A Cosy Weekend in the Pentland Hills

As autumn slipped away, I took for the hills. If you head southwest from Edinburgh you’ll find the wild and beautiful Pentland Hills, a gorgeous place to hike, picnic, and generally get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. I was kindly invited to spend the weekend at The Sheep Cote, a gorgeous self-catering cottage dating back to the 18th century. This cosy cottage is one of two and sits on a working sheep farm with stunning views out across the countryside. We packed up the car with everything you’d need for a lazy weekend by the fire (read: red wine, hot chocolate and a new hardback) and set off into the hills.

We immediately made ourselves right at home, soaking up the crisp, countryside air and luxuriating in the deep squishy sofas. We lit the fire, opened a bottle of wine and settled in for a cosy night beside the warming glow of the wood burner.

The next day we woke up bright and early to the sound of silence, interrupted only by birdsong. It was such a tonic after a busy few weeks in the city. After a hearty breakfast, we stepped out the front door and took the trail which leads directly from the cottage up into the hills. It’s a stunning walk, particularly in the autumn and there are numerous routes you can choose from. After a brisk stroll (with plenty of photo stops!) we headed home to the Sheep Cote, lit the fire, and spent a luxuriously lazy afternoon doing absolutely nothing. Bliss.

All in all, it was an utterly perfect weekend – made all the better for being just half an hour’s drive from the centre of Edinburgh. If you’re considering a visit to the city but you’d like a bit more space and that countryside feel, definitely consider the Pentland (and of course The Sheep Cote!) You really do get the best of both worlds that way.