Ettrick Pen is an easy paragliding site with an altitude of 613 meters. It is occasionally used and offers many takeoff options, although no flight logs have been found, suggesting it may be primarily for soaring.
Site Status: Open
Location Info:
- Grid Reference: NT197075
- OS Landranger: 79; Hawick & Eskdale
- Latitude: 55.35419
- Longitude: -3.26882
Wind:
- Direction: SE
- Best Direction: SE
Height:
- ASL: 1980ft, 609m
- Top to Bottom: 738ft, 227m (Back to Potsburn road)
Road Access:
From the B7009 / 709 Selkirk to Eskdalemuir road via Ettrick Bridge, continue past the Tushielaw Inn. Bear right at the next obvious junction to Boston Memorial Hall and Ettrickhill on a minor single track road. Continue to the head of the valley.
Parking:
- Grid Reference: NT189092
Park in the obvious area at the top of the valley before the gates at Potburn. Do not block access to the gates as heavy transport, tractors, and log lorries may use the road. Do not take vehicles past the gates even if they are unlocked, as retrieving them if the gates are locked may be difficult.
Take-Off:
- Grid Reference: NT197075
Follow the new forestry road and Southern Upland Way along the Ettrick Water to Over Phawhope Bothy (NT 181081). After the bothy, bear ESE, cross the burn via the footbridge, and follow the obvious track to NT181082. At the top of the track, bear east following the quad bike track to the obvious saddle west of Ettrick Pen. Cross the border fence via the gate and select a suitable take-off point on the ridge.
Landing:
Bottom landing below the take-off is not advised due to extensive forestry plantations, even where these have been clear-felled. Either top or slope land at take-off, or, if sufficient height has been gained, land back in the Ettrick Valley at Over Phawhope Bothy or Potburn turning. Beware of turbulence and valley winds if taking this option.
Flying:
This site offers excellent flying conditions with a clear view to the Lakes and a 5.5km ridge from Ettrick Pen to Cowan Fell. There is XC potential westwards following the ridge into Dumfriesshire and the A74, northwards to Bodesbeck, the Moffat Valley and beyond, or northeast along the Ettrick or Yarrow valleys to Selkirk, Melrose, and the coast.
Hazards:
- Check NOTAM, CANP essential if flying mid-week as this area is used for low-flying exercises by military fast jets.
- Wind may funnel through gaps in the ridge; do not get blown back with insufficient height to avoid turbulence.
- If bottom landing near the parking area, beware of turbulence and valley winds.
Notes:
- Park sensibly and do not block access gates or tracks.
- Do not take vehicles onto the forestry road (Authorized Vehicles Only); you will need a thermic lance to retrieve them later.
For more information, visit: [Wingbeat Paragliding - Ettrick Pen](http://www.wingbeat-paragliding.co.uk/index.php/sites/ettrick-pen)
Watch a video of the site: [YouTube Video](
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