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Walk Over hill to Glencorse Reservoir  Length 6 miles

Dogs on walk Gustave, Lucas, Finlay, Otis, Ozzy,Tim

I had my eye on the Pentlands today. For the first time since before Christmas. I was not 

sure it would come off but we took the chance as the wind began to die even though rain

clouds were gathering. What a good choice. The weather was calm, the sky cleared and the

sun came out. It was really quite warm. Oh and of course muddy. But where is it not just 

now?

We began from Bonaly with that harsh climb toward Bonaly Reservoir. First through theScot’s Pine woodland which at first glance appeared to have got away lightly during the

high winds. Then the sound of chainsaws deeper in the trees suggested that the damage

was more serious. We climbed through them. The dogs stopping to nose around two small

Jack Russells before pushing on to the open moorland.

We avoided the reservoir. That would be for later once they were well and truly dirty.

Instead we pressed through the small gate onto the hillsides. Now the dogs began to openup with Finlay marching off at some pace. At some pace too were Lucas, Ozzy and Tim

marauding about each other in the heather. Gustave making the occasional move toward

The Dog Rambler 

E-diary

Thursday

05 January 2012

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them as they headed toward him like stampeding cattle. Otis was his usual calm self,

despite his excitement at seeing this morning for the first time since before Christmas. It 

did not last today. As we got further into the walk the more he ran loving the freedom of 

the hills.

The sun lit up the hillsides and warmed us all through. A golden glow on what has recently

been dull and uninspiring dark winter heather and grass. Below us Glencorse Reservoir was

deep and blue, ablaze with the sparkle of the sun. We headed toward it. Tim gradually

catching up Finlay who I kept making wait.

Somewhere Lucas had slotted in behind me again. I urged him on only for him to do awide circle and end up behind me again. With Tim up front and Lucas behind, Ozzy had

little option but to entertain himself. Gustave was no use as he was concentrating on not 

sinking too deep in the mud and Otis had yet to spark up.

We dropped the last of the few hundred feet down to the reservoir. We would have to

regain it all to get home. The last section was very muddy. Cut by bikes and sheep. Who

were well hidden so far today. Not for long.

As we began our climb away from the reservoir, brightly winking at us as we left it, Tim

sat down beside the track. Just over the rise he was on there was a sheep on the track.

Well done Tim. One sheep of course turned into at least seven. Two of which were now on

the wrong side of the track and looked increasingly unhappy as the others began to climb

away from them up the hillside. They edged forward and then stopped, then edged

forward again. Looking at us, looking at their disappearing mates. We stopped to helpthem make their decision. They took their chance and ran across the track and off toward

the others. I think they would have tried it anyway even if we had not stopped. During all

this the dogs just watched a little bored, urging them to move so they could get on with

their fun.

It did spur them into a chase over the heathery hillside. But not yet for Otis and certainly

not for Finlay. Gustave remained on the track hopeful again they he may catch one of theothers as they ran by. Then we resumed our positions with Tim strangely at the front 

again. For once the glens did not ring to his name as I chastised him for one thing or 

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another.

As we found a good track again taking us over a cattle grid with a dog gate at the side

Otis finally sparked up. And he kept going onto the rise over the shoulder of Capelaw HillOzzy in pursuit. At the top of the shoulder Lucas ran out from behind me and him Ozzy

and Tim raced and tumbled through the long grass.

Below us Finlay could see Bonaly Reservoir once more and could not wait to get to it. This

time he was rewarded with a swim after sticks. Joined by Ozzy but not Tim. Too cold. Otis

waded out quite deep with Gustave and Lucas watching from the bank.

Downhill all the way now through the now silent woodland and back to the car. A full car 

park which had been almost empty when we set out.

Nick

Photo slideshow from the walk 

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