Wilson was born at Crosshouse Farm, in the Pentland Hills south of Edinburgh
not far from Penicuik.
He lived there only until he was four but apparently retained strong links
to this part of Scotland all his life. In retirement he lived in
the village of Carlops, just a few miles away.
Crosshouse Farm lies at the foot of Castlelaw, a modest summit but a notable viewpoint and the site of a hillfort and Iron Age souterrain. The image here shows the view East from Castlelaw. Crosshouse Farm house is mostly hidden among the trees at the foot of the hill. Wilson presumably knew this view very well, although I guess there are more buildings now than in the 1950s.