Scroggy Hill, Monk Rig and Cap Law Loop

This is a compact Pentland Hills circuit that packs a lot into roughly 6 to 6.5 km (3.7 to 4 miles), with about 200 to 250 metres of ascent (656 to 823 feet), making it a solid medium-grade outing rather than a casual stroll. The route starts near Nine Mile Burn, off the A702, at the small parking area by the cottages on the sharp bend, with the commonly used start grid reference NT177577. Public transport is possible via bus to Nine Mile Burn, while drivers usually approach from the A702 between Edinburgh and Biggar. (walkhighlands.co.uk)

The first section leaves the roadside through a gate and climbs steadily on the old Monks Road, a historic route that once linked Newhall Monastery with South Queensferry on the Forth. That early ascent is straightforward but immediately gives a sense of open country: fields give way to moorland, the gradient builds gradually, and the route begins to feel more exposed as height is gained. For hikers planning their day, this means windproof layers are often useful even when conditions seem mild at the start. (walkhighlands.co.uk)

What the route feels like

The walk is mostly on clear hill paths, but there are wet sections and a generally noted bog factor, especially around lower crossings and after rain. The climb is not especially technical, though the combination of open moorland, stiles, gates, and damp ground means waterproof footwear is a sensible choice for much of the year. The route’s highest point is Cap Law at 497 metres (1,631 feet), and although the total ascent is moderate, the exposed ridge and rolling terrain can make it feel a little bigger than the raw numbers suggest. (walkhighlands.co.uk)

After the initial field and fence-line climbing, the route opens onto higher ground with increasingly wide views. One notable feature on the ascent is an old stone marked on maps as a font, thought possibly to have been the base of a cross. That small detail adds a strong sense of age to the landscape, reinforcing that this is not just a hill circuit but a route passing through ground shaped by centuries of travel, grazing, and local religious history. (walkhighlands.co.uk)

As the ridge develops, Quarrel Burn Reservoir becomes visible behind, and West Kip appears ahead as one of the most striking nearby hills. The line over Scroggy Hill, Monk Rig, and Cap Law is broad rather than dramatic, but it gives classic Pentlands scenery: rounded uplands, open skies, rough grass, heather, and long views across the surrounding straths and toward the Moorfoot Hills. (walkhighlands.co.uk)

Landmarks, terrain, and navigation

Cap Law is the high point and the key landmark of the loop. From there, the route descends toward the bealach below West Kip before turning onto the return line signed for Nine Mile Burn by Braid Law. This middle-to-late section contours the hillside, passes scattered woodland on Cap Law’s flank, and then climbs gently again toward the col between Braid Law and the Cap Law ridge. That change in direction is worth watching carefully in poor visibility, because the broad hill ground can feel less obvious when cloud drops. If using digital navigation, plan the route in HiiKER before setting out. (walkhighlands.co.uk)

The descent crosses the Quarrel Burn, where the ground can be particularly wet before the route regains fences, stiles, and the outward track. In dry weather this is usually just a mildly muddy finish; after prolonged rain it can become one of the messier parts of the day. Trekking poles can help with balance on the damp descent and at the burn crossing, especially for hikers carrying a heavier daypack. (walkhighlands.co.uk)

The place-names themselves add character to the walk. Scroggy Hill is associated with rough, scrubby, overgrown ground, while Monks’ Rig is thought to refer to monks connected with the medieval hospice at Spittal or another nearby ecclesiastical foundation. Cap Law is generally interpreted as a hill with a distinct top