Deepsyke Forest

Well, it probably can't officially be called an obelisk, due to having such sloping sides, but its only description on a map is 'pillar' (this only shows up on very detailed online mapping, which is a bit odd considering the size of the structure) which is probably even less accurate a term. The real conundrum with this thing regards what it is doing here in the first place! Investigations weren't that straightforward, but OS maps from around 1910 show the route of a pipeline, or 'conduit' as they put it, right at the spot of the obelisk. The pipeline runs underground (apart from occasional aqueducts) so it seems a little odd for it to get plotted on maps. It takes water from the two mile long Talla Reservoir, a good way south of here, to southern Edinburgh, and its overall length is around 35 miles. Although online information is a bit sketchy there are mentions of similar structures along the pipe's route. Apparently they are surveying towers. As the water gets to its destination solely by gravity accuracy was obviously required, but this still doesn't really explain why it is so grand. My best guess is that because the money required to convert a small water body into a massive reservoir was so huge, the money spent on these was just a drop in the ocean. Plus railway lines had to be constructed from various places to transport materials for the building of the reservoir at the turn of the 20th century. As with everything railway-related, there is a colossal amount of online information regarding them. Thinking information about the structure would be readily available online I didn't bother measuring it, but I reckon it's around 20 feet high with a four foot square base. There were no obvious markings.

The picture was taken from the North wall of the 'Macbiehill' road. The bumps are a scheduled monument. Whilst there are numerous areas in this part of the Scottish Borders altered by early quarrying activity, this one has been singled out. So if you're prepared to mix it up with the cows there are traces of rare old limekilns somewhere out here. According to Historic Environment Scotland, the quarry was once one of the most profitable in Southern Scotland, and 'unusually' was worked by the owner - so there's a timeless business message there for us all. The quarry was 'Bents Quarry' and the nearest hamlet is/was 'Lamancha'. In the deep distant past I used to deliver parcels round here. After mispronouncing the name several times I was informed that the 'ch' was silent: "like the 'ch' in 'chianti'."

Grassland beneath the Pentland Hills.

The ride carrying the Penicuik road has been widened recently. There are plans for opencast coal mining in the area.

A road between Penicuik and West Linton runs through the 1980s planted woodland on Harlaw Moss.

The woodland edge on Harlaw Moor.

With Deepsyke Forest in the distance.

Part of the Pentland Hills seen from the southeast after snow.

Looking north from Deanfoot Road towards Paties and Spittal Hills and Green Law in the Pentlands.

Between Whitfield and Upper Whitfield, heading towards Deepsyke Forest.

Viewed from a Prague bound flight from Edinburgh. Auchencorth Moss peat works NT1952 : Auchencorth Moss peat works. can be seen adjoining the top of the forest.

Viewed from a Prague bound flight from Edinburgh. Auchencorth Moss peat works NT1952 : Auchencorth Moss peat works. can be seen adjoining the forest.

A tributary of the Lyne Water - not sure why this part is canalised and has a water meter house, but the whole area was heavily quarried and it may have something to do with that industrial history.

Close to the canalised Cairn Burn.

A tributary of the Cairn Burn, which in turn flows into the Lyne Water.

Looking towards its source in Deepsyke Forest.

But see it from the other side NT1852 : House, lost in a landscape!

A reciprocal view to NT1852 : An unassuming modern house near Lamancha.