On a dry but breezy morning thirteen members of Biggar Ramblers were joined by four from the Balerno group for a walk from Kirknewton to explore Kaimes and Dalmahoy hills.

The walk started at Kirknewton Pavilion and on to the Kirknewton House estate and the Burial Ground Wood, resting place of generations of the Maconochies of Meadowbank. After hearing a little of the history of the Maconochies, the walk headed up into Kaimes wood where, as expected, the group found a considerable number of trees had fallen in the recent storm. After a refreshing coffee break, the path was taken up to Kaimes Hill, an impressive large igneous rocky outcrop. 

Kaimes Hill was the site of a 5,000-year-old fortified hill fort with ramparts and hut circles before it was extensively quarried in the 1940's and 60's. This hill and the nearby Dalmahoy hill afforded great views of the surrounding area, over to the bridges, Arthur's seat and the Pentlands (Berwick Law could even be seen in the distance). 

After coming back down from the hills, a sheltered spot was found for lunch, after which it was a straightforward return along a track and across the estate, ending back at the pavilion.