Allermuir Hill

About Allermuir Hill

Rising steeply above the thatched cottages of Swanston, this popular Pentland peak offers perhaps the finest panoramic view of Edinburgh. The grassy slopes are well-trodden, leading to a summit where the capital’s skyline, the Firth of Forth bridges, and the distant Highland peaks of Ben Lomond and Ben Ledi stretch across the horizon.

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Did You Know?

• •The name is thought to derive from the Old English 'alr' (alder tree) and 'mōr' (moorland), reflecting the scrubby vegetation that once lined the burns flowing from its lower slopes.
• •Robert Louis Stevenson, who spent his summers at nearby Swanston Cottage, often climbed these slopes; his writing frequently drew inspiration from the 'hills of home' and the distinctive profile of Allermuir.
• •The summit features a mountain indicator that helps walkers identify landmarks ranging from the nearby Lammermuir Hills and the Bass Rock to the distant peaks of the Southern Uplands and the Ochils.
• •Classified as a Marilyn, it possesses enough prominence to stand out as a significant landmark in the range, despite being lower than the neighbouring Scald Law.
• •The hill is a popular starting point for those traversing the Pentland ridge toward Caerketton Hill, which is famous for its phonolite scree slopes and Iron Age hill fort remains.
• •On a Saturday morning, the summit is one of the few places in Scotland where you can overhear a detailed discussion regarding the merits of a flat white while standing in a gale-force wind.