Hillend (Restricted)

Hillend sits on the southern edge of Edinburgh, a rare case of a soaring hill inside a major city's airspace. Pilots use the slope above the Midlothian Snowsports Centre, catching lift off the ridge that faces north across the rooftops toward the castle and the Firth of Forth beyond. At only 441 m it isn't a high-altitude site, but the payoff is the view: few paragliding launches anywhere put a capital skyline directly beneath the wing. Because Hillend lies inside Edinburgh Airport's control zone, flying here depends entirely on the access arrangement local pilots negotiated with air traffic control — a formal agreement pilots must sign and follow before launching, not a site you can just walk up and fly. Reach launch on foot up the slope behind the ski tows, or ride the chairlift most of the way. The north-facing line supports steady ridge soaring in the right wind, with thermic days adding height for those who want to work the hill longer.

Launch & conditions

Two ways up: hike directly behind the ski tows, or take the chairlift most of the way and walk the last stretch to the summit cairn, the most popular launch point for the north face.

Getting there & local rules

From the A702 south of the Edinburgh city bypass, head toward Penicuik and turn into the Midlothian Snowsports Centre (Hillend) car park.

Local rules & hazards

Hillend lies inside Edinburgh Airport's controlled airspace, so flying is only possible under the formal access agreement local pilots have arranged with air traffic control — sign and follow its current conditions before launching, and check for updates each time, since ATC terms can change.

Check conditions before you fly

A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to Hillend (Restricted), read the wind and thermals for the site itself, confirm the day's rules with the local club, and remember the standing rule — when in doubt, don't launch. In the free OutDare app you can open Hillend (Restricted) with a 7-day forecast built from high-resolution weather models, see who else has been flying, and get there with offline maps.