The hills start at the edge of town.
- Local authority
- Midlothian Council
- Postcode district
- EH26
- From Edinburgh
- 9 mi south
- Main roads
- the A701, the A766 and John Street
- Where dogs walk
- the edge of the Pentland Hills Regional Park, the North Esk and the reservoir paths
Sheep graze on much of the ground above Penicuik, and lambs arrive in spring. The regional park asks owners to keep dogs on a lead during lambing, and a dog off the lead near ewes and lambs can cause serious harm. A leave-it that works every time, built long before you reach the hills, is the foundation for walking here.
Reservoirs lie in the hills nearby, with open water, shore paths and large numbers of birds. Cold water and steep banks make swimming risky, and ground-nesting birds breed in the heather and rough grass in spring. Keep dogs close and on paths, and use a long line while recall is being built.
The North Esk runs through the area, with woodland paths and old mill sites. Mud is a feature in wet weather, and the paths can be steep and slippery after rain. A harness and a loose lead help on slopes, and a towel and a dry coat in the car make wet days more comfortable.
In town, the main road carries traffic in and out of the hills and the roads are busy at school times. A sit at the kerb, a short lead on the pavement and rewards for walking beside you all keep walks safe. Winters are cold and dark, with ice on the hill roads, so a good grip, a light and warm coats for thin-coated dogs matter.
General estimates in pounds. The trainer you choose sets the final price.
Obedience Programmes£300 to £800 per programme→In-Home Visits£50 to £100 per visit→Private Lessons£40 to £80 per lesson→Getting started, step by step.
- Note down what your dog finds hard, such as stairs, cobbled streets, other dogs, fireworks or being left.
- Ask each trainer how they teach, whether they work near Penicuik and what they do when a dog becomes overwhelmed.
- Pick one cue and repeat it every day on your usual walk around the edge of the Pentland Hills Regional Park, the North Esk and the reservoir paths for a fortnight.
Nearby communities. Also in this guide.
Local resources. Learn more about Penicuik.
How to use these pages
Local detail. Plain limits.
From K9PN. See the Disclaimer for details.
Good questions
Before you begin.
Do I need to put my dog on a lead in the Pentland Hills?
The regional park asks owners to keep dogs on a lead during the spring lambing season and near livestock at any time. Read local signs and follow the Access Code.
What if my dog chases sheep?
Do not let it. Keep the dog on a lead near any livestock, practise leave-it away from sheep first and talk to a trainer if the habit is strong.
Is swimming in the reservoirs safe?
Cold water, steep banks and sudden drops make it risky. Keep your dog on a lead near open water and call it away from the edge.