The Seven Summits

Although I have lived in Edinburgh for twelve years I will be the first to admit that my knowledge of the area is poor as I generally limit myself to cycling in to work and then returning home again by the same route. So yesterday when I saw a map of Edinburgh's Seven Hills I immediately knew what I would be doing on my day off today!

I left my house at 7:30 this morning and took my usual route along Corstorphine Road but this time I turned left and took the steep Kaimes Road up towards Corstorphine Hill and its lovely broadleaf woodland. The first summit of the day was only 35 minutes from my front door. Back to Corstorphine Road and once again on the way to work, but this time I continued down Princes Street until I reached a short set of steps which led me to the summit area of Calton Hill complete with monuments, folly, observatory and even a canon. This hill with its wonderful city views was undoubtedly the highlight of my day and only twenty minutes walk from my work! My third summit of the day and next objective was Arthur's Seat which at 251 metres was the highest point of the day and the only summit that I wouldn't take my bike to the very top of. Taking the Queen's Drive I cycled gradually up to Dunsapie Loch where my bike was left and I walked the short but steep path to the top which I shared with many foreign visitors. Back down the road and once more past the controversial Scottish Parliament before the cobbled pave leading up Castle Rock which was thronged with tourists.

I headed South now, a good distance towards Blackford Hill which I eventually found after going round in circles for a bit. Braid Hills was close by and a narrow path from Braid Road soon had me at the summit complete with a Seven Hills Indicator. I was tired and thirsty and decided a trip to

Loopy Lorna's

was required and after a superb strawberry cream tea I was ready for the short cycle to Colinton Road and Glenlockhart Road where I nipped through the private Merchant's of Edinburgh Golf Course to the summit of Wester Craiglockhart which at 175 metres was my final top of the day. I looked out over Edinburgh with a degree of pride at what I had just achieved and felt great as I cycled out of the city along the Union Canal tow path which took me to the headquarters of RBS which is only one mile from the farm and home.

So what did I do?

56 kilometres or 35 miles
58 Kilometres per hour maximum (coming down Kaimes Road)
5 hours cycling or pushing where cycling on the hill wasn't possible
4191 calories
129 bpm average HR
176 bpm maximum HR (going up Kaimes Road!!!)
Proved that adventures are available as soon as you step out of your front door if you just use your imagination a bit.