Battle of Rullion Breen and Martyrs Monument Loop

This roughly 6 km / 3.7 mile loop in the Pentland Hills packs a lot into a relatively short outing: open hill paths, broad views over Midlothian and Edinburgh’s southern edge, and one of the most historically charged spots in the range. With around 200 m / 656 ft of ascent, it sits well in the medium category. The gradients are never alpine, but there are enough steady climbs and exposed sections to make it feel like a proper hill walk rather than a casual park stroll. The route is best approached as a half-day hike, allowing time to stop at the monument, take in the battlefield setting, and navigate carefully where paths split across open ground. The Battle of Rullion Green and Martyrs Monument Loop is associated with Rullion Green in the Pentland Hills Regional Park, near Penicuik, Midlothian, with the Martyrs’ Monument standing on the slopes above the old battlefield. (pentlandhills.org)

The nearest significant landmark for the hike start is Flotterstone, on the A702 south of Edinburgh, which is the usual access point for walks to the Martyrs’ Monument and Rullion Green. If you are driving, Flotterstone is the most practical target for parking and trail access in this part of the Pentlands. If you are using public transport, the Pentland Hills Regional Park advises visitors to use bus access where possible because parking can be limited across the park; Flotterstone is one of the standard gateways into the hills from Edinburgh and the A702 corridor. (pentlandhills.org)

What the route feels like

From the lower access paths near Flotterstone, the walk begins gently before climbing onto more open hillside. Expect a mix of estate tracks, hill paths, and occasionally rougher or wetter ground depending on recent weather. In dry conditions, the loop is straightforward for regular walkers, but after rain the Pentlands can become muddy, especially on worn lines across grass and peatier patches. Good waterproof footwear is a sensible choice even for a short route.

The first part of the walk usually feels sheltered compared with the upper slopes, but once you gain height the landscape opens quickly. The Pentlands are rounded rather than jagged, yet they are exposed, and wind can be a bigger factor than the distance suggests. A 6 km / 3.7 mile loop here can feel much more serious in poor weather, especially if low cloud reduces visibility around the monument and surrounding ridges. For navigation, it is worth checking the route carefully in HiiKER before setting out, particularly because multiple intersecting paths and access tracks can make short loops easy to overshoot in mist.

As the route rises, the views broaden across the eastern Pentlands and toward the settled lowlands beyond. The terrain around Rullion Green is not especially technical, but the combination of open hillside, weather exposure, and short steep pulls means walkers should pace themselves on the ascent. The total climb of about 200 m / 656 ft is spread across the loop rather than concentrated in one long haul, so it is manageable for most reasonably fit hikers.

Historical significance

This is one of the most important historical landscapes in the Pentland Hills. The route passes through the area of the Battle of Rullion Green, fought on 28 November 1666, the first and only battle of the Pentland Rising. The Covenanters, who had marched in resistance to religious persecution and interference with Presbyterian worship, were defeated here by government forces under General Tam Dalziel. The battlefield is nationally significant in Scottish religious and political history, and the monument commemorates those killed in the fighting. (pentlandhills.org)

The Martyrs’ Monument, also referred to as the Martyr’s Tomb or Covenanters’ Monument, stands near the battlefield and is the emotional focal point of the walk. It is not a huge structure in dramatic isolation, but that restraint suits the setting. The surrounding slopes help explain the battle itself: this is ground shaped by ridges, open approaches, and limited shelter, and the topography still gives a strong sense of why the engagement unfolded here. The western flank of Lawhead Hill is specifically associated with the Covenanter position and with the location of the monument today. (trove.scot)

Beyond the 1666 battle, the wider Pentland Hills have a long human story, from early settlement and farming to drove roads and later reservoir development. That broader context adds depth to the walk: even on a short loop, you are moving through a landscape shaped for centuries by grazing, movement across the hills, and conflict over land, faith, and access. (pentlandhills.org)

Nature, landscape, and wildlife

The scenery is classic Pentland upland country: rounded hills, rough grassland, heather in places, and open moorland textures rather than dense woodland. Depending on season,