Castlelaw Training Area and Ranges

The Castlelaw/Dreghorn Training Area lies immediately south of Edinburgh and is part of the Pentland Hills Regional Park.

Site Description

Castlelaw rises steeply from the valley to the northern tops of the pentland hills at about 500m. The highpoints of the Training Area give stunning views across the city, the Firth of Forth and on a clear day the highlands beyond. The area is home to some rare habitats and wildlife including small numbers of black grouse.

Although military training is the primary land use, the estate is also used for agriculture, principally sheep grazing.

Access opportunities

The Training Area lies within the Pentland Hills Regional Park and as such there are numerous tracks and undefined footpaths for walkers. The area is popular with locals and visitors to Edinburgh.

Live firing is restricted to the Live Firing Range at Castlelaw. Red flags (daytime) and red lamps (night-time) are used when firing is taking place. The public are not allowed into the Danger Area. The Firing Range is clearly demarcated by a fence.

Horse riding is now allowed on specified routes across the training area. These routes have been agreed with the British Horse Society (Scotland) and the Pentland Hills Regional Park. The routes allow riders to explore this area whilst minimising any conflict between horses and troop activity.

Please remember that dry training (Blank firing, smoke and pyrotechnics) will still occur in the training area so riders must expect sudden movement and noises. It is advised that riders wear fluorescent clothing to make themselves more visible to soldiers, see "Related pages/documnts" for Safety & Access Restrictions.

Details of a circular walk across the Pentland Hills can be found under "Related pages/documents".

Further information

Further details of the riding routes can be found on the Pentland Hills Regional Park website (see Related links") or by Tel: 0131 445 3383.

For further information on firing times contact the Castlelaw Training Area. Tel: 0131 310 4943.

OS Map References

OS Landranger Sheet 66
(Edinburgh & Midlothian Area) 1:50,000

OS Explorer Sheet 344
(Pentland Hills, Penicuik & West Linton) 1;25,000