Situated to the south of Edinburgh, nestled on the Pentland Hills, the Midlothian Snow Sports Centre is a lively place and it is hard not to get caught up in the atmosphere. Open weekdays from 9.30am until 9pm and weekends from 9.30 until 7pm the Snow sports offers lessons for all ages and all abilities, even offering lessons for ladies.

The Skiing and Snow Boarding lessons are offered from very basic ‘how to stand’ on the ski’s or board up to how to pummel down the highest run. With two main slopes, two nursery slopes and a jump slope, the centre offers fun and adrenaline for every level of skier. All equipment is available to hire at the centre, all you need to do is book your desired lesson and turn up. However you will need to make sure you have the correct attire as it can get very cold on the Pentland Hills. We highly recommend layering up and wearing gloves.

Serviced by the 360 cafe, which serves up hot food and drinks as well as cold snacks, the cafe has ample seating and you are able to watch the slopes while you sit on comfort. Wifi is also available.  The Snowsports centre is also available as a conference centre, and birthday parties are also offered.

For all enquires please contact the centre on 0131 445 4433 or email ski@midlothian.gov.uk

Photo credit to http://www.flickr.com/photos/tessawatson/

Fireworks night is without a doubt my most favourite night of the year. I love fireworks! They have always held a fascination for me and as a small child watching the night sky explode with colours and noise was so exciting! At school we learnt the story of Guy Fawkes and his failed plot to blow up the houses of parliament, then spent ages building our own home made guy to throw on our Bonfire! A strange tradition to say the least but still one of my favourites. As a child my family would watch an organised display and we would feast on such typical November 5th fodder as jacket potatoes, corn on the cob, sausages cooked on the bonfire, winter soup, toasted marshmallows and pomegranates. Yum!

Since moving to Edinburgh and having my own children, I have passed this tradition and love onto them, (though we omit the building of a ‘guy’ and throwing it on a bonfire!) We typically go to the Pentland Community Centre in Fairmilehead where a local retailer puts on a legendary firework display for locals who have patronised his shop over the years. There is sometimes a puppet show before the display for the local children, a live band and a barbeque. It has a great community atmosphere!

Other events in Edinburgh include a display at Meadowbank Stadium, a ticketed event at George Watsons College sponsored by Ryden Letting and in association with SLA, Inverleith Park. With Edinburgh being blessed with an abundance of hills, we can also choose to go up to Arthurs Seat, The Braid Hills, The Pentland Hills and Blackford Hill to watch the whole city come alight with displays!

Enjoy Edinburgh, Enjoy!!

The Pentlands Hills are great for just about anybody, Mountain Bikers, walkers, dog walkers, families and runners. It’s a great all weather place too, I’ve been up there in the rain with my 3 daughters, in full water proofs, and we walked round splashing in puddles, great fun! One of my favourite past times is to cycle up there and then through the Pentlands to the other side of Edinburgh where there is a really nice country pub (Flotterston Inn). You can enjoy a nice meal or just a refreshing beverage -the guest beers are great!

There are several routes to walk round up there, one I really enjoy doing (which isn’t too hard for two of my girls, aged 5 and 3) is to walk round Harlaw Reservoir. You can access it from Currie or Balerno, there is a car park at the foot of the hills so you do not need to walk all the way up there to start your walk.

It took me about 2 and a half hours to walk round with my children, mind you we had a few stop offs to throw stones and sticks into the reservoir!

There are longer walks like the Nine Mile Burn, which will give you more of a view of the Pentlands and Edinburgh I would assume, which I have yet to explore. All the views from the hills are amazing and really breath taking.

You have the option of wild camping in the hills,  you are able to pitch small tents within the set guidelines. This is something that I have yet to do, not too sure how my oldest would enjoy wild camping.

Once you are in the Pentlands you pretty much forget about the city life. It’s one of my favourite places to escape to after a busy or stressful week at work or even after a busy/hectic day with the evenings staying lighter in the summer.

Fishing is permitted in 6 of the reservoirs by permit which I believe can be obtained from local post offices. You are also able to hire boats and fish out in the middle of the reservoirs

As well as all the above there are Pubs scattered in most of the villages that are at the foot of the Pentlands so where ever you walk/cycle to you can enjoy a refreshing drink/meal.

As I walked for 4 hours, I met many people, not surprising for such a glorious day. And, as you do, you say hello and chat in a way you only do in the Great Outdoors. Never happens in a street. It made me wonder how many Edinburgh people never consider a visit to these wonderful hills. Here’s a little photo showcase of what you can see in the Pentlands Hills. You don’t need to be an avid hillwalker type, there are plenty easy strolls. Hopefully it will encourage you to pay them a visit.

Harlaw is a great place to start if you don’t want anything too strenuous. Similarly, a walk from Flotterstone up through the filter beds isn’t too taxing and offers some great views, especially if you go all the way to Glencorse.

All these photos are linked to hi-res versions that you can download for free.

First things first. Check out the Pentland Hills website. Much of what I will describe is covered there and you can get a very useful map [PDF].

This is a view of East and West Kip taken overlooking Threapmuir reservoir. This at at the far end of the Harlaw Woodland walk. As you can see, on a nice day it’s a great place to be.

If you leave from the Harlaw Ranger’s station, you can go up over the ridge and down to the reservoir at the base of Black Hill. It’s usually very peaceful here and the bottom of Black Hill has a lovely red colour.

The woodland walk at Harlaw is one of the easiest loops you can do. Ideal for you first stroll in the Pentlands, it’s all flat, so great with small kids. There are lots of nice trees too.

Sometimes even Scotland can look at little bit like Africa. This photo can also be seen in the Harlaw Ranger’s Station.

At the far end of the Harlaw woodland walk you arrive at Threapmuir reservoir. If you carry on round to the left there is a lovely avenue of trees.

This is the same avenue of trees seen from the other side of Threipmuir Reservoir.

Pick the right time of year and you get the ever popular sight of a field of rapeseed.

The avenue up the hill at Bavelaw is very pretty in the sun. Easiest to approach from the car park at Threapmuir.