Walks in Midlothian
Walks in Midlothian
Midlothian is a rural area located just south of Edinburgh; it is a lovely area with some great historical sites. Below is a list of some great places to see in Midlothian all within around a 20 minute or less drive from Alba Campers HQ
Most of our customers like to collect their campervan from us and head to the Scottish Highlands. This is by no means a bad idea, in fact, it is a great idea! As Scotland is such a wonderful country to holiday in with so much to explore and so much to do that you will be completely spoilt for choice however, I feel it is worth pointing out some of the fabulous places to visit that are on our doorstep in Midlothian. These could be an ideal stop at the start or end of your trip as they are so close to us here at Alba Campers.
I hope this gives some of you an idea of some of the great places to visit while in Midlothian.
Iron Mills
First on the list of places to visit in Midlothian is Iron Mills. This is a short 5-minute drive from our base at Eskbank. Iron Mills is in Dalkeith and is a lovely place for a nice walk. Iron mills gets its name because in the 17th and 18th Century Iron Mills was home to 2 Iron Foundries, with the hammers being powered by a Weir in the River Esk which can still be seen today. They supplied products for the Duke of Buccleuch. These foundries were later converted into a Mill and then also as an engine house for the water supply. They are now houses and are occupied today. The park itself is well looked after and is a common spot for dog walkers. It is surrounded by trees and has some nice woodland walks with the River Esk also passing through. If you enjoy the great outdoors and the peace and tranquillity of nature, you certainly won’t be disappointed at Iron Mills.
Rosslyn Chapel and Castle
Rosslyn Chapel is a fantastic place to visit while in Midlothian. This is around a 15-minute drive from Alba Campers. It’s extremely popular and one not to miss. The chapel is open daily, and they require bookings to be made in advance on their website. The Chapel itself was founded in 1446 by Sir William St Clair who died in 1484 before the chapel was finished. His son Sir Oliver St Clair finished the chapel however this wasn’t to his father’s original design. On the chapel’s website author Dan Brown is quoted as referring to Rosslyn Chapel as the most mysterious and magical chapel on earth. If that doesn’t say it’s worth a visit, then I’m not sure what does. Again, this one is popular with dog walkers and outdoor enthusiasts. The land surrounding the Chapel is a lovely area to explore and is steeped in history. Rosslyn Castle is only a short walk from the Chapel and boasts some interesting history. It is thought the oldest part of the Castle was built around 1304.c However the castle was developed over several centuries
Borthwick Castle
It was built in 1430 and once Home to Mary Queen of Scots, this is a Castle with a lot of interesting History. It’s a great spot to visit for a walk around. Just like at Crichton Castle you get the feeling of being transported back in time. Your imagination can run wild when you think of all the things that have gone on in and around these walls. There is damage on the East wall which can still be seen today. Historians believe this was caused by Oliver Cromwell’s cannons in 1650. It is currently only available for Private Hire, Corporate Events and Weddings. This is a real shame; however, they do have open days which is worth looking out for.
Vogrie Country Park
Vogrie is a large country park located on the B6372 between Gorebridge and Pathead and an excellent place to explore. There’s a lot of countryside paths and so much wildlife to see. Vogrie has several BBQ sites, a cafe, a golf course and a miniature railway. It’s a superb place to go in the summer months for a relaxing walk or to sit and enjoy a picnic. There is a £2 charge to park however I feel this is worth it as the park is kept in great condition.
Castlelaw Hill Fort
This is situated in the Pentland Hills and is somewhat easy to get to as you can drive up to the carpark then take a short hike up the Hill. It is quite steep so make sure to wear suitable shoes and take your time. For those keen hillwalkers that may wish to venture further afield, the Pentland Hills is a great place to traverse with some stunning views over Edinburgh. It is said that the hillfort was once home to an Iron Age community for several centuries. These days there doesn’t appear to be much to see other than the lovely views. However, there is an underground souterrain that isn’t easily visible. There are several theories as to what this was used for however, I’m not sure that an exact use has been discovered. One such theory has said it may well have been used for grain storage.
Grid reference – NT 229 638
Midlothian Snowsports Centre
At the Snowsports centre there are 2 main slopes, jump slopes and nursery slopes. This is a fantastic place to visit for those into skiing or snowboarding. There is also a tubing section for those thrill-seekers out there. The chairlift at the Snowsports centre is a fantastic way to get high up into the Pentland Hills to enjoy the lovely views or some of the walks across the Pentlands
Roslin Glen
Roslin Glen is a great place for a walk, there is a lot of wildlife and it is a lovely peaceful spot not far at all from the Chapel. Within Roslin Glen you will also find The remains of the Roslin Gunpowder Factory. Originally built in 1801 this was once the biggest gunpowder mill in Scotland. Today it is in ruins, however it is an interesting place to explore if you are a keen walker. The mill was taken over by the forestry commission when it stopped operating after the second world war. Ownership was then passed over to Midlothian Council in 1970.
Crichton Castle
Crichton Castle located in Pathhead is situated in a lovely somewhat isolated location which helps you appreciate the natural surroundings and imagine the castle as it once was, this is a great Castle to visit and is steeped in history. You really do feel like you have taken a step back in time when walking around Crichton Castle.
*Currently closed as a precautionary measure while site inspections take place*
