Natural and cultural history

The Pentland Hills have historically been a source of inspiration to some of Scotland's most celebrated artists, poets and authors. 

Allan Ramsay based The Gentle Shepherd at Habbie's Howe near Carlops.

Robert Ferguson: perhaps Robert was thinking of the Pentlands in his wintery poem, The Daft Days.

Sir Walter Scott took inspiration from Carnethy Hill:

"I think I never saw anything more beautiful then 
the ridge of Carnethy against a clear frosty sky, 
with its peaks and varied slopes. 
The hills glowed like purple amethyst; 
the sky glowed topaz and vermillion colours. 
I never saw a finer screen than Pentland, 
considering that it is neither rocky or elevated."

Robert Louis Stevenson: residing at his summer home at Swanston, Robert used the Pentland Hills in numerous peoems at the beginning and end of his literary life.

Will H Ogilvie - took inspiration from the Pentlands to write, 'In Pentland Wine'.

For more information about these and other Scottish writers, visit the Writers Museum in Lady Stairs Close, Edinburgh.