The third and final section of The Way takes the walker from Flotterstone to Swanston.
This is the shortest section of The Way, approximately 5 kilometres, but it is the most varied part of the route. Its highlight is the great view from the summit of Allermuir over Scotland’s capital and the spectacular panorama to the north. It ends at the picturesque hamlet of Swanston and its association with Robert Louis Stevenson.
A choice of waymarked routes enable the walker a) to avoid the Kirkburn path (round the western flank of Castlelaw) which, though offering outstanding views over Loganlee and the Pentland Range is often very boggy and b) to avoid Allermuir altogether. These include
- Castlelaw to Allermuir via Castlelaw Hill Fort to Fala Knowe avoiding the Kirkburn path
- Castlelaw to Hillend via Castlelaw Hill Fort, Tytler memorial, Boghall and Erraid Wood
Descending Allermuir an optional path leads to Hillend, Lothianburn and the A702 at the entrance road for Hillend Ski Slope, the terminus of the no 4 bus service.
Downloadable (pdf) version of the map.
Sights along the way (& short detours) are described in separate sections:
{Dunsyre to Carlops} <> {Carlops to Flotterstone} <> Flotterstone / Glencorse <> Allermuir <> Swanston
The variety of routes between Flotterstone / Glencorse and Swanston / Hillend means a circular walk can be tackled form either point.
