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Scratch the surface of the Pentlands and it bleeds history. The hill tops are littered with archaeological remains, most notably Castlelaw Fort and Souterrain, Caerketton Hill and Lawhead Hill forts with Cairns on Carnethy, and the East and West Cairn Hills at Harperigg. The Pentlands would have been settled from earliest times, with the Gododdin or Votadini the dominant Celtic tribe of the Lothians most probably settling, farming and defending their upland and fertile territories. These peoples would have witnessed the arrival of the Romans, with whom they co-existed, as Agricola’s army built their base at Cramond in AD 79. Medieval Pentlands saw Sir Henri de Brad, the 12th Century Sheriff of Edinburgh, taking hunting parties over his lands around Glencorse. Robert the Bruce also frequented the area with his dogs, as he pursued the white stag. The Pentland Hills Producers' signboard at Kirkton Farm will tell you more of that story. In Blaeu’s early map of Scotland
(1654) we learn of a rich, fertile and populous region. He described
this areas thus: The Pentland rising of 1666 culminated in the Battle of Rullion Green. On a bleak November day over 50 Covenaters were killed at the hands of General Tam Dalziel of The Binns’s army, as they fought to exercise their presbyterian faith. A memorial and plaque can be seen near the battlesite. Drove roads are an abiding legacy of historical farming traditions. These routes were used to drive cattle to and from markets (trysts) in West Linton, Biggar and Falkirk. The Cauldstane Slap was one of the most heavily used routes witnessing 150,000 head of cattle in one year. Water supply developments began in the Pentlands as early as the 17th century with the construction of the cistern at Swanston. However construction began in earnest during the 19th Century with most of the Parks remaining reservoirs built during that time. Much of the social history of folk who have lived and worked in the Pentlands has been recorded by the Regional Park. They tell of the tough life of shepherds and farmers and the conditions and changes they have witnessed in the hills. Articles relating to these topics appear regularly in the Pentland Beacon. The Regional Park has 12 Scheduled Ancient Monuments and a number of listed buildings within it. We inherit a rich and interesting history. Enjoy and explore it.
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