Turf Blog 24-10-24

In my Turf Blog of 19-10-24, I set out to find the source of the fabled Brunstane Burn from the Firth of Forth at Portobello promenade all the way to the misty Pentland Hills, temporarily halting my quest at the A720 City Bypass, to be continued at a later date on a more suitable steed. Today, I started a similar quest, this time to find the source of the Figgate Burn, also ending at the sea in Portobello, not far from the Brunstane Burn and which also has its beginnings in the Pentland Hills. This route runs for around 9-miles and has around 30 zones along the way, depending on how far from the route you decide to venture.

It is said, usually in the darkest corners of the more questionable drinking establishments in Edinburgh, that the water from the mystical spring that gives rise to the Figgate Burn is said to have unusual properties. Some say anyone who drinks the not-very-crystal-clear water will have the gift of second sight and magical powers of healing. Others say you will need both those qualities if you drink untreated water from a spring below a hillside populated with sheep, rabbits, deer, and wild haggis who enjoy the occasional curry. But then again, some people will say anything.

Our voyage of discovery starts at zone BottleKilns, the remnants of a once thriving brick making and ceramic industry of days gone by. Following Harbour Road and then Bridge Street, keeps the Figgate Burn on our right but we soon lose sight of it as it vanished underground. It soon emerges out of sight behind some houses but we can pick it up again in Rosefield Park, where I forgot to take zone Rosefieldzone, for some unknown reason. Then, after a hazardous crossing of Sir Harry Lauder Road (when I should have used the pedestrian bridge!) we re-join the Figgate Burn again in Figgate Park.

Turf Zone – Hermitage

Figgate Park offers three easy zones along the footpath which parallels the burn. Then about half an along an encounter with one strange old lady and two dogs. So, I’m riding along and spot her ahead and ring my bell. No response, so I slow down and ring again, louder this time. Still no response. So, I slow to walking pace and shout, “bike behind you”. She stops, replies no problem, and I ride slowly past.

However, one crazy mutt, which looked like a Border collie-Labrador cross decides otherwise and takes a mouthful of my foot and pedal. Thankfully, it’s on a leash and is pulled off. I stopped and looked back to see the old lady talking gibberish to the dogs and giving them doggy treats. Thought about remonstrating with her but decided not worth the bother. Anyway, no harm done and I’m not going to let things like this spoil my day.

At Duddingston, we lose sight of the Figgate Burn to a golf course, the burn lost behind tall fences and fairways. So, we have to detour down to the Innocent Cycle Path (also named National Cycle Network routes 1 and 76), following this route to Prestonfield. Don’t take the Innocent Cycle Path towards the city centre ‘cos that’s the wrong way! Somewhere on the golf course the Figgate Burn becomes the Braid Burn. At Prestonfield we now follow the Braid Burn, taking the very rough degraded road feeding the industrial estate. Lots of ambulances buzzing about here, must be their base.

The Braid Burn now crosses Peffermill playing fields and no access means another detour, this time along to zone Pefferwiesser, then follow the path to Old Dalkeith Road. Here we can pick up the burn again but only for a short distance, taking zone NorthInchPark before the burn vanished under the shopping centre. Following the burn as best we can the next zone is BurningBraid by the traffic lights.

Following the Braid Burn now become much simpler as the path now runs alongside the burn all the way to the A720 City Bypass, where like the Figgate Burn followed previously, it splits into various tributaries. First section is Hermitage of Braid, with pleasant leafy trails popular with dog walkers, runners, cyclists and folk out for a stroll. Even during the week, it can be very busy and the trail is very rough and eroded in places where the Braid Burn has burst its banks and flooded the path.

Turf Zone – AgassizRock

One place worth looking at is located at zone AgassizRock. The zone takes its name from Agassiz Rock, named after Swiss geologist Louis Agassiz who visited the site in 1840 and noted the scratch marks on the polished and striated undercut base of the cliff was the result of the action of glaciation. Sadly, now no longer readily visible due to erosion and rock climbing.

It’s pleasant easy cycling from now on, though Braidburn Valley park, onwards through Colinton Mains, into Redford Woods and finally into Covenanter’s Wood. Now we have a choice to make. Not far back downstream the Braid Burn changes its name to the Bonaly Burn and we are also faced with the decision to follow a tributary, the Howden Burn, or follow the Bonaly Burn.

Turf Zone – BypassStile

The Howden Burn offers up a zone called OhWellDonald, so might as well check it out and take the zone. It vanished under the A720 in a tiny wee culvert and maps show it continues for a mile or so into the Pentlands. Also has two further zones along its path so worth following another day. Back to the Bonaly Burn, we have better luck here with a pedestrian underpass taking us under the A720 to zone BypassStile. It also continues into the Pentland Hills, all the way to Bonaly reservoir, all be it with various name changes, tributaries to choose from and three zones for the taking. Enough for a full day’s mountain biking fun on another session. Back soon.

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