Skid Hill, Garleton Hills

The Garleton Hills form a natural barrier between North Berwick and Haddington and you really can’t miss them on account of Hopetoun Monuent (Or Rapunzels Tower as I like to call it) jabbing sharply into the skyline from its elevated position (I have already written a walk all about that one- make sure you check it out, it is an absolute family favourite!). A windy road cuts right through the middle of the hills, known locally as the Camptoun Road. I wouldn’t attempt it in deep mid winter, but the rest of the time it makes for a scenic alternative to Ballencrief or East Fortune. Along this road are a few small layby’s which serve as parking spaces for direct access to the Garleton hills.

For Skid Hill, the easiest direct access is from the first layby on your right as you approach from the North Berwick side. As you see the trig point in front of you, ignore the turnoff to the right (that takes you to Hopetoun Monument and Chesters Hill Fort) and continue straight on, the layby is immediately on the right after that ‘big bend’. There is a metal cattle gate, and a small brick shelter is just visible maybe 50 yards down a dirt road. You can of course park in one of the laybys further down- just head to this access point to start the walk.

The view from the layby, the walk starts on the left out of shot

I have only done this walk once, but I have spent enough time in the vicinity to know that there is a high chance of livestock in this area- sheep, cows, and horses. On this occasion I couldn’t face being dragged about the hill so unusually, I left the dogs at home. There is no stile at this particular access point so you are going to need to hop the fence. Stay on the access road and follow the dirt track up to the first of two small abandoned buildings. These are both pretty good for a snoop, if like me you cant help yourself when it comes to a bit of urban exploring! They are empty and dilapidated, with the usual graffiti and empty bottles- nice little photo op though which is something I always appreciate on my walks (usually as Hubs stands well away tutting at me!). The road winds away to the right just past the second building, and once more, being the nosy wee ghet that I am(!) I followed it just to see where it leads. The answer is, to an old quarry carved into the side of the hill, not visible from the roadway so it took me by surprise. Great ugly, grey cliffs and a large empty space where there should be grass and heather, gorse and trees... pretty depressing to be honest, though I am think it is probably out of commission now.

Anyway, you don’t actually need to take that mini diversion to the quarry- instead carry on until you reach the next gate and again hop this one. It looks here as if you can head up the hill on your right whilst staying on this side but DO NOT DO IT- we did this initially and pretty quickly I found myself at the top of the quarry cliff on the wrong side of the fence- not ideal with a toddler in tow- we had to barrel-roll under the fence to get to the other side. Far better just to hop the gate at the bottom first!

Once you have hopped the fence you will find yourself in a big undulating field, Skid hill rising formidably to the right, and smaller hills to the left. Head to the right and start the short climb, you will soon be rewarded with fabulous views over to Hopetoun Monument on the adjacent hill- you can actually reach it from here, and there are a few easy access points to the Hopetoun walk if you did fancy doing it that way. To summit Skid Hill however, just hang a right and keep climbing (stay away from that quarry edge!). You can't miss the Trig Point. It is a rewarding one with wonderful, undisturbed views out to the sea and the rest of the Garleton Hills behind. You can see out to Barnes Castle at Athestaneford, and the familiar aesthetic checkerboard pattern of East Lothian’s barley and veg fields. It is not very high, in the grand scheme of Scottish hills, but high enough for that coastal wind to whip up that familiar outdoor endorphin rush! It is exposed but on a warm day, I am certain it must be a lovely spot for a picnic. I get the impression that you will always find peace here, it is not a popular, busy place.

Head back down the way you came but at the bottom, don’t climb the gate. Instead continue past and climb the small gorse-covered hillock on the other side. Here, we encountered a small, wary herd of rustic-looking horned sheep. They were clearly curious of my little Ozzi but had no intention of getting anywhere near us. Happy little guys, free-ranging in their massive, rugged field- things I like to see! This is worth the detour because on the other side of the hill is a small lake, fenced off in a separate field. We tried to access it from a few different angles but I get the impression that the landowner is not keen- there is a lot of barbed wire making it an almost impossible task, and I respect that, because even from this distance I could tell that this is one for the wildlife. Ducks and swans, unbothered by human interaction just moseying about their daily business... there is probably not enough of that in the world any more, so my advice is to appreciate the view and be content with a photo from here. The top of your little hill conveniently curls itself round and back to the gate at the parking layby so just follow it round, enjoying some of the best views of the whole walk, right back to the way home.

Looking down towards the layby- the path winds round on the right just pass that gorse and down straight to the gate

This is not a long or difficult walk on its own, a good one if you are short of time but in need of a quick summit buzz! I feel like I still have lot more exploring to do around the Garleton Hills so if you have any specific route recommendations, please do let me know…

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