Harlaw reservoir (not shown above)

A fun family trip to Harlaw reservoir in the Pentlands today.

Only 20 minutes drive from Edinburgh city centre and you can be somewhere like this. (That it took another 30 minutes either side to pack and unpack is another story.)

Harlaw reservoir was built in the 19th century as storage to control the flow down the Water of Leith which, in the old days, had a string of mills down its banks. Nowadays there are of course no mills but its waters are still released from time to time into the little river when it fills up.

It's surrounded by a well-maintained trail which is popular with dog walkers, hikers and horse owners.

The boys had our bikes and the girls took a more leisurely pace round its circumference. My son's cycling abilities attracted a few 'coos' from passing families.

"Look at that wee boy - he can ride a bike already".

"It's about time we took the stabilisers off your bike".

Naturally I was beaming with pride.

What a beautiful day.