Scotland On Film: Easter In The Pentland Hills Near Edinburgh

The Pentland Hills near Edinburgh have quickly become one of our favourite places to spend a few days. We first stayed at Westside Woodshed, part of Eastside Cottages, during lockdown. It was the perfect retreat for a holiday, with a wood fired hot tub, gorgeous walks straight on the doorstep, and the lively city of Edinburgh less than 30 minutes away.

We went back a year later and again we had the most wonderful time. The quiet surroundings were the tonic we needed after a busy few months and the countryside provided a little sanctuary from day to day life.

So, when we got an email from Eastside Cottages with some discounted stays in March, of course we were going to take a little look. We didn’t expect the easter weekend to be available, let alone discounted. But when those dates were showing as bookable, and with an offer on, we didn’t have to do much thinking to know we were going to go for a third visit.

Before we knew it, we’d booked a 3 night stay at Westside Woodshed and had a relaxing Easter holiday to look forward to. It was also an excuse to get out my film camera (not that I need much of an excuse to do that) and shoot some more of the gorgeous Pentland Hills.

Good Friday couldn’t come quick enough but when it did, we set off early to make the journey up to Edinburgh. Instead of spending the whole day travelling up to Eastside Cottages, we decided to get a head start on the weekend and spend a few hours in the city before heading out to the countryside. We climbed up Arthur’s Seat before heading for lunchtime tacos at El Mexcita.

It was such a good way to start the weekend and worth the early alarm – sadly though I just couldn’t get my film to load in my camera. I’m not sure what I’d done but I couldn’t sort it out. 

By the time we got to Eastside Cottages though, I’d got the film loaded and I was ready to get out and get some dreamy photos.

Here’s some (taken with a Yashica T-Zoom on Kodak Gold 200) from this trip with some bonus photos from our previous stays at Westside Woodshed that are just too lovely not to share.

The Pentland Hills On Film

On our previous visits to the Pentland Hills, I also took my film cameras and got some of my favourite photos. These are a mixture of photos from an Olympus MUJI II and and Olympus OM1 on Kodak Gold 200 and Ilford HP5.

Have you ever stayed in this part of Scotland before? If not I can highly recommend it if you love having gorgeous walks right on your doorstep with the bright lights of the city less than 30 minutes away. Eastside Cottages, and especially Westside Woodshed, is the perfect base for a UK based holiday or a little romantic break for you and your loved one.