layby on the A70
Geocaching is a type of global treasure hunt of people looking for caches, or hidden stashes of objects. Geocaching may also be described as a series of hide-and-seek games, where hiders provide online clues for seekers. Seekers use global positioning system (GPS) devices to find hidden caches
Field off the Lang Whang Tractor tyre prints in frosted grass and mud near Kersewell Mains.
Field off the Lang Whang
Tractor tyre prints in frosted grass and mud near Kersewell Mains.
Stripwood beside the A70
Stripwood beside the A70
Old Enclosure near Path Junction I thought the boxes on the map at this spot might represent stone ruins of some sort. They clearly do not and this small area, once fenced off, is the only obvious thing to be seen. At dusk in this barren area certain things take on a sinister air, and I got the feeling that unpleasant things must have once gone on here! Rather more curiously, there were low earthen ramparts at the Northern end of this map feature (I didn't check the area South of this enclosure), running where the lines on the map are drawn. There is no evidence of a former fence; nor is anything shown as being present at this spot on old maps.
Old Enclosure near Path Junction
I thought the boxes on the map at this spot might represent stone ruins of some sort. They clearly do not and this small area, once fenced off, is the only obvious thing to be seen. At dusk in this barren area certain things take on a sinister air, and I got the feeling that unpleasant things must have once gone on here! Rather more curiously, there were low earthen ramparts at the Northern end of this map feature (I didn't check the area South of this enclosure), running where the lines on the map are drawn. There is no evidence of a former fence; nor is anything shown as being present at this spot on old maps.
The Southern Pentland Landscape Whilst it could be argued that this is rather a dull picture it is certainly very representative! I took it because there is some unbelievably noisy water flowing through the peaty soil underneath the grass in the immediate foreground, which is on the North side of the wide grassy track heading SouthEast across the moorland here. Strangely I passed this same spot the day before and there was no noise at all. The turbines on the horizon belong either to the Easteryardhouse or Polkelly windfarms (I can't remember if these are their official names but that is what they usually get called), or perhaps both.
The Southern Pentland Landscape
Whilst it could be argued that this is rather a dull picture it is certainly very representative! I took it because there is some unbelievably noisy water flowing through the peaty soil underneath the grass in the immediate foreground, which is on the North side of the wide grassy track heading SouthEast across the moorland here. Strangely I passed this same spot the day before and there was no noise at all. The turbines on the horizon belong either to the Easteryardhouse or Polkelly windfarms (I can't remember if these are their official names but that is what they usually get called), or perhaps both.
Old Boundary Stone The small pyramid-topped boundary stone is on the other side of the very pretty Westruther Burn, which, to me, contains a surprisingly large amount of water. Considering that the OS map key includes 'BS : Boundary Stone' there is really no excuse for it to be marked on the map as simply 'Stone'. Whilst I probably would have wandered along for a look anyway I was disappointed not to find some impressive geological feature here. Come on OS - it is, after all, marked as a boundary stone on earlier maps as well! The writing on the far side of the stone reads : 'BOUNDARY BETWEEN THE PARISHES OF CARNWATH AND DUNSYRE'. There is also 'C D' inscribed on the top of the stone but I have no idea what this might stand for.
Old Boundary Stone
The small pyramid-topped boundary stone is on the other side of the very pretty Westruther Burn, which, to me, contains a surprisingly large amount of water. Considering that the OS map key includes 'BS : Boundary Stone' there is really no excuse for it to be marked on the map as simply 'Stone'. Whilst I probably would have wandered along for a look anyway I was disappointed not to find some impressive geological feature here. Come on OS - it is, after all, marked as a boundary stone on earlier maps as well! The writing on the far side of the stone reads : 'BOUNDARY BETWEEN THE PARISHES OF CARNWATH AND DUNSYRE'. There is also 'C D' inscribed on the top of the stone but I have no idea what this might stand for.
Track through Felled Forest A desolate route to a desolate place - the very remote-feeling, and slightly eerie Southern end of the Pentlands. Somewhere up ahead on the left, amongst the carnage, is Lingy Knowe, which must have been christened before the trees got planted. As it is certainly not a very discernable natural feature these days. It probably never was much to write home about anyway - it just looks like a slightly flatter bit of an incline judging by the map.
Track through Felled Forest
A desolate route to a desolate place - the very remote-feeling, and slightly eerie Southern end of the Pentlands. Somewhere up ahead on the left, amongst the carnage, is Lingy Knowe, which must have been christened before the trees got planted. As it is certainly not a very discernable natural feature these days. It probably never was much to write home about anyway - it just looks like a slightly flatter bit of an incline judging by the map.
Corse Law The top of this unremarkable hill is 10 to 20 yards ahead, a bit further East than the OS map indicates. The summit is currently a big clump of moss on top of a little bump. This, of course, is probably just a result of the tree cultivation here, but the original summit must have been very close by. The OS naming books - produced in conjunction with their first maps of an area, mainly to sort out agreed spellings for things - states that it is, "A medium sized hill covered with heath, and forming one of the range of the Pentland Hills (3rd Class)". I'm not sure if this means it is a third class hill, or that is part of a third class section of the Pentlands (this is towards the very end of the relatively low-lying Southern section)!
Corse Law
The top of this unremarkable hill is 10 to 20 yards ahead, a bit further East than the OS map indicates. The summit is currently a big clump of moss on top of a little bump. This, of course, is probably just a result of the tree cultivation here, but the original summit must have been very close by. The OS naming books - produced in conjunction with their first maps of an area, mainly to sort out agreed spellings for things - states that it is, "A medium sized hill covered with heath, and forming one of the range of the Pentland Hills (3rd Class)". I'm not sure if this means it is a third class hill, or that is part of a third class section of the Pentlands (this is towards the very end of the relatively low-lying Southern section)!
Backmoor Wood Edge of woodland at the southern end of the Pentland Hills.
Backmoor Wood
Edge of woodland at the southern end of the Pentland Hills.
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Hill Wood is located at Grid Ref: NT0149 (Lat: 55.73177, Lng: -3.5647986)

Unitary Authority: South Lanarkshire

Police Authority: Lanarkshire

What 3 Words

///flank.rewrites.avoiding. Near Carnwath, South Lanarkshire

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Redford Strip Hill Wood

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