π Moorfoot Hills, Scottish Borders
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Dundreich marks the northwestern edge of the rolling Moorfoot Hills, straddling the boundary between Midlothian and the Scottish Borders. Its slopes on this side are steep, allowing for a direct ascent, but overlook Portmore Reservoir with views across the water body backed by a side profile of the Pentland Hills. The return leg detours to see the heathery earthworks of Northshield Rings: a prehistoric hillfort with impressive double rampart.
π· Chronological photo guide
π Location
π Start / finish on minor road at track junction to Portmore Reservoir, near Westloch, 3 mi north of Eddleston
π§ O.S. Grid Reference: NT 256515
π°οΈ GPS coordinates: 55.750800,-3.187629
π Bus stops on A703 at start point turnoff (1 mi)
π Verge parking
π Key info
βΆ 10 km / 6 mi | β² 390 m | β 3-3.5 hr
Features: π§ Portmore Reservoir; β³ Dundreich (623 m, Donald); π° Northshield Rings fort
⬀ Tough | Faint, grassy path for initial ascent & also later around Loch Wood, where navigation skills needed. Rest of circuit mostly on tracks (mix of gravel / grass). Steep gradients in places, one fence must be climbed on ascent.
Download file for GPSβ‘οΈ Clockwise circuit: start – east side of Portmore Reservoir – ascend hollow between Loch Hill & Fala Steel – Dundreich – pass just west of Brown Dod – descent to west of Brown Dod – Loch Wood – Northshield Rings fort – northwest end of Portmore Reservoir – start
π₯Ύ On our last visit
Wildlife: Mute swans, a cormorant, butterflies. Distant cows & sheep.
Weather: Sunny with wispy clouds, 22Β°C at start but with a strong wind.
September 2023